Maybe this falls under a different subject heading…something like “Pushing your Kids in Academics” or maybe it has been discussed already but I want to share a story with you…
My 17 year old niece is quite intelligent. She has been from day one. So much so that she skipped SnrKG and went into grade one because she was in a private school and the possibility was there. Unfortunately they set her back when she was to start high school (grade 9) because she was not “old enough” to be there yet. They suggested that she spend another year in grade eight but we took her travelling with us instead.
When she was selecting subjects for grade 10 her parents asked me to intervene and review her choices. Turns out she was in general level classes and targetting a career in Advertising. Go figure 
Hubby and I both thought that this would be such a waste of a mind and embarked upon a week long campaign to make her see other options. We recommended careers in science (i.e. physician, research scientist, bio-chem etc.) and in political science and law. She was totally astounded that we thought she could accomplish this. Turned out over the years with nobody to push her she had let herself relax. In this relaxed mode her perception of herself had changed to what was considered normal amongst her peers.
Because she would have to go to university and not just college to reach the goals we were recommending she would have to take advanced level sciences, english and maths. It also meant that she would need to take summer school to play catch up. She was sure that she could not endure all this.
I told her that we would get her tutors when required and that I would convince her parents to let her take the piano lessons that she had been pining for for months. As long as she stayed in the academic path leading to a professional career I would support her musical interests.
She agreed.
Today she is finishing her final year of high school and headed towards a career in Neurology insha-Allah. Her average grade in math and science related subjects is 90 and above.
She has had to work hard and we have had to bribe her a bit 
; but she is continuing to excel and has changed her perception of herself to a great degree.