@mathyone They are certainly not overstated in our highly competitive area. The number of kids participating in select sports and ECs like piano/dance competitions is staggering. In one local school there are at least a hundred kids doing the IB diploma, most aiming for elite schools, and that’s not even the best high school in the area.
Lack of challenge for gifted kids is another issue and I agree that too, is a big problem, especially at the K-8 level. In our district we constantly have to fight the district and the schools to get proper challenge for gifted kids, especially in math and science. The liberal left and their love of “equality” i.e. equal outcome, is preventing too many of our gifted children from reaching their true potential, and we are paying the price as a country. I love Charles Murray’s book “Real Education”.