In this article, the author discusses the meaning and importance of high grades and high achievement in terms of giftedness. She offers some reasons to tell children about the importance of school achievement. She suggests that good grades are no guarantee of eventual adult success, whether that is defined as a high income or a rewarding, productive career. The development of talent, including academic talent, requires more than just school achievement, and parents may need to intervene when school programs are not appropriately challenging for gifted students. But, learning what it takes to be excellent in something, whether that involves persistence, time management, study skills, ability to focus and minimize distractions, dedicated practice, or all of these, is critically important to kids' futures.