>'calculus at age 8 is unusual.'

It is, but it shouldn't be. I taught my niece calculus, programming, foreign languages (mostly swear words, her mom got mad!) She was like a sponge and just soaked it all up, I made it fun and she loved it.

I think all kids have that potential but the education system lets them down, class sizes are too big and can only go as far as the curriculum or slowest kid there.