Ponyboy is smart because he reads a lot and takes school seriously.
Unlike some greasers, Ponyboy values school. His older brother Darry also places an emphasis on school. When their parents died, Darry was left to care for Soda and Pony. Soda was also smart, but school was not his things. Teachers did not understand him. Pony, on the other hand, did well in school.
