Madison Meeks – Opinion Editor

mvm7037@psu.edu

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA – 9-year-old David Balogun has become one of history’s youngest high school graduates. Balogun started at Reach Cyber Charter School based in Harrisburg but tested out of elementary and middle school soon after. He then began to complete the high school curriculum. 

Balogun stated to ABC-WHTM that he had “finished eighth grade in two-and-a-half-months and then started high school.”

The 9-year-old claims that he was able to excel at a faster pace than his peers in school due to his online attendance. He attended classes from the comfort of his own home in Bensalem, a suburb outside of Philadelphia.

Historically, Balogun is one of the youngest children to graduate from high school. After finishing his education, he has already decided what he wants to do as a career, telling WGAL, “I want to be an astrophysicist, and I want to study black holes and supernovas.” 

Balogun’s parents said it is challenging to raise a child with David’s level of extraordinary intelligence. David is a member of the highly intellectual group MENSA. Britannica says Mensa is “an organization of individuals with high IQs that aim to identify, understand, and support intelligence.” 

Mensa is also one of the oldest and largest high-intelligence organizations. Balogun is currently studying at Bucks County Community College while his family researches other higher education opportunities that can support his extraordinary intelligence and continue to challenge him.