This fall, 12-year-old Caleb Anderson is expected to gain admission into the prestigious university, Georgia Tech. He plans on pursuing his dreams in aerospace engineering.  This tween has everybody’s jaw-dropping from his outstanding educational performance.

Caleb’s advanced knowledge and his ability to assess and retain knowledge was first recognized when he was just an infant. At 4 weeks old he began mimicking his mother’s speech. He was so young and his comprehension of intelligence just continued to grow. Then when he was just 3 years old he was accepted into MENSA, which is a non-profit organization available for people who score at the 98th percentile on a supervised IQ intelligence test. In addition to English, Caleb has become excellently fluent in Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Sign Language. When he was on his way to middle school it was clear that his teenage classmates were not welcoming nor were they supportive of his high aptitude. Even so, he was determined to prove them all wrong and continued with his dream. Finally, at 11, he earned his high school diploma, with him on his way to Chattahoochee Technical College.

His parents Clair and Kobi Anderson have had quite an influence on him, throughout his journey. Claire and Kobi didn’t force Caleb into doing anything he wasn’t mentally prepared to do. As Caleb stated to NPR, “One day I came to my mom and she asked me, ‘Are you happy here?’ and I said, ‘No, I’m really bored. This isn’t challenging me.” His parents stated that they raised him not only to do well in school, but to be a kind, and respectful child. 

While most kids Caleb’s age are dreaming of a chance to go into space, Caleb is working hard to make his dream of sending people off to space safely come true. Currently, Caleb is in his Sophomore year of college, and according to his professors at Chattahoochee Technical college he has been soaring through his classes. Now Caleb is looking to transfer to Georgia Tech to complete his final years of college.

As previously mentioned Caleb had a couple of issues with students resentful of his educational mastery, but he also had experienced racial and stereotypical discrimination. Even at his age, Caleb is in acknowledgment of the walls that society has put around him. So far Caleb has broken these barriers for him and thousands of others as well. 

It’s pretty interesting to know how others feel about how a tween younger than us can surpass us on such academic levels at a young age. Although people may be envious there is no doubt that everyone will support and wish him the best. For example, Lillie Tetzlaff (9) states, “Caleb must have worked extremely hard to get where is currently, considering he’s about 6-7 years ahead of us”

This well-rounded boy is well on his way to making history, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop him. He has surpassed age, racial, and stereotypical discrimination and he should be sure to know that there will be more coming his way. So if he can do it once he can do it again. He is bringing his story into the light and will inspire many others to do the same as well.