David Balogun, a nine-year-old Nigerian living in Pennsylvania, United States of America, has become one of the world’s youngest high school graduates.
Balogun received his high school diploma from Reach Cyber Charter School in Harrisburg after taking classes remotely, according to the UK Guardian.
The student, who enjoys science and computer programming, has also begun accumulating college credits.
Because of the achievement, Oldest.org, a history and culture website, has added Balogun to its list of the youngest known children to ever graduate from high school.
In an interview, Balogun said he already knew what he wanted to dedicate his professional life to once he completed his education.
“I want to be an astrophysicist, and I want to study black holes and supernovas,” he said.
Balogun’s parents said it was challenging to raise a child with such an extraordinary intellect.
“I had to get outside of the box: playing pillow fights when you’re not supposed to, throwing the balls in the house,” said Ronya, David’s mother.
“He’s a nine-year-old with the brain that has the capacity to understand and comprehend a lot of concepts beyond his years and sometimes beyond my understanding.”
Balogun credited some of his teachers with helping him progress.
Balogun, who is now a member of Mensa, an intelligence society, has already finished one semester at Bucks County Community College.
Michael Kearney, who set the Guinness World Record for the youngest high school graduate in 1990, is the only person younger than Balogun on the Oldest.org list.
Balogun is higher on the list than Ronan Farrow, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who graduated from high school at the age of 11.