Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is home to a 9-year-old who has already completed high school and enrolled in college.

David Balogun tested out of elementary and middle school shortly after enrolling at the Reach Cyber Charter School in Harrisburg and began his high school studies.

Although going early to college was not young David’s original plan, he changed his mind after realizing it was possible. He told WHTM / ABC 27 he started high school right after finishing eighth grade in two and a half months. The young, bright child claimed that studying online accelerated his progress.

 

 

“When he heard the word ‘S.T.E.M’ program, at seven years old, he was jumping up and down. I said ‘OK, this is where we’re going, this is what we’re doing.’ He loved it from the first moment. It’s been an amazing journey,” his proud mother, Ronya Balogun, said.

“At the beginning, I just wanted to graduate early,” David explained. “And then after third grade, the teacher said that I should go to fourth grade … so at that point, I decided I want to graduate at the age of 10. And my mom said, if you put the effort in, we will advocate for you and you probably will be able to graduate at the age of nine. So I decided, OK, I’ll graduate at the age of nine.”

David started an accelerated program, studied all year and covered various topics. He has expressed an interest in pursuing a career in astronomy, engineering or software development; he also noted that mathematics and science, particularly nuclear chemistry, are among his favorites.

David asserts that he enjoys building robots and watching scientific documentaries online when he isn’t studying.

 

Additionally, he shared a positive message with Good Morning America as he believes other young children can accomplish his incredible achievement, explaining that even if you’re not particularly strong in one area, you shouldn’t let that hold you back from succeeding academically.

“It has always been my joy to see my son in this position today,” Henry Balogun, David’s father, said.

“This is fantastic, and we are deeply grateful to God that he was able to achieve his goal,” the proud father added. “He’s still on his way. He has not reached the end yet, and now he is in college.”

Ronya Balogun wants other parents to know that the best thing you can do for your children is to always stand by them and be supportive.

“It’s very rewarding but you have to kind of get yourself outside of the box and be able to see things outside of the system and advocate and speak up and not give up,” Ronya said.

“Be their own cheerleader, believe in them, even when they sometimes doubt themselves. Just believe in them, and that’s what I tell my son, ‘As far as you want to go, go. There are no limits to where you want to go. There is no limit to your dreams,’” she added.

David has expressed interest in becoming an astrophysicist once he completes his education, as reported by The Hill.

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