David Balogun is one of the youngest-ever high school graduates after taking accelerated online classes remotely from his home. David will receive his official diploma in June with the other graduates and has already begun taking college-level courses. David Balogun, a little genius, who unlike most kids his age graduated high school at just nine years old.
According to Fox43, David is the youngest student ever to graduate from Reach Cyber Charter, based in Harrisburg, America, after entering the program in third grade.
“I realized that I was able to graduate at the age of ten or nine as long as I put the effort in, and with the help of my mom, dad, and, of course, Reach Cyber Charter School I was able to graduate,” David said.
The school allowed the brilliant kid to complete his classes online in his hometown of Bensalem, in Bucks County.
“One of the important things in our charter is we have accelerated pacing. So, kids can go year-round and if they’re very smart and on-track and motivated like Davidmotivated like David, they can move ahead at their own individual pace,” said the CEO of David’s school.
David said he made the decision simply because he trusted that he had the ability to do it. “I wanted to do it because I had the ability to do it. So why not use those abilities for the greater good?” said David.
Prior to receiving his graduation certificate, David was awarded the 2022 Distinguished Student Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Gifted Education. He’s also a member of Mensa International, the largest high-IQ society in the world. The 9-year-old is considering a career in either engineering, chemistry, or software development.
FAQs:
Who is David Balogun and what record did he break?
David Balogun is a nine‑year‑old from Pennsylvania who, in early 2023, became one of the youngest people ever to graduate high school in the U.S.—earning a diploma from Reach Cyber Charter School before age 10. While not the very youngest — Michael Kearney graduated at 6 — David’s achievement places him among the top in accelerated learners.
Did he start college already?
Yes! After high school, David completed a semester at Bucks County Community College and then enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), becoming its youngest student at age nine. He received a full‑tuition scholarship to pursue degrees in computer science and IT.
What are his academic interests and future goals?
David is passionate about math and science, especially nuclear chemistry. He aims to become an astrophysicist, with a deep interest in black holes and supernovas. He has said,
“I want to be an astrophysicist, and I want to study black holes and supernovas.”
How did his family support his rapid education?
Both parents hold advanced degrees. They discovered his giftedness early—tested in first grade—and helped him skip multiple grades. To meet his needs, they chose individualized and online programs like Reach Cyber Charter and community college courses. His mother shared they had to “get outside of the box” to balance his accelerated learning with childhood experiences.
Is he just a brain, or does he enjoy being a kid too?
David is very much still a kid—he enjoys playing sports, building robots, practicing piano, pursuing a black belt in martial arts, and goofing around with his younger sister . His science teacher, Cody Derr, said he “changes the way you think about teaching.”
In summary:
David graduated high school at nine
Began community college, then SNHU at nine, full scholarship
Seeks to explore astrophysics, especially black holes
Highly gifted, accelerated by online/custom education with family support
♂️ Still a kid—interests include sports, music, martial arts, and robotics!