10-Year-Old College Graduate

​Alisa Perales, a 10-year-old from San Bernardino, California, is set to make history as the youngest graduate of Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa, California. She will receive associate degrees in multiple sciences and mathematics, maintaining a GPA close to 4.0. Alisa's academic talents were evident early in life—reading by age 2 and understanding algebra by age 5. Homeschooled by her father, Rafael Perales, who used an inheritance to dedicate time to her education, Alisa studied rigorously from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. six days a week. At age 8, she began attending college on the advice of a guidance counselor. Despite challenges with making friends due to the age gap with peers, Alisa remains enthusiastic about learning and plans to transfer to a university, potentially Stanford, to pursue computer science. Her father reflects on Alisa’s journey with pride and amazement, noting that she is just beginning her academic journey. ​

Image via NBC

Read other stories from the 5/5/25 newsletter:

Dogs Prevent Wildlife Poaching

Sherpa Breaks Own Climbing Record

Turtle Uses LEGO Mobility Aid