The school day ends, and students rush through the hallways of The Imani School to meet their parents at the main office.
Six-year-old Chandler Hughes sits with a bright smile, dressed in formal attire, with a pep in his step. In the eyes of his classmates and teachers, he’s just your average child, but to the world, he has already etched his name into the annals of intellectual brilliance as one of the youngest members to join the prestigious high-IQ society, Mensa.
Hughes is part of a community of the brightest minds worldwide who have scored at the 98th percentile or higher on approved intelligence tests.
His parents witnessed his exceptional abilities at just one year and 9 months old, as he effortlessly mastered the art of reading. As he transitioned into formal education, Hughes exhibited remarkable academic acumen, completing pre-kindergarten with a reading level equivalent to second grade and demonstrating proficiency in second-grade mathematics.
“I love math and reading. The experience in first grade teaches me stuff that I know and stuff that I don’t know,” he said. “This school teaches me so much.”
David Hughes, Chandler’s father, said he didn’t know his child was academically gifted initially, but he fostered a positive environment before Chandler was born.
“We started off making sure that we had a good pregnancy, playing classical music, started reading to him at an early age, and being intentional about the environments that I put him in,” said David. “I wanted him to be with people who he looked like, who share the same values, and around teachers who would help him excel.”
As a parent, David learned that when having a gifted child, you must be on your “Ps and Qs” to keep up with their inquisitiveness.
“I took Chandler to explore places, enjoy different hobbies, sing in the church choir, and put him in an environment where he doesn’t feel out of place, including the Mensa program. Once you get in, essentially, they provide resources for gifted students. There’s not that many young people. They have monthly or bi-monthly meet-ups, they provide you with different materials, games, magazines, books, scholarships.”
Despite Chandler’s age, he said he wants to use his gift to “motivate and inspire” other children to succeed and aspires to be a doctor to help others in need.
Nkiru Vance, Chandler’s first-grade teacher, played a crucial role in Chandler’s learning. The Imani School, where Chandler currently attends, is not just an educational institution; it’s a supportive environment where teachers and peers rally behind him.
“When I get a student like Chandler, it’s very refreshing. He is so excited to learn and gain new knowledge,” she said. “You can see his eyes light up [learning] something new.”
Classroom activities are taught in a way that benefits each student’s learning style.
“It’s just a blessing to be here educating our children and encouraging them and building their confidence,” she said.
Black history at the forefront of education
Patricia Hogan Williams, the founder and head of The Imani School, recognizes the significance of fostering such exceptional talent, ensuring that young minds like Chandler’s are given the space to flourish. The Imani School is the largest independent private, predominately African-American school in the nation serving students from preschool through eighth grade.
Its intimate class sizes, expert faculty, inventive technology, assorted curriculum, and more — with cultural enlightenment and faith-based foundation – are all tailored to give Black children the self-confidence necessary to elevate in society.
“Chandler is taking math and reading with the second graders, but then the rest of the day he spends with his peers because what we know about children is development is not even, so we don’t force him to be a 7-year-old,” she said. “We delight in his kindergarten-ness but also allow him to be stimulated and move on academically at the pace he is capable of.”
As for Chandler, he didn’t fail to remind the Defender team that he is one of the smartest students in his class, and he had one more encouraging message for other young Black students in school.
“This may not be easy, but I know you have to try. Because if you try, you’ll learn new stuff.”
