Headed to high school at age 12
Caleb Baptiste is only 12 years old.
But next year, he’s headed to high school.
As it turns out, Caleb has always been ahead of the curve.
He could read, write and speak multiple languages before his second birthday.
“I would say I speak two and a half languages. I speak English and Indonesian, but my Spanish isn’t as strong anymore.”
Caleb started his formal education at Royal Ridge Elementary School.
He started first grade at age 5.
By the end of the year, he tested out of second grade and skipped ahead to third grade the following year.
“I am the only non-teenager in my classes.”
Caleb is currently an eighth-grader at Krueger School or Applied Technologies (KSAT).
“It’s a bit challenging, but I like a good challenge. So, I think that it’s good. I like where we get to launch rockets.”
Caleb is a pretty typical eighth-grader despite skipping two grades and being younger than his classmates.
He likes playing video games, swimming and nacho day at school.
But he also likes to stay busy.
He plays the euphonium in the band.
He is a leader in the Peer Assistance Leadership and Service (PALS) program.
Oh, and he is also the vice president of the student council and the band council.
So going to high school next year isn’t really phasing him.
“Not really nervous about high school, but I don’t know what to expect.”
Next year, Caleb will take his talents to the Engineering and Technologies Academy (ETA) at Roosevelt High School.
“I am most excited about the engineering aspect of it. I like robotics. I have been looking to get into robotics, but I didn’t have the elective space in middle school.”
And while his teachers are very excited for him, they know he will be missed at Krueger.
“Caleb is awesome. He is a bottle of energy,” said Caleb’s Principles of Applied Engineering teacher Tracy Thomas. “He is very willing to help others. When he is done with his work, he is all about being that second teacher, getting up and helping others. He takes pride in his school.”
Caleb still has to finish eighth grade, so he’s not exactly sure what his plans are after high school, but MIT is at the top of his list at the moment.