Nationwide — Honey Cooper, an African American girl from San Bernardino, California, is just a fourth grader, but she’s already taking college courses while excelling in elementary school. She balances her studies with San Bernardino County College and dreams of a bright future.
Honey stands out at Kimbark Elementary School for her love of learning and advanced abilities. Teachers describe her as bright, focused, and passionate, tackling subjects far beyond her grade level.
In her elementary classes, Honey studies fractions, science, and reading like her peers. Outside the classroom, she attends a college art course with older students. “It’s very different because, in my fourth-grade class, there’s like a lot of people, like 33 people,” Honey told KTLA. “And in art class, there’s only like 12 people.”
Her mother, Mia Cooper, says. “Even though she’s in the fourth grade, Honey is about at a seventh-grade math level. With reading, she’s probably at a high twelfth grade.” The youngest of five, Honey taught herself to read as a toddler and has always shown an extraordinary curiosity.
The chance to take college classes came after Sandra Rodriguez, assistant superintendent of student services, recognized Honey’s talent. She encouraged public school students to enroll at San Bernardino Community College, and Honey eagerly started a college art course this month.
Balancing elementary and college classes is demanding, Honey admits, but she manages it well. “It really is a lot, but if you really balance it, it could go really smoothly well,” she said.
When asked about her future, Honey said she wants to be a surgeon, an artist, or a fashion designer. Principal Brittany Zuniga said Honey’s story shows that “when you raise the bar for students, they will reach it. And they will even blow your mind and exceed it.”