Ninth Grade Genius?

Emily Regan
SJHS Staff Writer

Unbeknownst to the regular, every-day students at Springville Junior High School, there is a student among them that is very special. Fourteen-year-old Jonathan Bassett is far beyond the general standards of his generation. Jonathan is currently a full time student at BYU.

From kindergarten through the fourth grade, Jonathan went to a public school, but was home-schooled after that. While learning at home, Jonathan was able to skip two grades, and in the tenth grade he took the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE). The CHSPE is the equivalent of a General Educational Development test which allows him to graduate high school early with a diploma. He is now attending BYU on a regular basis, only coming to first period each day at SJHS.

“The workload is just right,” Jonathan said. “The pace is good and I don’t feel like I’m learning the same thing over and over again.”

Jonathan is very excited about his chance to go to BYU. His family is very supportive of him and encourages him to keep going in a positive direction. Since Jonathan hasn’t been to high school, though, he is still trying to learn how to manage his time in a way that will allow him to balance school work and his growing social life at SJHS. Of the many things that might be problematic for him, this is the only real trouble he’s had.

Currently, Jonathan is majoring in physics, and he is already planning on his Master’s degree. He enjoys what he’s doing and is thrilled about the direction in which he is venturing.

When asked what advice he might give to others in his situation he said, “Learn to be independent.” He recommended trying to provide for yourself as much as you can, and taking charge of your school career.

The life of a college student as young as Jonathan must be stimulating but also very complicated. We are very glad to welcome Jonathan Bassett to Springville.