At just 12 years old, Suborno Isaac Bari is about to embark on a journey most people start in their late teens. This young genius, who began speaking at six months old and memorized the periodic table by age two, is set to attend New York University on a full scholarship this fall.
“He was always different,” said his father, Rashidul Bari. Yet, even his parents couldn’t have predicted the speed and confidence with which Suborno would get through his education.
It feels super good,” Suborno said.
Growing up, Suborno quickly realized he was ahead of his peers academically. By kindergarten, he was already turning to his father’s university textbooks, online articles and academic YouTube videos for more challenging learning opportunities.
Suborno Isaac Bari, center, at the Malverne High School graduation ceremony on June 26. Suborno, 12, is the youngest person to graduate from the school. Photo by Malverne Union Free School District
Suborno’s father, a doctoral candidate at Columbia University and a high school physics teacher, and his mother, an elementary school teacher pursuing a master’s degree in early-childhood education, recognized their son’s abilities early on.
At age two, Suborno gained online fame after being interviewed by a vice president at the City College of New York, where he flawlessly listed the elements of the periodic table. His talents caught the eye of President Barack Obama, who sent him a letter of recognition in 2016. This led to further attention, including an invitation from Mumbai University to lecture in physics at age seven.
The 2020 pandemic brought new challenges as Suborno had to finish third grade online. “That was the last straw,” he said. Bored and needing more stimulation, his parents took action. When he enrolled as a fourth-grader in the Malverne Union Free School District, teachers quickly noticed his advanced abilities.
The principal told me that his understanding is in the 12th-grade level or beyond,” his father recalled.
Recognizing his potential, the school crafted a unique path for Suborno, allowing him to become a hybrid student. He spent mornings in higher grade levels and afternoons with peers his age to balance his academic and social development. “We were just as committed to developing his social and emotional development, as well as his academic aptitude,” said Rebecca Gottesman, the district’s director of K-12 counseling.
Suborno celebrates his graduation with his father, Rashidul Bari. Photo courtesy of the Bari family
Despite the challenges, Suborno excelled, making friends across age groups and offering academic support to older students. “Even though he’s so bright, he’s not intimidating,” Gottesman noted. “He’s warm, he’s engaging, he wants to help everyone.”
Suborno skipped several grades and took five advanced placement classes, passing each test with top scores. Graduating high school at 12 wasn’t easy, though. “There’s been such dramatic changes going from elementary to middle school, having to handle all the new homework and the scary exams,” he said.
Outside of academics, Suborno enjoys biking, gardening, playing piano, and chess. “I still have all the free time I could want … I don’t want to waste any time just sitting there.” His drive to learn is never-ending, which has pushed him to take college courses in physics and math during his spare time.
Recently, Suborno received his acceptance letter from NYU, making him possibly the youngest student ever admitted. “I feel ready to take on college, not just academically but also socially,” he said.
“My real goal in life is just to help others understand math and science, and especially physics. Because there are not enough resources,” Suborno said. And, of course, he loves the idea of being called ‘Prof. Suborno Bari’.
Sources: The Washington Post | CBS News
