Gifted 10-Year-Old in the US Advances with Online Education
Online schooling has transformed education, offering students flexibility, personalized learning, and access to global opportunities. For Annie Huang, a gifted 10-year-old who recently moved from China to Texas, United States, enrolling in Crimson Global Academy (CGA) was her best decision.
Through online learning at CGA, Annie has found a home where she is able to study at the level that suits her needs academically, focus on her love for competitive fencing, and prepare for an ambitious future.
“CGA’s online learning has been a game-changer for me. It gives me the freedom to learn at my own pace, the support of amazing teachers, and the chance to be part of a global community.
It’s been the perfect fit for me, both academically and personally, and I’m so glad I made the switch.”
- CGA Student, Annie
How This Ambitious Student Found Her Fit
Annie’s academic schooling began in a traditional school setting, where her family quickly found that they just weren’t able to meet her needs.
“Annie is a gifted child with WISC-V IQ scores reaching up to 160 across the board. The curriculum at her international schools was too easy.
Despite her teachers’ efforts to provide advanced work, these were sporadic adjustments rather than a systematic approach to her learning needs,” says Annie's Father, Tanyan.
Frustrated by the limitations of traditional education, Annie began homeschooling and completed high school-level materials in just four months. However, her parents realized she needed structured support and advanced teaching. Her father adds that finding the right environment for Annie has made all the difference.
“Ultimately, Annie left school and studied independently at home. Within just four months, she completed math and English materials all the way to the high school level.
However, without a structured learning system and appropriate teaching support, we found it challenging to meet her educational needs.
This led us to seek out a school designed for gifted students, without age limitations—bringing us to CGA, which has proven to be the perfect fit for Annie’s advanced and demanding learning requirements.”
“CGA’s accelerated learning approach allows Annie to progress at her own pace, challenging and engaging her rather than holding her back,” her father adds.
Why Annie and Her Family Chose Online Learning
CGA’s online learning model attracted Annie with its flexibility and global approach.
“Several unique aspects of CGA’s offerings initially drew me to the school, particularly its rigorous curriculum, flexible online learning environment, and supportive structure for student-athletes.
As someone passionate about both academics and competitive fencing, I needed an educational environment that could accommodate my demanding training schedule without compromising on academic quality—and CGA provided exactly that.”
In the words of Annie, there are several reasons why CGA is her top choice:
- A World of Opportunities
CGA’s online learning platform offers me the flexibility I need to balance academics with my extracurricular commitments. This global classroom allows me to engage with outstanding teachers and students from diverse backgrounds, broadening my perspective and preparing me for today’s interconnected world.
- Personalized Attention for Growth
Small class sizes at CGA ensure that I receive the individualized support and mentorship needed to succeed. Building strong relationships with teachers who are invested in my progress is essential to me, and CGA provides this personal attention to help me reach my academic goals.
- A Curriculum Aligned with My Future
CGA’s rigorous international curriculum, including AP courses, provides a strong foundation for my academic and career ambitions. With its focus on engineering, innovation, and real-world technology applications, CGA’s curriculum aligns with my goals and nurtures a spirit of inquiry.
The curriculum at CGA, with advanced courses like AP and specialized subjects, aligns perfectly with my academic goals, especially as I aspire to pursue a career in medicine. I was attracted to the depth and rigour of CGA’s offerings, which have allowed me to build a strong foundation in essential areas such as biology, computer science, and engineering. This academic flexibility has enabled me to challenge myself while gaining skills that will be vital in my future career.
- A Welcoming Online Community
CGA is a vibrant online community where I can collaborate with like-minded peers who share my passion for learning, especially in STEM. This supportive network will motivate and inspire me throughout my academic journey.
As well as, being able to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds has enriched my educational experience, broadening my perspective and helping me develop a global outlook.
This exposure to different cultures and viewpoints is something I value deeply, as it will be invaluable in my future career in medicine, where empathy and cultural awareness are essential.
- Real-World Connection
The program’s emphasis on project-based and career-focused learning connects academic concepts to real-world applications. This blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience fuels my passion for engineering and science, creating an enriching learning experience.
- University Counseling Excellence
CGA’s comprehensive university and career counseling provides invaluable guidance, helping me make informed decisions about my future.
With support from experienced advisors and access to industry experts, I am confident that CGA will help me achieve my goal of gaining admission to a top university.
A Day in the Life of a 10-Year Old CGA Student
Annie’s daily schedule exemplifies how online schooling balances flexibility with academic rigour. Her full course load includes medicine, creative engineering design, AP computer science, biology, integrated math, and more. Despite the demands, CGA’s structure allows her to dedicate 4–5 hours daily to fencing while completing her studies.
“The ability to attend classes virtually and access recorded lessons has been invaluable, allowing me to maintain a full course load while dedicating time to my fencing training and competitions. This flexibility means I can train intensively and participate in tournaments without falling behind academically, which has been crucial for my development as a student-athlete.”, says Annie.
“CGA’s flexible learning environment has allowed me to pursue fencing at a competitive level, teaching me discipline, resilience, and time-management skills.
Balancing my studies with intensive sports training has shown me the importance of commitment and perseverance—qualities that will be crucial as I work toward a career in the medical field.”
“This adaptability is invaluable for a student-athlete.” Annie’s father highlighted, “The balance between academics and athletics is crucial for supporting Annie’s dual goals.”
How CGA’s Teachers Inspire
Annie praises her CGA teachers for making learning engaging and relatable.
“The teachers design lessons in a way that is well-organized and gradually builds on our understanding. This step-by-step approach helps deepen our knowledge in a “spiral” way, continuously enhancing our cognitive and academic levels.
Plus, the teachers are engaging and often add humor to the lessons, making learning both fun and memorable. They use practical, interesting examples to make concepts clear and enjoyable, which has made the learning experience truly rewarding for me.”
It was one particular biology lesson that stood out to Annie. Her Biology teacher shared a real-world example from her farm, explaining dominant and recessive genes through her hornless bull’s calves. She took the opportunity to share the entire process of delivering calves with the class, explaining each stage in detail.
“This story left a lasting impression on me, inspiring me to see science not just as abstract knowledge, but as something deeply connected to everyday life and decision-making. Her approach to teaching made the lesson memorable, blending science, business insights, and real-life applications in a way I’ll never forget.”
A Future Built On Commitment
Annie has big goals for her future, including competing internationally in fencing, achieving a world-leading ranking, and becoming a neurosurgeon or neurologist.
“Driven by personal motivation and a deep belief in the power of scientific research to alleviate human suffering, I am committed to contributing to this important field. I am fascinated by the complexities of the human brain and eager to make a meaningful impact through medicine. By pursuing rigorous studies, gaining hands-on experience, and committing to lifelong learning, I hope to contribute to advancements in neurology and provide the highest level of care to my future patients,” shares Annie.
Tanyan also shares with us how the support of CGA has been instrumental in helping Annie work toward her future aspirations and goals.
“The school’s advanced curriculum has provided her with a strong academic foundation, particularly in areas like science and mathematics, which are essential for her goal of pursuing a career in medicine. Through courses designed to challenge and engage her, CGA has allowed Annie to build the knowledge and critical thinking skills that will be invaluable in her future studies and career.”
Fierce Fencing To Podium
Annie achieved a recent milestone by securing third place and earning the Bronze Medal in the Y10 Women’s Saber (Y10WS) category at the “Duel in Dallas ROC/RJCC/RYC Tournament” — part of the Regional Youth Circuit (RYC).
Annie performed exceptionally well in this fiercely competitive event. The first and second-place winners are three-time national champions, each with four years of training and two years of tournament experience. By contrast, Annie has had only about 100 days of intensive preparation. Yet, with determination and focus, she approached the tournament as planned — one opponent at a time, one point at a time — steadily climbing the rankings.
Beyond her performance, Annie demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship. She graciously congratulated the first and second-place winners after her semifinal match and extended heartfelt encouragement to those she defeated, offering warm hugs to tearful opponents who narrowly missed reaching the semifinals.
From Online Learning To The World Stage
“Since joining Crimson, Annie’s passion for learning has ignited. The school has nurtured her eagerness to explore new ideas and challenged her to grow in ways we never imagined.
As parents, we see her potential being unlocked each day, and we attribute this remarkable progress to the rich, stimulating environment that Crimson fosters. Annie’s experience here has been nothing short of transformative.”
For families looking for an online school in the US or flexible education options for gifted students, Crimson Global Academy offers a personalized approach designed to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Whether students are competing internationally in fencing or working towards a future in medicine, CGA provides the skills, confidence, and global perspective needed to achieve their goals.
As Annie puts it, “CGA’s rigorous curriculum, adaptable online format, and supportive environment for student-athletes were the key factors that attracted me to the school.
CGA has provided me with the academic challenges, flexibility, and diverse community I was looking for, empowering me to pursue my dreams with confidence.”