Young Prodigy Marcus Serrano Begins College at Just 11 Years Old

Young students studying in a college library setting.

Largo, Fla. — Young Student Set for College Journey

An 11-year-old from Largo, Florida, has made headlines with his remarkable academic achievements. Marcus Serrano is ready to begin his journey into higher education, enrolling in his first college course at St. Petersburg College this January.

Who is Marcus Serrano?

Marcus, a gifted student in Pinellas County, has a passion for learning. His interests range from chess and puzzles to books and LEGO sets. Known for his love of challenging math, Marcus expressed, “The difficult math, like the one that I have to learn, is the kind I enjoy the most. I really like it when I solve a hard problem. It makes me feel good.”

What are His Academic Milestones?

Since a young age, Marcus has consistently excelled in his studies. His father, Ernie Serrano, shared that Marcus was already tackling algebra, trigonometry, and precalculus at the age of 9, which left him astonished. Recently, Marcus took the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT), where he obtained a perfect score of 150 in math. While he scored just shy of the college level in reading with a 95, his writing score of 111 exceeded the minimum requirement.

Furthermore, Marcus took the ACCUPLACER exam, where he achieved an impressive score of 285 out of 300 in math, placing him in a calculus with analytic geometry class. His father noted, “For a student to take that class, they need to pass four college math tests.” Unlike many parents who push gifted kids towards college immediately, Ernie emphasized that Marcus will start with one college class and begin his path to dual enrollment after transitioning to homeschooling.

What Does Marcus Enjoy Besides Learning?

Outside of academics, Marcus is an active child who enjoys tennis, basketball, and swimming. He also loves skiing and finds joy in balancing his educational pursuits with recreational activities. His mother, Jolanta Serrano, expressed her happiness regarding Marcus’s opportunities for growth, saying, “We’re just so glad that he’s going to be learning new things. It’s just going to be so great for our family for him to have these opportunities.”

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Marcus has set his sights on becoming an engineer. His aspirations include exploring new planets and possibly working on projects like the Mars rovers. Sharing a piece of wisdom with fellow students, Marcus advised, “Try to learn as much as you can and try your best.”

Conclusion

The Serrano family is proud of Marcus and excited about the journey he is about to embark on. As he prepares to take his first college course, Marcus serves as an inspiration for many young learners eager to challenge themselves in academics and beyond.