Academic Prodigy: 18-Year-Old Raven Osborne Achieves Bachelor's Degree in Sociology Before High School Graduation

Raven Osborne, an extraordinary 18-year-old, has rewritten academic norms by earning her Bachelor's degree in Sociology before completing high school in the United States. Setting a new record, Osborne graduated two weeks before her high school graduation, making her the best in her class with straight-A achievements.

Osborne's journey began at the 21st Century Charter School in Gary, Indiana, a free public school operated by the GEO Foundation. The foundation aims to provide students in underprivileged neighborhoods with access to quality education. Her motivation to pursue college credits early stemmed from the school's program that covered costs such as tuition, books, and transportation.

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“When I was in 7th grade, I learned that 21st century paid for college credits, the books, and transportation. And my family and I all thought that was really awesome and hard to believe. […] That was a great motivation,” Raven shared with Teen Vogue.

To address concerns about college debt, Osborne maximized the opportunity to take college classes alongside her high school curriculum. She commenced college classes in 9th grade, later transferring to Purdue University’s Northwest campus, where she successfully obtained her Bachelor's degree in Sociology.

“I saw that I would earn my associate’s degree at the end of my 10th-grade year. My mother encouraged me to talk to [Kevin] Teasley, the superintendent of the school, about another program. He and Mrs. Teasley both told me that I could go as far as I wanted with the program,” she explained.

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Despite the challenges, Osborne persevered, emphasizing the support she received from her family, the school community, and the GEO Foundation. Speaking about her accomplishment, Kevin Teasley, the CEO of GEO Foundation, praised her as a "ceiling-breaker" and "mold-buster."

“She’s a ceiling-breaker, a mold-buster, an incredibly disciplined young lady. The world is her oyster now,” Teasley remarked.

Osborne reflected on her high school experience, expressing gratitude for the support and the absence of college debt. “Maybe I didn’t do as much as my classmates have done, but I don’t feel like I sacrificed that much, and I don’t have any college debt, and that is amazing,” she said.

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Acknowledging her mother's influence in fostering a drive for success, Osborne emphasized the value placed on education in her household. Her remarkable journey serves as an inspiration, breaking conventional academic barriers and showcasing the potential for achievement through determination and support.