Highlights:
- Nine-year-old honored by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
- Ranked at the 99th percentile in above-grade-level testing
- Earned prestigious Grand Honors recognition
- Eligible for over 250 advanced academic courses
- Became a Mensa member at just six years old
Preesha Chakraborty, a nine-year-old Indian-American student from Fremont, California, has been named among the “world’s brightest” students by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY). The recognition is based on her exceptional performance in above-grade-level tests that assessed more than 16,000 students from 90 countries around the world.
Preesha is currently a student at Warm Spring Elementary School in Fremont. She took part in the CTY Talent Search during the summer of 2023 while she was in Grade 3. Despite her young age, she demonstrated academic abilities far beyond her grade level, earning her a place on one of the most competitive lists for gifted students.
The CTY Talent Search evaluates students using challenging assessments such as the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), American College Testing (ACT), and the School and College Ability Test. These exams are typically taken by much older students, making Preesha’s performance especially impressive. Her results showed strong skills in both verbal and quantitative sections.
According to CTY, Preesha scored at a level comparable to the 99th percentile of advanced Grade 5 students. This achievement earned her the prestigious Grand Honors designation, one of the highest levels of recognition offered by the program. Fewer than 30 percent of participating students qualify for either High Honors or Grand Honors each year.
As a result of this achievement, Preesha is now eligible for more than 250 advanced courses offered by Johns Hopkins CTY. These programs are designed for students in grades 2 through 12 and cover a wide range of subjects. Available courses include mathematics, computer programming, chemistry, physics, reading, and writing, providing her with opportunities to continue developing her talents.
Preesha’s academic accomplishments began at an early age. When she was just six years old, she earned a lifetime membership in the Mensa Foundation, the world’s oldest and most well-known high-IQ society. Membership in Mensa is limited to individuals who score in the top two percent on approved intelligence tests.
Her recognition follows a growing list of Indian-American students who have excelled in the CTY Talent Search in recent years. Students such as Samedha Saxena and Natasha Perianayagam were also previously honored for their outstanding performances, highlighting the strong presence of Indian-American children in gifted education programs.
The Center for Talented Youth is a non-profit organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. Founded in 1979, CTY has spent decades identifying, supporting, and nurturing academically gifted students around the world. Preesha Chakraborty’s achievement stands as a powerful example of young talent being recognized on a global stage.
