Introduction to a Young Genius
Sandra Ruiz thought nothing of it when a man and his 8-year-old daughter walked into her intro to computer science course. After all, working parents were nothing new at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa. “I thought, ‘Here comes a dad — the student — and his daughter,’” the veteran assistant professor said. “I thought he was in need of a babysitter.” Imagine her surprise when it turned out she had it backward. Right before class began, Rafael Perales departed — leaving his daughter, Alisa, to begin her second semester of college.
Early Beginnings
The path toward the graduation stage started a decade ago, when Perales noticed his daughter’s natural academic prowess. “I wanted to see what my kid could do with full-time attention and learning,” Perales said. “It wasn’t an easy choice, but she was worth it.” A civil lawyer by trade who is divorced and raised his daughter alone, Perales quit his burgeoning practice to become Alisa’s instructor. The duo treated learning like a profession, studying eight hours a day, six days a week.
Academic Achievements
By her 2nd birthday — when most children are expected to recognize basic shapes and colors and converse in short two-to-four word sentences — Alisa had already mastered the alphabet and could count into the hundreds. At 2½ years old, she could read on her own. By 3, she was writing with upper elementary school precision, had conquered multiplication tables and understood division, her father said. Alisa moved onto long division by age 4 and basic algebra by the time she was 5.
College Life
Alisa’s first year at Crafton Hills was a mix of nerves and excitement. “It was nice meeting new people there from the first day on,” she said. “Everything was new, but semester after semester, I was getting more and more comfortable there.” Perales bought a pair of walkie-talkies so he could communicate with his daughter on breaks and in between classes. He sat directly outside her class as the then 8-year-old student began her collegiate career. After the first year, he waited down the hall and eventually outside buildings, in school courtyards and off campus.
Career Aspirations
Now 11, she graduates Friday with associate degrees in multiple sciences and mathematics. She is the school’s youngest graduate and among the youngest in California state history. Up next is a university — she’s already been accepted to a few University of California campuses, though she hasn’t yet decided where she’s heading this fall. Eventually, the tween dynamo dreams of working with artificial intelligence at aerospace giant SpaceX. “It’s a really exciting time to be graduating and preparing for my future,” Alisa said.
Overcoming Challenges
As graduation day drew closer, however, her path to this point also drew some backlash. Crafton Hills College put out a statement April 16 touting Alisa’s accomplishment. But after the news was picked up by media outlets, some online commentators pushed back — telling Perales to “let children be children,” or questioning what the end goal was. To Perales, the criticism from strangers was as surprising as it was off base. “She runs into the crowd of kids and makes new friends and everybody is having a great time instantly,” he said. “Everything that people feared about her being awkward or unsociable was completely wrong.”
Conclusion
Alisa Perales, 11, of San Bernardino, is set to make Crafton Hills College history when she graduates this week with two associate degrees.
Alisa Perales, 11, of San Bernardino, is set to make Crafton Hills College history when she graduates this week with two associate degrees.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Alisa said she plays soccer with friends in her San Bernardino neighborhood, often racing to find them at a local park once she’s finished with her schoolwork. She also connects with pals over the online video game platform Roblox. Making friends can be challenging for children and their parents no matter the circumstances.
FAQs
Q: How old is Alisa Perales?
A: Alisa Perales is 11 years old.
Q: What degrees is Alisa graduating with?
A: Alisa is graduating with associate degrees in multiple sciences and mathematics.
Q: What is Alisa’s future career aspiration?
A: Alisa dreams of working with artificial intelligence at aerospace giant SpaceX.
Q: How did Alisa’s father contribute to her education?
A: Alisa’s father, Rafael Perales, quit his job as a civil lawyer to become her full-time instructor and tailored her learning to her needs.
Q: What was Alisa’s GPA at Crafton Hills College?
A: Alisa posted a 3.8 GPA over 2½ years at the college.
Alisa Perales’ final GPA at Crafton Hills College will be near a 4.0. At 11, she will be the youngest graduate in the college’s history.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
