An exceptional eighth grader will skip high school and go straight to college

Aubrey Sparks is a bubbly middle school student who blends in with her friends…but her grades do nothing but stand out.
One of Aubrey’s teachers, Kate Ruppenkamp knew Aubrey was different a couple of years ago.

“I thought she was way ahead of the game in 6th grade and I never had anybody like that.”
At 14- she’s spent her life in Washington County Magnet schools and merit programs…
Michael Sparks, Aubrey’s dad said she’s loved learning very early on. 

“In first grade she was already reading chapter books.”
Now in 8th…she scored in the 90th percentile on the reading sections of the SAT’s…and going to high school no longer seemed challenging.
“I realized we were doing things I had done years and years ago and it was so boring…” Aubrey said.
After 5 essays, an interview, and hours of studying… Aubrey Sparks was accepted to Mary Baldwin College in Stanton, Virginia.

In the fall she’ll be one of 20 girls from around the world enrolling in their program for the exceptionally gifted.
Aubrey says she doesn’t feel exceptionally gifted, that’s how she’s always been.

“I can’t imagine doing anything but learning- it just seems so natural because that’s all ive been doing my whole life.”
Aubrey spent the past three years here at Springfield Middle School her principal says in her 17 years in the school system she’s never seen anyone make this kind of jump.
But Principal Ruppenthal thinks Aubrey is ready.

“Aubrey knows this is what she wants—it’s an opportunity to do something different.”
In just four years she’ll have a college degree…and oh yea…her driver’s license.

You can take driver’s ed. courses there.
As far as leaving her best friends behind?

Aubrey says “If we went through high school normally when we went to different colleges we’d split up anyway.”
Allison Staubs one of Aubrey’s friends, says she’s still going to miss her.

I’m so proud of her – I’m just really happy for her, I’m going to miss her a lot
This is one of the last time’s Michael Sparks will pick up his daughter from middle school..
I’ll end up crying on camera- I’m proud of her I’m very, very proud of her- she’s worked very hard
At the end of summer- he’ll drop her off at college.