Caymanian Matthew Anderson, at just 10 years old, has become the youngest person in the Caribbean to pass the rigorous Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations.
The Year 5 student from Edna Moyle Primary School earned a Grade 1 in mathematics and a Grade 2 in human and social biology.
Mark Ray, director of the Department of Education Services, confirmed the “amazing work” done by Anderson as an early independent, private entry in the regional exams, during his remarks at the annual Education Professionals’ Welcome held on 22 Aug.
“Talent isn’t a question, intelligence isn’t a question, capability isn’t a question, it is what do we do with it, how do we support it, and how do we make sure that that student and many, many others, who demonstrate similar capability, don’t fall between the cracks, and reach their absolute potential. That’s our remit, that’s our job,” Ray said.
‘Sweating from all the happiness’
Anderson was at the park when he got word of passing the major milestone. “At first, I was really happy. I was sweating from all the happiness. As time progressed, it got harder and harder for me because I had so much attention and I really don’t like that much attention, but I was happy.”
In preparing for the exams, Anderson explained he “became friends” with past exams to get familiar with the questions.
“I also used YouTube videos to help with math concepts; my parents helped me as well.”
Anderson said while he was up for the challenge, he did experience difficult moments.
“There were bigger kids and adults in the exams, and I’d feel intimidated because I was smaller, so it was kind of hard to do the exams without feeling nervous or being constantly looked or stared at.”
‘Kind of different’
His father, Patrick Anderson, said he was proud to see what his son has achieved. While as parents they offered their son guidance, he said they did not push him into taking on those exams.
“He did it on his own, so it’s a very good feeling to know that he is driven. I think if you have talent and you’re not driven, then it’s kind of useless.”
Patrick Anderson said he started to see his son’s genius from age 3.
“He always had his tablet and we didn’t know he was studying Russian … and then he started talking, saying the alphabet, and that’s when it clicked: This guy is kind of different.”
He added, “He moved from that and started cardiology, studying the heart, and we’d take him to the hospital, and he would go around and look at the monitors and [tell the medical staff] what’s wrong with the patients. It was something natural for him.”
He stressed that it is important to invest in your child.
Anderson’s mother, Nadine, said of her son’s accomplishment, “I was super proud. Proud of Matthew achieving this for himself, making his family proud, making his school proud and, most of all, making Cayman proud and the Caribbean.”
She advised parents to always be their child’s biggest advocate and supporter.
Beyond the classroom, Anderson is engaged with his community, has served as a student council representative for the past four years and participated in various extracurricular activities. He is a passionate member of the Cayman Arts Programme, where he earned a merit in his Trinity violin examination. He is the youngest member to perform with the Cayman Islands Orchestra and the Camerata Orchestra. He also plays the piano and clarinet.
He is active in football, spelling competitions – where he placed second in the 2025 spelling bee – and his school chess club. His expansive list of hobbies are as diverse as they are impressive: cricket, puzzle-solving, ludi, chess, skating, dancing, travelling, reading news and biology materials, writing, drawing and exploring challenging math problems.
‘You can do anything at whatever age’
Anderson plans to sit more exams next year, passing as many subjects as he can with the highest possible grades.
While he’s not sure of his future path, he said he wants it to include mathematics, problem-solving and his love of innovation.
Anderson said he’s grateful for his parents, his teachers Kirkpatrick Clarke, Lamar Dennis and Celiscia Gregory, and his school.
For those going after their dreams, Anderson said not to let age define them.
“Our society nowadays has put age limits to everything … You don’t have to do something just because of your age. You can do anything at whatever age, as long as you put God first and trust Him because He will always be by your side.”
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