Xander Earns a 5 on AP Biology at Just 10 With CGA

At Crimson Global Academy (CGA), students are matched with classes by ability, not age. This allows ambitious learners to pursue advanced coursework far earlier than would ever be possible in a traditional classroom.

Few students illustrate the power of this model more strikingly than 10-year-old Xander Reinerson from Tennessee, who has already taken on Advanced Placement (AP) exams designed for students preparing for university.

“I live in Tennessee, and I got a 5 on my AP Biology exam. I’m really happy about that.”

In most US schools, AP courses are introduced in the later years of high school, typically for students aged 16–18.

They are rigorous, university-level subjects designed to demonstrate readiness for higher education. Achieving a score of 5 — the highest possible result — is difficult even for older students aiming for top-tier universities.

Last year, Xander did just that.

Xander also starred on the Ellen Show as a child expert at just 5-year-old, where she quizzed him on his love for astronomy.

A Love of Science, and a Big Dream

Xander has a genuine enthusiasm for science. Heading into 10th grade, he already has a wide range of interests, from biology, astronomy, and immunology to physics, with chemistry holding a special place on the list.

I am planning to eventually become a neurosurgeon.

I really enjoy learning biology, and I felt that I could go deeper into the subject and try something more challenging like the AP exam. Also, I really think the AP exam will definitely help me with my future medical school studies.

When we asked Xander what prompted him to take such a hard-level subject at just 10 years-old his answer was priceless...

“For you, 10 might seem young, but for me it’s the oldest I’ve ever been. It’s the most prepared I’ve ever been. So I guess it all depends on your perspective.”

At a traditional school, Xander would still be sitting in middle school classes, nowhere near the opportunity to attempt an AP exam. CGA’s ability-based placement made his achievement possible.

CGA groups you in based on your ability, how much you know — it’s knowledge, not age, and that I feel is the future of education. Also, CGA gave me amazing access to high-level learning opportunities, especially allowing me to take AP exams at such a young age.”

For a student with Xander’s focus, the challenge wasn’t just about access to advanced content. It was also about the quality of teaching.

CGA has top-level teachers, and even though they’re very supportive, they still keep their expectation high and treat me just like a standard high school student.

The Da Vinci Advantage

To prepare for his APs, Xander studied through the Da Vinci Program, CGA’s 1:1 learning mode designed for students who benefit from highly personalised instruction. Unlike a traditional classroom where the pace is fixed, Da Vinci gives each learner the ability to move faster or slower depending on their goals.

In one on one, the teacher can exactly adapt to that student perfectly and provide the best learning experience.

With Da Vinci, his teachers could adjust the pace, revisit topics when needed, and accelerate when he was ready.

It meant that Xander wasn’t limited by the rhythm of a class designed for older students — he was able to cover the full AP curriculum at his own speed, with a teacher focused entirely on his progress.

What’s Next for Xander?

After conquering AP Biology and AP Chemistry in his first year of high school, Xander has set his sights even higher for the coming year.

I'm going to take AP Psychology, AP Computer Science A and AP Calculus AB.

Three more AP courses, and a workload that would challenge students twice his age are now part of his plan as he continues working towards his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.