Assalamu'alaikum !
In many ways, Maeda Hanafi is a typical kid.
She likes to ride her bicycle, inline skate and play with friends, as well as with other youngsters who attend Masjid Al-Islam, her family's mosque in New Haven.
But while most 13-year-olds are just completing seventh grade, Maeda already has earned 15 college credits and will be a full-time student at the University of New Haven in the fall.
"I have lots of friends of different ages," Maeda said of her stint this year at Gateway Community College in North Haven, where she was on the dean's list, completing courses in physics, pre-calculus, calculus and computer programming.
The oldest child of Anna and Imam Hanafi, Maeda and her three siblings, Aisya, 5, Idris, 10, and Adam, 11, all are home-schooled.
She did attend Forest Elementary School through second grade, but found she was bored. Five years later, with her parents as her teachers, Maeda had advanced enough to win a $12,000 merit scholarship to UNH.
Both parents have math and science backgrounds - Imam Hanafi has marine engineering and computer science degrees, while Anna Hanafi was trained as an economist - and felt confident they could offer their children a good education.
Anna Hanafi said her husband supplements textbooks with his own knowledge and advanced sources when teaching his children, moving to the next level as they master a topic.
"We planted the seed to love math and science. Math is the language of science," Imam Hanafi said of his approach to education for his children.
"When the kids feel comfortable with a subject, it will be easier for them to understand," Anna added.
Last year, Maeda took home an award from the Connecticut Invention Convention at the University of Connecticut for a pillow she developed. In a category sponsored by Microsoft, the elementary-age students were asked to design something that would improve life for a disabled person.
Maeda said the pillow helps prevent pressure sores for someone who is bedridden.
As she gets ready to attend UNH, Maeda is thinking about another invention. She is not sure what it will be, but it will have something to do with "car engines and making them more efficient."
Her father has some thoughts of his own about an engine run on hydrogen; Maeda is still thinking this through, although she is certain there will be a "green" component.
Five years ago, the Hanafis had more than a challenging academic environment in mind for their children, when they opted out of public schools.
"An important goal is to build good moral character. It is a lot easier for a parent to convey this message," Imam Hanafi said.
He said they want to give their children a solid religious foundation, as well as critical thinking skills.
"We want to make sure the faith that we've been planting gets protected and grows accordingly," said Maeda's mother. She said it is an "endless effort" to ensure that "they become good persons when they grow up."
She likes to ride her bicycle, inline skate and play with friends, as well as with other youngsters who attend Masjid Al-Islam, her family's mosque in New Haven.
But while most 13-year-olds are just completing seventh grade, Maeda already has earned 15 college credits and will be a full-time student at the University of New Haven in the fall.
"I have lots of friends of different ages," Maeda said of her stint this year at Gateway Community College in North Haven, where she was on the dean's list, completing courses in physics, pre-calculus, calculus and computer programming.
The oldest child of Anna and Imam Hanafi, Maeda and her three siblings, Aisya, 5, Idris, 10, and Adam, 11, all are home-schooled.
She did attend Forest Elementary School through second grade, but found she was bored. Five years later, with her parents as her teachers, Maeda had advanced enough to win a $12,000 merit scholarship to UNH.
Both parents have math and science backgrounds - Imam Hanafi has marine engineering and computer science degrees, while Anna Hanafi was trained as an economist - and felt confident they could offer their children a good education.
Anna Hanafi said her husband supplements textbooks with his own knowledge and advanced sources when teaching his children, moving to the next level as they master a topic.
"We planted the seed to love math and science. Math is the language of science," Imam Hanafi said of his approach to education for his children.
"When the kids feel comfortable with a subject, it will be easier for them to understand," Anna added.
Last year, Maeda took home an award from the Connecticut Invention Convention at the University of Connecticut for a pillow she developed. In a category sponsored by Microsoft, the elementary-age students were asked to design something that would improve life for a disabled person.
Maeda said the pillow helps prevent pressure sores for someone who is bedridden.
As she gets ready to attend UNH, Maeda is thinking about another invention. She is not sure what it will be, but it will have something to do with "car engines and making them more efficient."
Her father has some thoughts of his own about an engine run on hydrogen; Maeda is still thinking this through, although she is certain there will be a "green" component.
Five years ago, the Hanafis had more than a challenging academic environment in mind for their children, when they opted out of public schools.
"An important goal is to build good moral character. It is a lot easier for a parent to convey this message," Imam Hanafi said.
He said they want to give their children a solid religious foundation, as well as critical thinking skills.
"We want to make sure the faith that we've been planting gets protected and grows accordingly," said Maeda's mother. She said it is an "endless effort" to ensure that "they become good persons when they grow up."
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