Maths Prodigy Suborno Bari Graduated High School at 12, Now Studies at NYU

Suborno Isaac Bari’s academic journey began long before most children start formal schooling. He reportedly memorised the periodic table at the age of two, wrote his first book at four, delivered a physics lecture at an Indian university at seven and graduated from high school in New York when he was just 12. Despite being widely described as a mathematical prodigy, Bari believes his achievements are driven more by effort and opportunity than extraordinary talent alone.

“I think it’s very disingenuous to just reduce someone who is successful at a young age to prodigy or genius,” Bari said in an interview. “It’s really 90% effort, 9% luck, and 1% talent.” Born in New York, he attracted attention as a toddler because of his ability to identify elements from the periodic table. His parents soon recognised that regular classroom lessons were not sufficiently challenging for him and began exploring a more accelerated educational path.

Bari skipped five school grades while progressing through his education. He completed the fourth, eighth, 10th and 12th grades, bypassing the fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth and 11th grades, while also taking advanced placement and college-level courses. In June 2024, he became the youngest student to graduate from Malverne High School in New York at the age of 12. He reportedly scored 1,500 on the SAT and received a full scholarship to study mathematics and physics at New York University.

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His interests have extended beyond conventional school subjects. Bari wrote his first book, The Love, at a very young age, focusing on religious peace. Looking back, he admitted that his approach at the time was naïve, saying he believed another book on religious harmony might help people communicate better. He later developed an interest in advanced mathematical concepts, including the Riemann zeta function, which he encountered while exploring different branches of mathematics at the age of 11.

Bari has also delivered lectures and participated in academic events in India. At seven, he was invited to Mumbai University to give a physics lecture, while his academic profile includes other university talks and book discussions. He credits much of his progress to his family, particularly his parents. His father, Rashidul Bari, reportedly worked as a security guard while pursuing a master’s degree in physics and later became a professor. Bari has also repeatedly acknowledged his mother’s unwavering support. As a child, he received a letter of recognition from former US President Barack Obama, further increasing public attention around his achievements.

Despite his success in traditional academic fields, Bari has expressed concern about the impact of generative artificial intelligence on younger generations. Asked what children might gain or lose in the AI era, he responded, “Nothing. They’re having everything taken from them.” His concern is that excessive dependence on technology could reduce opportunities for students to struggle with difficult problems, develop curiosity and build independent thinking skills. Bari now hopes to become a professor and help students understand mathematics and science, especially those who have limited access to educational opportunities.

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