In an extraordinary achievement that has captured the attention of educators, psychologists, and high-IQ societies worldwide, four-year-old Zorien Royce from Vernon Hills, Illinois, has been accepted into both Mensa and Intertel, two of the most prestigious high-IQ societies in the world.
Scoring an astonishing 156 out of 160 on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) test at the age of three, Zorien has been recognized as “profoundly gifted,” placing him among the youngest members ever admitted to these elite organizations. His remarkable cognitive abilities, multilingual proficiency, and passion for learning have made him a standout, inspiring awe and admiration from those who have witnessed his journey.
A Prodigy in the Making: Zorien’s Early Signs of Genius
Zorien Royce’s extraordinary intellectual journey began almost as soon as he could interact with the world around him. His parents, Md Naqib Alam Ansari, an associate director of technology at a global pharmaceutical company, and Monirupa Ananya, a civil engineer at a global construction firm, noticed their son’s unusual abilities when he was just nine months old. By this age, Zorien was already recognizing letters and numbers, displaying a curiosity that set him apart from his peers.
“We noticed very early when he had a very unusual curiosity, like he was recognizing all the letters, numbers when he was around nine months old,” Monirupa Ananya shared in an interview with The Independent. By the age of two, Zorien’s abilities had progressed far beyond typical developmental milestones. He was spelling complex words such as “hippopotamus” and “alligator” and could count to 100 both forward and backward with ease.
His parents recall that by 18 months, he was already reading books, a skill that most children don’t master until much later. “By 2, he was reading books and spelling words like ‘hippopotamus’ and ‘alligator,’ and counting forwards and backwards to 100,” his parents noted in a news release. These early signs prompted them to consult their pediatrician, who recommended an evaluation by a psychologist.
The psychologist administered the WPPSI-IV test, a standardized intelligence assessment designed for young children. Zorien’s score of 156 out of 160 placed him in the “profoundly gifted” range, a category reserved for individuals with exceptional cognitive abilities. The psychologist was reportedly “awestruck” by the results, noting that it was rare for a child of Zorien’s age to come so close to maxing out the scoring scale.
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This score not only qualified him for Mensa, which accepts individuals in the top 2% of the population (typically an IQ of 130 or higher on the Wechsler scale), but also for Intertel, which requires a score in the top 1% (approximately 135 or higher). Zorien’s acceptance into both societies at such a young age marks him as one of the youngest members in their histories, a testament to his prodigious intellect.
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Beyond his academic feats, Zorien’s linguistic abilities are equally remarkable. He is fluent in English and Bengali, and he has begun learning Spanish, French, and Hindi, counting to 10 in all five languages. His parents, who immigrated from Kolkata, India, have fostered an environment where Zorien’s curiosity drives his learning. For instance, Monirupa recently discovered Zorien counting from 1 to 20 in French, a language she doesn’t speak, after he watched educational YouTube videos. This self-directed learning highlights his ability to absorb and retain new information at an astonishing rate.
Nurturing a Gifted Mind: The Role of Family and Education
Zorien’s parents have taken a thoughtful and balanced approach to supporting their son’s intellectual development. Rather than pushing him to achieve, they focus on providing an environment that nurtures his natural curiosity and love for learning. “Our goal isn’t to push him but to give him the right environment,” Monirupa Ananya emphasized. “His journey, we hope, inspires other children and families to embrace curiosity and learning with joy.”
This philosophy has guided their decisions, from enrolling Zorien Royce in a gifted school in Chicago to limiting screen time and encouraging activities that promote emotional and social growth. Zorien attends the Science & Arts Academy in Des Plaines, a school designed for gifted children, where he is challenged academically while being allowed to enjoy his childhood.
He also participates in Kumon, an international after-school program focused on math and reading mastery, where he is working at a level more than three years above his age group. Currently, Zorien reads independently at a second- to third-grade level and is tackling advanced mathematical concepts such as three-digit multiplication and fractions. His ability to grasp these topics at the age of four is extraordinary, as most children his age are still learning to recognize colors or count small numbers of objects.
Despite his intellectual gifts, Zorien’s parents are committed to ensuring he has a well-rounded childhood. “For us, being gifted isn’t just about numbers or scores – it’s about balance,” they said. “We want to make sure Zorien enjoys being a child, plays, laughs, and grows emotionally alongside his intellectual journey.”
To this end, they encourage his participation in extracurricular activities like soccer, swimming, and building Lego sets, which allow him to explore his physical and creative sides. Zorien’s love for the library, which he calls his “favorite place in the world,” reflects his passion for reading and discovery. He also enjoys drawing, painting, and solving puzzles, activities that complement his academic pursuits and foster a sense of joy.
The family’s approach to parenting is informed by their cultural background and professional expertise. As immigrants from Kolkata, Md Naqib Alam Ansari and Monirupa Ananya bring a perspective that values education and discipline while prioritizing their son’s happiness.
They maintain a consistent bedtime and limit sugary foods and screen time, though they have recently allowed Zorien to watch select educational videos to support his interest in learning new languages. “We let him ask a lot of questions and try to answer as much as we can. We let him lead the way,” Monirupa said, emphasizing their commitment to following Zorien’s interests rather than imposing their own expectations.
Inspiring the Future: Zorien’s Dreams and the Impact of His Story
Zorien Royce’s achievements extend beyond his acceptance into Mensa and Intertel; they carry profound implications for how society understands and supports gifted children. His story highlights the importance of early identification and tailored education for those with exceptional abilities. By recognizing Zorien’s talents at a young age, his parents and educators have been able to provide resources that allow him to thrive, from specialized schooling to membership in high-IQ societies that offer opportunities for collaboration and mentorship.
Zorien’s aspirations reflect his boundless curiosity and ambition. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, he confidently declares his dream of becoming a NASA scientist. His ability to name all eight planets in the solar system and his fascination with space suggest that this goal is well within his reach. However, his parents remain open to the possibility that his interests may evolve. “Right now, his interest is in space, but that can evolve at any time,” Monirupa noted. “Whatever he wants to do, it’s important that we give him the right environment and support and encouragement.”
The broader impact of Zorien’s story lies in its potential to inspire other families and educators. His parents hope that his journey encourages others to embrace curiosity and foster a love for learning in children. “His journey, we hope, inspires other children and families to embrace curiosity and learning with joy,” they said. By sharing their experiences, they aim to raise awareness about the needs of gifted children, who often require specialized support to reach their full potential while maintaining emotional and social well-being.
Zorien’s acceptance into Mensa and Intertel also underscores the value of high-IQ societies in providing resources and community for individuals with exceptional intelligence. Mensa, founded in 1946, is the largest and oldest high-IQ society, open to those who score in the top 2% on a standardized intelligence test. Intertel, which accepts individuals in the top 1%, offers a more exclusive network for those with even higher scores. For Zorien, membership in these organizations provides access to like-minded peers and opportunities to engage in intellectual pursuits, which could shape his future in profound ways.
As Zorien continues to grow, his story serves as a reminder of the incredible potential within young minds and the importance of nurturing that potential with care and balance. His achievements at such a young age are not just a testament to his intelligence but also to the dedication of his family and educators, who have created an environment where he can thrive. Zorien Royce, the four-year-old “multilingual math whiz” from Vernon Hills, is already leaving a mark on the world, and his journey is just beginning.