10-Year-Old Caymanian Makes History with CSEC Exam Success

Matthew Anderson, a 10-year-old Year 5 student at Edna Moyle Primary School, has made national and regional history by becoming the youngest known Caymanian — and possibly the youngest in the Caribbean — to successfully pass the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

Matthew earned a Grade 1 in Mathematics and a Grade 2 in Human & Social Biology, remarkable achievements for a primary school student. These results were attained through the CSEC Continued Education Programme at Cayman Academy, where he was specially enrolled to challenge his academic abilities beyond the primary curriculum.

From an early age, Matthew’s parents recognized that he was no ordinary child. His advanced aptitude often made regular grade-level work unchallenging, prompting his parents to seek alternative avenues to stimulate his intellectual growth. He received private mathematics tutoring from Mr. Lamar Dennis and Mr. Kirkpatrick Clarke, as well as online lessons in Human & Social Biology from Mrs. Celisa Gregory-Pool. He excelled in all areas.

Matthew is the eldest of three siblings and an active member of the Cayman Islands Baptist Church. He has served as a Student Council Representative at his school for the past four years and participates in a wide range of extracurricular activities. These include football, chess, spelling competitions—where he recently placed second in the 2025 Spelling Bee—and the Cayman Arts Programme. He plays the violin, piano, and clarinet, and is the youngest performer in both the Cayman Islands Orchestra and Camerata Orchestra.

In his spare time, Matthew enjoys puzzle-solving, ludi, skating, drawing, reading scientific material, and exploring complex math problems. Despite a dislike for flying, he has a passion for travel and discovery. He aspires to become an actuary or engineer, careers that reflect his love of math and problem-solving.

Acknowledgements

Matthew and his family wish to first and foremost thank God for His guidance, wisdom, and blessings throughout this incredible journey.

He also extends sincere gratitude to:

• His loving parents, Patrick and Nadine Anderson, for their unwavering support

• Tutors Mr. Lamar Dennis, Mr. Kirkpatrick Clarke, and Mrs. Celisa Gregory-Pool, for their dedication and mentorship

• Cayman Academy for providing access to its Continued Education Programme

• The Edna Moyle Primary School family for fostering an environment of excellence and growth

With his achievements, strong faith, and disciplined spirit, Matthew Anderson stands as a shining example and source of inspiration for young people in the Cayman Islands and across the Caribbean.