CANTON, Ohio ― Thomas Jordan isn't your average 15-year-old. In fact, his story is pretty remarkable.


What You Need To Know


  • 15-year-old from Canton receives high school diploma and college degree on the same day

  • Thomas Jordan started taking college classes at 11 years old

  • Jordan will continue on to The College of Wooster in the fall

At age 11, while in sixth grade, he started taking college classes at Stark State College in North Canton.

"So, he was attending all of his classes, if you think about it, sixth, seventh and eighth grades, so he was balancing that schedule with the ability to take all the college courses," said Para Jones, Ph.D., president of Stark State College.

In order to start his college career at 11, Jordan had to qualify just like any other college student. He passed a national college readiness assessment.

Jordan never made it to high school, and instead became a full-time college student after middle school.

"By the time I was 14 or 15, I kind of grew used to it because when I started taking classes at around 11, it was very awkward because I had no clue how to really interact with people who were a lot older than I was," he said.

Jordan studied general science at Stark State College. His dream is to become a mathematics professor.

"We knew with Tommy at a young age that he had an interest in mathematics and we needed to do something with him to help grow that interest. When he came out here at age 11, we just saw this child bloom," said Tommy's mother Kathy Jordan.

Jordan's parents sat in the back of his classes until he was comfortable with the coursework. Eventually, he started tutoring other college students in math.

"So imagine a young man of his youth tutoring adults in math. He's a brilliant student, he's fairly modest, he graduated with a 3.9, that is a big deal. He took honor courses, his abilities are incredible," said Jones.

Now at the age of 15, Jordan is not just a high school graduate— he's also a college graduate with an associate's degree, both of which he earned on the same day.

"It was a little weird because I never thought I'd have to put on two different gowns on the same day. It was unique for me," said Jordan.

Jordan will continue on to The College of Wooster in the fall. He'll likely have a bachelor's degree when he's 18 years old―making the seemingly impossible, possible.

"Impossible no, because there are still people out there who can do it. It all comes down to if you enjoy doing it and if you really want to do it and you're willing to put in the time, then that's what makes it possible," said Jordan.