PELLY BAY - Talking with Donna Rodnunsky is a touch disconcerting.

She is only 14-years-old, but is taking university courses after graduating her Kugaaruk high school in January.

Donna Rodnunsky hasn't been tested to see if she is a genius, but the evidence is there. This Kugaaruk girl has graduated high school at 14-years of age, has five older siblings who have tested at the genius level. She is writing a novel in her spare time, as she begins pre-med courses. Rodnunsky wants to be a doctor and practice in Nunavut. - photo courtesy of Malcolm Coupe

Her serious voice and matter-of-fact statements are difficult to reconcile with her age. When a 14-year-old talks about her childhood in the past tense, it can be hard for an adult to comprehend.

"We knew in kindergarten. I got moved into a Grade 2 class. It was a split two and three, so the next year, I was moved to Grade 4," Rodnunsky recalled.

Her best friends are older - 17 and 18 years-old - and Rodnunsky thinks being skipped ahead grades was needed.

"It gets harder being around kids your own age, who don't have the mental maturity I do. You get girls talking about boys, and I'd rather talk about politics," she said.

Rodnunsky is not arrogant, but she isn't afraid to explain her gift either.

"People say ‘But she's so young, what if she doesn't understand.' I think grade acceleration is better than staying with your supposed peer group. I don't hang out with many kids my own age, I have my best friends," she said.

Now she is taking three courses - English, sociology and psychology - from the Thompson River Open University, and wants to move on campus, as soon as Dad will let her.

"When I'm 16, I'll live on campus. I feel like I could do it now, but my father wants to keep me close," said Rodnunsky.

She said she wants to become a doctor and practice in Nunavut. Kugaaruk has been her home since she was eight years old, and returning is a part of the plan.

"I want to go to medical school. I've noticed that the doctors have to fly in. I'm going to come home to work," said Rodnunsky.

How do you raise a genius? Donna's father, Kugaaruk school principal Sydney Rodnunsky, has some experience.

"We knew by the time she was three years old. I have five adult children and they are all extremely bright. I am a member of Mensa (an organization of people with a tested genius IQ). We haven't had her tested, but I'm sure she would qualify. We tested the older kids, but they all would qualify," said Sydney Rodnunsky.

A steady diet of books helps to feed a genius IQ, and Donna Rodnunsky is well read.

"When I was younger, I read a lot of Greek mythology. I spent most of my childhood reading. Now I read anything I can get my hands on. I'm actually trying to write a book right now. It is fiction, kind of fantasy and action," she said.

Dad may be the principal, but the teacher who has mattered most has been Donna's mother, Teresita Rodnunsky.

"The advantage came from Mom, she was a stay-at-home Mom, and now she is a teacher. She helped," Donna said.

Grade acceleration is a controversial subject for educators.

Is it better to have bright kids skip grades, or do they benefit from being with their peers, or "supposed per group" as Donna calls it.

"There is a whole body of knowledge that says it (grade acceleration) is fine, but there are a lot of people who are unconvinced," said Rodnunsky.

Kugaardjuk school in Kugaaruk is becoming a bit of a genius factory. Along with Donna Rodnunsky and her younger brother, there are two other children who have skipped grades.

"Most schools are not set up to deal with gifted children. They don't have to accelerate, but it tends to work out better," said Sydney Rodnunsky.

Department of education officials are staying out of the issue of accelerating gifted children through grades. A bright kid can be skipped through grades, but only if their parents can afford the bill.

"Before we do any early promotion, there is some psychological testing that takes place, at the expense of the parents," said Kathy Okpik, deputy minister of education.

Okpik explained that an IQ test and a study of the child's work habits must be completed before early promotion is considered.

"We do not have a policy on early promotion. We aren't crazy about it, it creates issues. We deal with it on a case by case basis," said Okpik.

Instead of early promotion, the department of education favours other methods.

"We prefer to provide extra-curricular activities, supported e-learning, and tutoring, Children should be learning with their peers," said Okpik.