Sanford first-grader Anaya Browne accepted into Mensa after top test score

A Sanford first-grader has turned early signs of unusual talent into a Mensa acceptance, after Anaya Browne scored higher than 99.9% of students her age on a standardized intelligence test. The 7-year-old Wilson Elementary School student reached the milestone in May, putting a spotlight on the family and school support that helped identify her abilities early.

Her parents, Kevis Browne and Tiffany Browne, said they had noticed Anaya’s memory and curiosity since she was a baby and later chose to have her evaluated. In an interview around May 27, Anaya said she was nervous about the testing but “did amazing.” The Brownes also said working from home in her early years helped shape her development, and they described a child who already excels in gymnastics, swimming, piano, chess and reading. Kevis Browne said she placed second overall in Florida in her gymnastics age group.

Anaya’s acceptance also reflects how Seminole County handles advanced learners once they are identified. Seminole County Public Schools says it serves gifted students through individualized plans that include academic and social-emotional support. Wilson Elementary, in the northwest quadrant of Seminole County, serves about 950 regular education students in grades K-5 and also serves gifted students, making it one of the district settings where exceptional ability can be recognized alongside everyday classroom instruction.

For families wondering what comes next, the Brownes’ experience shows the path often starts with close observation at home and in school, then moves to formal testing and tailored support. American Mensa requires applicants to score in the top 2% on an accepted, supervised intelligence test, and says members range in age from 2 to 102. The organization says it has more than 40,000 members in the United States and around 150,000 worldwide, along with gifted-youth resources, educational tools, networking and events.

The local backdrop is a district with more than 67,000 students and 10,000 employees that has been rated A by the Florida Department of Education for all but one year from 1999 through 2025. Anaya’s first-grade teacher said she was grateful to have been part of Anaya’s life and wished her the best, underscoring how much of the child’s progress came from both home and school.