JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – At an age when most teens are just starting high school, 14-year-old Elin Facey is preparing to graduate with her diploma — and already planning her next step: college.
Facey, a Jacksonville student, accelerated through her coursework by completing Florida Virtual School Flex classes and homeschooling, skipping five grade levels in less than two years.
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Her path wasn’t always smooth.
“This whole journey started when I was in sixth grade,” Facey said. “I was failing because I didn’t have motivation. My mom pulled me aside … and that’s when things changed.”
Her mother, Deidra Facey, said that moment marked a turning point for the family.
“We were up day and night, sometimes 1 a.m.,” she said. “She had that drive, and I just kept motivating her — telling her, ‘You can do it.’ And she did.”
Facey said the transition to accelerated learning wasn’t easy at first, but it helped her recognize her potential.
“At first it was difficult, but once I got used to it, I realized I had a lot more in me,” she said.
Along the way, she reached milestones years ahead of schedule — including taking the ACT at 13 years old. She said being in a testing room with older students was intimidating but ultimately a positive experience.
Now 14, Facey has received more than 90 college acceptance letters and has decided to attend Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. She plans to begin her studies online before transitioning to in-person classes in the coming years.
Despite the academic pace, her mother said maintaining balance remained a priority.
“We made sure she still had time to be a kid,” Deidra Facey said. “We took trips, she spent time with friends, and stayed involved in church.”
Facey said one of the biggest sacrifices along the way has been growing up faster than her peers.
“I had to mature quicker,” she said. “But it helped me realize there’s more to life, and it made me stronger.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue a career combining law and real estate.
She also has a message for other students.
“Stay focused,” Facey said. “Don’t let distractions or other people hold you back. Believe in yourself.”