Lake County Sisters Excel, Join Mensa with High IQ Scores

Two sisters from Lake County, Pearle and Gigi Albert, have made headlines after being accepted into the prestigious high-IQ organization, American Mensa. The young girls demonstrated exceptional intelligence, with Pearle, aged 5, scoring an impressive 140 on her IQ test, placing her in the 99th percentile. Her sister, Gigi, 9, followed suit with a similarly high score after expressing her curiosity about her own intelligence.

The journey toward Mensa membership began with Pearle’s early development. According to their mother, Tara Albert, Pearle showed advanced skills in various areas, prompting them to have her tested. “Parents think their kids are smart. Let’s do this before we say anything,” Tara explained. The results confirmed their suspicions, leading Gigi to seek testing as well.

While their intelligence is noteworthy, the sisters are also typical children who enjoy activities such as playing with their pet bunny, Luna, and watching cartoons. They are learning multiple languages, excelling at math, and even contemplating future academic paths, including aspirations of attending Ivy League universities.

Emphasizing a Balanced Childhood

Mark and Tara Albert have focused on ensuring that their children experience a well-rounded upbringing. Although a psychologist suggested enrolling them in a gifted school, the couple decided to keep them in their current educational settings. Pearle attends a private school, while Gigi remains in public school. “We want them to grow up like regular kids,” Tara stated, emphasizing the importance of happiness in their educational experience.

Mark Albert noted, “Are your kids happy and looking forward to going to school? That’s probably one of the most important things.” The family has prioritized communication with teachers to ensure that the girls are sufficiently challenged in their studies.

Despite their commitments to academic excellence, the sisters also engage in a variety of after-school activities, including violin, piano, martial arts, and horseback riding. Yet, like many children, they cherish downtime. Tara remarked, “Any chance they get, like on weekends, they would just sit in front of the TV and do nothing. That’s what kids do.”

Social Engagement and Peer Connections

Concerns often arise regarding gifted children fitting in with their peers, but the Albert sisters seem to navigate social dynamics successfully. Pearle’s mother describes her as a “leader” in class, stating that other students naturally gravitate toward her. Gigi, too, has many friends at school.

Mark Albert remarked on how his daughters defy stereotypes associated with highly intelligent children, describing them as active, friendly, and social. “It’s not what you would think of when you think of an overly intelligent child,” he said. “They’re real active in other things, and friendly and social.”

The sisters enjoy popular culture, including the K-Pop phenomenon and eagerly anticipate the release of the new Zootopia movie. Their lively personalities shine through as they dash around their home, demonstrating that intelligence does not preclude childhood playfulness.

As Pearle and Gigi continue to grow, their parents remain committed to nurturing their talents while ensuring they also enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood. The balance they seek reflects a broader understanding of the complexities involved in raising gifted children, prioritizing both academic stimulation and emotional well-being.