Anil Shanker Attributes Much of His Academic Success to TTUISD

by Lucy Worley

November 16, 2016

Anil Shanker scored above an 1800 on the SAT – and hasn't even finished middle school.

Shanker and his parents attribute much of his success to Texas Tech University Independent School District and all it has done to help him develop academically.

The longtime TTUISD student recently traveled to Duke University for the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) where he accepted an award for his exceptionally high SAT score.

The Duke TIP sought out Anil due to his SAT performance, but another group of people identified Anil's potential long before that. Deo and Mohani Shanker, Anil's parents, knew early on that they had an exceptionally bright and curious child. As kindergarten approached, they grew apprehensive about putting Anil in a traditional classroom setting.

“We needed him to have course materials at his disposal to go at his own pace and grow his interests,” said Deo, Anil's father. “TTUISD worked very well for us as a result. It was exactly what we set about to do, to give him full exposure to the Texas Education Agency curriculum. That is exactly what we got and we've been very happy with it.”

Why would a middle school student take the SAT years before he needed to?

“I knew if I could take the SAT now and learn from the experience, my confidence and performance would be that much better when I take it in high school. Those are the scores I will want to use to determine where I go to college,” Anil told us.

For Anil, college could come sooner than it does for the average student, so it's something he is already thinking about. “I would like to pursue a degree in law or business, perhaps at Rice or Stanford University.”

Whatever he chooses, he wants to emulate his father's leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. Along with starting his own non-profit foundation, Deo currently serves as president of a behavioral hospital.

It is with both Deo and Mohani's full support and sacrifice that Anil has been able to pursue the educational opportunities that have opened for him. The whole family went to Duke University this past summer for Anil to take part in the ceremony where a group of students were awarded for their outstanding SAT scores. “It was a very encouraging experience to be around students my age who are as driven as I am,” said Anil.

That drive starts with every day discipline.

Mohani explained, “I assist in helping Anil manage his curriculum and scheduling out his assignments. In addition to his schoolwork, he also is very involved in playing on his basketball team. So much so that he does his own physical training every morning. On top of that, he is a pianist and has also earned his black belt in Kuk Sool Won, a form of traditional Korean Martial Arts.”

When asked what specific parts of the TTUISD experience he has enjoyed the most, Anil said, “I enjoy being able to work at my own pace. All of my classes are interesting, but if one has stood out, it was my nutrition class. I really got a lot out of the projects we did in that class, and I loved my teacher.”

Due to Anil being vegan, the class was not only interesting intellectually but also gave him relevant tools regarding cooking for his diet.

The whole Shanker family emphasized it has not only been the great curriculum, but the great educators that have made their experience with TTUISD so rewarding. They listed name after name of teachers, principals and administrators who have made a lasting impact on Anil.

“Nothing causes a student to excel like positive feedback,” Mohani said. “Anil's teachers have done such a fantastic job of responding quickly and positively. His father and I have seen his confidence grow higher as he moves from one accomplishment to another. We are so thankful to his teachers for their part in this.”

Even though being honored at Duke University is a big feat for one of Anil's age, one can only wonder what else Anil will accomplish within university walls.