His mother taught him how to read, as early as grade school he wanted to be a writer, and Faith Christian High School student Vincent Hiscock now has shown Harvard University his language skills.

The senior at the Yuba City school got A's in the two courses he took this summer at the famed university that's produced presidents and has a history dating back to 1636.

"I was impressed," the Smartsville resident said of the university near Boston, Mass. — an impression that Harvard returned, his English teacher at Faith Christian said.

Paula Finlay noted comments by one of Hiscock's professors praising a paper the 17-year-old wrote.

"Not only did he go there," Finlay said. "He had an impact."

She said Hiscock 's academic work is so good that she has her daughter, who holds a doctorate from Oxford University in England, help with his academic evaluation. "When you read his papers, you say, 'Oh, my,'" Finlay said. "It's difficult for me to grade his poetry."

Most of the other students in the Harvard classes Hiscock attended were college undergrads from around the world.

"I find myself talking the most about the people I met," he said.

Hiscock, who counts John Steinbeck as among his favorite writers, may attend Pomona College in Southern California. He said he prefers small schools.

Faith Christian High School has about 115 students.

Judith Hiscock taught her son and her three older children how to read at home. Vincent was homeschooled until the third grade.

"The first few years, I had a lot of input," she said. "After that, it's his own mind."

Now she provides an environment where Vincent can study.

"I make sure he gets his sleep," his mother said.

She's glad she was able witness her children learning the magic of reading.

"This joy would come across their faces — and this confidence that they could figure it out," she recalled.

The Harvard courses gave him a good idea of what to expect in college, Vincent said.

He has a 4.25 grade point average in high school, and on an Advanced Placement test in English received a 5, the highest score possible.

Steven Finlay, principal of Faith Christian, said he's impressed — but not surprised — with how well Hiscock did at Harvard. "He's a really bright kid," the principal said.

The four-unit university classes, one an introduction to poetry and the other on wit and humor, were held from June 21 to Aug. 15.

Contact Appeal reporter Ryan McCarthy at 749-4707 or rmc carthy@appeal-democrat.com