Junior Samuel Payne earned the highest possible composite score of a 36 during the March administration of the ACT. This achievement is a rare occurrence in regard to academic performance, and the ACT is a reflection of this academic readiness.

“I was very surprised,” Samuel Payne said. “When I saw the ACT website report, I thought it must be a mistake and they sent me a generic score report to show me what one looked like.”

On average, only around .0136 percent of students who take the ACT will receive a top score.

“I’ve never had any student before make a perfect score in my thirty year experience in education,” counselor David Ramsey said. “I’ve had some get close before but never a perfect score. I know it is a huge honor, and he must have just hit it perfectly that day.”

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science, each of which is scored on a 1-36 scale. A student’s composite score is their average across all four tests.

“I wasn’t really aiming that high,” Samuel said. “I wanted to do my best, and I suppose my best was pretty good.”

This achievement is likely to include numerous scholarship opportunities and recognition from colleges around the nation. While it is uncertain which scholarships Payne is eligible for right now, opportunities will be likely to surface during the application process.

“Sam makes me proud all the time,” Samuel’s mom Katy Payne said. “However, this accomplishment is pretty great, and I can’t wait to see how many doors will be opened for him because of this.”