Mount Vernon School senior Christian Foster earned the highest possible ACT Composite score of 36.
“Christian’s achievement reflects not only exceptional academic ability, but also curiosity, discipline, and a commitment to excellence,” Head of School Kristy Lundstrom said in a news release. “At Mount Vernon, we empower students to think deeply, challenge assumptions, and pursue learning with purpose. Earning a perfect ACT score is a remarkable accomplishment, and we are incredibly proud of Christian.”
About one-quarter of one percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score, according to the release. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2024, only 3,041 out of 1.37 million students who took the ACT earned a top composite score of 36.
The ACT consists of section tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science, each scored on a scale of 1–36. According to the release, a student’s composite score is the average of the four section test scores. The score for ACT’s optional writing test is reported separately and is not included in the ACT Composite score.
“When a student earns a top score of 36 on the ACT test, it opens doors to a promising future, demonstrating for colleges and universities that they are ready for the challenges ahead,” ACT CEO Janet Godwin said in the release.
The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement exam.