Perfect Score: Malibu High School Student Earns Rare '5' Grade On AP Exam

MALIBU, CA — Malibu High School senior Molly O’Neill earned a rare achievement by getting a perfect score on her college-level Advanced Placement art exam, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announced this week..

O’Neill is one of 337 students to earn a perfect score on the 2-D art and design exam, putting her grade in the top 0.68 percent of the 49,000 students worldwide who took the test, according to the district.

O’Neill said she aspires to be a film director like her grandfather and great-grandfather.

“My AP perfect score was quite unexpected, but I am very excited that my portfolio impressed the College Board,” O’Neill said. “My experiences from taking photography in school have definitely supplied me with the knowledge I need for filmmaking, and so I am grateful I had the experience to create a portfolio.”

The College Board's Advanced Placement, or AP, program offers students a more challenging course of study compared to other high school classes. The courses culminate with exams that allow students to earn college credit or placement based on their scores.

“AP courses and exams are college-level, requiring great focus and persistence among participating students,” Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement program said. “We applaud the educators who encourage students to challenge themselves, who motivate and encourage diverse students to achieve their academic potential.”

Another SMMUSD student, Santa Monica High School senior Emmaline Thorpe, also earned a perfect score on the 2-D art and design exam, the district said.