Sixth Edina High Schooler Scores Perfect 36 on ACT

Edina High School junior Peter Illig scored a perfect 36 on his ACT this year, making him the sixth EHS student to achieve that honor this school year.

Illig, who took the placement exam for the first time in April, was initially shocked upon receiving his scores in the mail less than one month later.

“I expected I did pretty well, but was almost in disbelief when I saw my score because I didn’t think I did that well,” Illig said. “Taking the online tests and studying the materials whenever I had a chance really helped me prepare for the exam.”

EHS Principal Bruce Locklear said the entire school is proud of Peter and his "most recent accomplishment."

“Peter’s prefect ACT score is a significant achievement that if telling of the commitment and hard work he puts forth in his education," Locklear said. "We are all very proud of Peter.”

Illig is still trying to figure out what he wants to do after graduating from EHS, but has expressed some interest in pursuing teaching. He's active with the EHS Nordic skiing and soccer teams and enjoys playing piano in his free time.

Illig is the sixth Edina student this year to score a perfect 36 on the test, joining juniors Lara Boman and Kevin Lu and seniors Lauren Groffsky, Jessica Hankes and Andrea Kimball.

Nationally, roughly one-tenth of one percent of students who take the ACT exam manage to boast a perfect score. That's something like 780 of the estimated 1.66 million students who took the test in 2012. The ACT includes tests in English, math, reading and science. Tests are scored on a scale of 1-36, with the student's composite score an average of all four.