Northgate, CVCHS celebrate three students earning rare perfect scores on college-level Advanced Placement exams
CONCORD, CA (Nov. 12, 2021) — Northgate High School announced that two of its students – senior Evan Leach and junior Jennifer Huang – earned perfect scores on college-level Advanced Placement computer science exams last spring while Clayton Valley Charter senior Jason Shin got perfect scores on the math portion of his SAT as well as on the AP calculus and AP European history exams.
Shin’s perfect score on the math portion of his SAT came when he took the test at the beginning of October. His perfect scores on his Advanced Placement exams came in May for calculus and last year in European history.
The Clayton resident’s favorite subjects are government and calculus, and he is interested in studying law and mathematics in college. While in lockdown, Jason launched a virtual multicultural book club at Mt. Diablo Elementary School. At Clayton Valley Charter, he started a chapter of Dear Asian Youth, is involved with Diversify Our Narrative and is a member of the school’s Curriculum Committee.
Shin is president of the National Honor Society at CVCHS and also founded the reboot of the school’s newspaper, the Talon, which hadn’t operated for years. He won a Lesher Award for Outstanding Student Editor and the Talon won second place for Best Overall Publication.
Leach was one of only 356 students in the world to earn every point possible on the AP computer science A exam. He has a 4.40 GPA and is on the Broncos cross country team, serving as team captain this year.
Huang was one of only 335 students in the world to earn every point possible on the AP computer science principles exam. She has a 4.33 GPA and is active in the Northgate student leadership program.
Tenacity and resilience
Northgate Principal Kelly Cooper marvels at the tenacity and resilience shown by her students. “What an incredible accomplishment by these Broncos,” Cooper said. “In the midst of a pandemic, where students were called upon to be self-motivated and independent in order to thrive in remote learning, they accomplished something that is difficult and rare in the best of times, and they did this through independent study.
“While we do offer these courses, neither student was enrolled in their respective areas,” Cooper explained. “They independently studied, took the tests and achieved this remarkable feat.”
Mt. Diablo Unified School District present Cherise Khaund said, “This is truly exciting news. Congratulations to these two stellar [Northgate] students on their initiative and drive to seek out and excel in computer science!”
Colleges and universities around the world receive AP scores for college credit, advanced placement and/or consideration in the admission process.
“AP courses and exams are college-level, requiring great focus and persistence among participating students,” said Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program.
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.