Two Northgate High students earn rare ‘perfect score’ on advanced placement exams

WALNUT CREEK, CA – Northgate High School and Mt Diablo Unified School District are proud to announce that two Northgate students – senior Evan Leach and junior Jennifer Huang – earned perfect scores on college-level Advanced Placement Computer Science Exams.

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 an accomplished cross country runner, serving as Bronco 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 school’s student leadership program.

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.”

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. “We applaud the educators who encourage students to challenge themselves, who motivate and encourage diverse students to achieve their academic potential.”