Baldwin High School Senior Earns Perfect Score on ACT

Luna Questelles, a senior at Baldwin High School, earned the highest possible ACT Composite score of 36 on the ACT test. Approximately one-quarter of 1% of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2026, only 2,958 out of more than 1.38 million students who took the ACT earned a top composite score of 36. ACT test scores are accepted by major four-year colleges and universities across the U.S., and they are one of the many criteria that inform admissions, scholarship awards, and course placement decisions.   

“Luna has a way of making perfection look effortless, not only on the ACT, but as the incredible Valedictorian of the Class of 2026,” stated Dr. Neil Testa, principal of Baldwin High School. “This achievement is a true reflection of the dedication, talent, and character that makes Baldwin so special.”

The ACT test is a curriculum-based achievement exam that measures what students should have had the opportunity to learn in school. Students who earn a top Composite score have demonstrated mastery of the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in first-year college courses in the core subject areas.

“Earning a top score of 36 on the ACT is a significant accomplishment that signals a student’s readiness for the challenges ahead,” stated ACT CEO Steve Tapp. “It opens doors to their future and is an achievement we’re proud to celebrate.”

The ACT consists of section tests in English, math, and reading, each scored on a scale of 1 – 36, as well as optional science and writing tests. The ACT Composite score is the average of the English, math, and reading test scores. The scores for ACT’s optional science and writing tests are reported separately and are not included in the ACT Composite score.

Students who earn a 36 Composite score have met all four of the ACT College Ready Benchmarks, meaning they have a 50% chance of earning a B or higher in related first-year, credit-bearing college courses and a 75% chance of earning a C or better in those courses. ACT data show that students in college who have met at least 3 ACT benchmarks are more than twice as likely to graduate on time as students who have met none. 

Luna is no stranger to achieving perfect scores. Luna was recently named a “Finalist” in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program after achieving a perfect score on the PSAT and a 1560 on the SAT. Additionally, in eighth grade, Luna was recognized as a “National Student Leader” in the Continental Mathematics League (CML) Euclidean Division after achieving a perfect individual score.

Luna is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the English, Math, Foreign Language, Science, Social Studies and Tri-M Music Honor Societies. Additional academic accomplishments include but not limited to AP Capstone Diploma recipient, Harvard College Book Award, RIT Science and Math Award, member of the chamber orchestra and peer-to-peer mentoring program.