A Rare Feat: Two Brothers Earn Perfect ACT Scores

Seniors Charlie and Michael O’Connor share a lot of interests together. Both are Querbes Scholars and are enrolled in the STEM Program. They have run cross country, play soccer, and are actively involved in Campus Ministry and the Chinese Club.

Now, they share something else: Both scored a perfect 36 on their ACT.

The brothers are two of a set of triplets. Their sister, Ellie, is an exceptional student as well, with nearly a 4.0 grade point average. All three spent some formative years in Singapore and at Saint Viator they have excelled in the Chinese program, says their mother, Rachael O’Connor.

“Their bond grew stronger during our time living in Singapore, when they were in 3rd grade through the 1st semester of 7th grade.” she says. “During our family's expat time in Singapore, they began studying Chinese, a subject they are fortunate to be continuing all the way through their senior year here at Saint Viator.”

Their guidance counselor, Br. Rob Robertson, C.S.V., agrees that the triplets brought unique cultural experiences to the Saint Viator community.

“All three have thrived academically and count their unique experience as triplets and having lived in a foreign culture as keys to their success,” Br. Rob says. “They have contributed much to the Saint Viator and Arlington Heights communities.”

Michael and Charlie started taking math courses at Saint Viator during their eighth-grade year, while attending St. James School in Arlington Heights. In fact, they may have taken every math class offered at the school.

Not surprisingly, both boys credit Mrs. Cheryl Nowak, Math Department Chair, with helping them succeed.

“Mrs. Nowak was one of the first people I met at Viator,” Michael says. “Since day one she has been supportive of me in my academic and extracurricular pursuits, like encouraging me to join the math team my freshman year.”

His brother, Charlie, agrees, adding: “Mrs. Nowak has played an integral role in my success at Viator. She’s helped me realize I am so much more capable than I had thought, not only in the realm of math but also as a person.”

According to the ACT, about one-quarter of 1% of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In last year’s graduating class, only 3,376 out of 1.34 million students across the country who took the ACT earned a top composite score of 36.

“Earning a top score on the ACT is a remarkable achievement,” said ACT CEO Janet Godwin. “A student’s exceptional score of 36 will provide any college or university with ample evidence of their readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead.”