Avon High Junior Cole Emerine Scores Perfect 36 on ACT

Avon High School (AHS) junior Cole Emerine, 17, has earned the highest possible ACT Composite score of 36. Nationally, while the actual number of students earning the top score varies from year-to-year, on average, less than 2% of all test takers earn the top score. 

Emerine first took the test last year as a sophomore to get a benchmark score and practice for his junior year. He scored a 35 last year. 

“Our school requires everyone to take the test in their junior year, so that’s why I took it again,” explained Emerine. “I didn’t study the first time because it was just a benchmark for me. I was surprised last year to get the 35. I didn’t study this year either.” 

In addition to his dedication to his schoolwork which includes taking several Advanced Placement (AP) courses at AHS (Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, Computer Science, and Physics), his high school activities include cross country, hockey, track, band (saxophone player), and Future Scholars of Medicine Club (vice president). His interests outside the classroom include challenging himself to learn new things. 

“I like to teach myself random new things,” he said. “I taught myself some gymnastics moves like back flips and walking on my hands. Now during this quarantine period, I have been learning how to speak Italian, French and Turkish. I already take Spanish at school.”

His career goals are to obtain both a medical degree and a doctorate degree, and work in the field of cancer research. He is undecided on a college/university at this time, but has a list of potential top tier schools in mind including Duke University, Stanford University, and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Emerine has attended the Avon Local Schools since kindergarten. His father, Jeff, is the executive vice president at Automotive Events. His mother, Carolyn, worked as a mechanical engineer and now enjoys working in photography. He has two siblings, Dean is a 2019 graduate of Avon High School and now attends The Ohio State University; and Max is a freshman at Avon High School. 

 The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1–36, and a student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. Some students also take the optional ACT writing test, but the score for that test is reported separately and is not included within the ACT Composite score.