Providence Catholic Student Connor Todd Scores Perfect 36 ACT Score

NEW LENOX (May 17, 2021) – Connor Todd, a junior at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, earned a perfect 36 on the ACT test. Todd, the son of Michael and Karen Todd of Orland Hills, has plans to go into Architectural Engineering in college. He is a graduate of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School.

Fewer than half of one percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2020, only 5,579 out of 1.67 million students who took the ACT earned a top composite score of 36.

“To prepare for the ACT I purchased the ACT prepbook and took a practice test the week before and the night before the ACT, primarily having studied on my own. I also made sure to get a good amount of rest the night before the test day,” says Todd. “When I found out that I had achieved a 36, I was extremely excited and I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride. It was because of my classmates, my family, and my teachers especially that I have been able to come so far.”

“Connor is an exceptional student and member of the Providence community,” says Dr. John Harper, Principal. “The fact that he accomplished this in a year with such unique obstacles for students demonstrates the tremendous efforts he has put into his study, as well as the efforts of his family and teachers. We are very proud of Connor and look forward to seeing more accomplishments from him.”

At Providence, Todd is a dedicated member of many organizations and clubs, in addition to consistently making honor roll. He is a member of the Art Club, Math Team, Science Club, National Art Honor Society, and the National Honor Society.

“Providence has instilled a work ethic in me and has taught me the value of being able to rely on both my teachers and my fellow classmates for help,” says Todd. “The rigorous classes have prepared me for my future workload in college and shown me many of the expectations that I will have to fulfill. Providence has taught me to be independent in my work as well as to be able to work well with others.”

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science, each scored on a scale of 1–36. A student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. The score for ACT’s optional writing test is reported separately and is not included within the ACT composite score.

The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement exam that measures what students have learned in school. Students who earn a 36 composite score have likely mastered all of the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in first-year college courses in the core subject areas.