Arizona Senior Scores Perfect ACT After Learning Latin

A Scottsdale high school senior achieved something most students only dream about: a perfect score on the ACT college entrance exam. And he credits an unexpected study tool for his success—years of studying Latin.

Atish Bala, a senior at Great Hearts' Scottsdale Preparatory Academy, earned a composite score of 36 out of 36. Only about 3,350 students out of 1.34 million test-takers accomplish this feat each year.

The achievement came with a twist of suspense. While his classmates compared their scores on test day, a clerical error delayed Atish's results, leaving him wondering how he'd performed.

Atish had prepared for just a few weeks using online practice exams. His usual practice average hovered around 34, so he wasn't expecting perfection when he finally saw that "36" appear on his screen.

His secret weapon? Classical education, especially Latin studies. "I'm a Latin student. I kept taking it in high school and I will say that was incredibly helpful because English and vocabulary are very easy to me now," Atish explained.

The ACT measures what students learn throughout high school in core subjects like English, math, reading, and science. A perfect score suggests a student has mastered the skills needed to succeed in first-year college courses.

Why This Inspires

Atish's story shows how deep learning beats test prep. While many students spend months drilling practice questions, his classical education prepared him without focusing on standardized tests at all.

Beyond academics, Atish transformed from a quiet ninth grader into a confident leader through debate, choir, theater, and peer tutoring. This year, he starred as detective Hercule Poirot in his school's production of "Murder on the Orient Express."

He also earned recognition as a National Merit Finalist and placed fifth at the Arizona Junior Classical League State Convention. Last summer, Arizona State University selected him as a research assistant for policy analysis work.

This fall, Atish heads to Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs, where he'll pursue his goal of working in diplomacy and international relations.

"For me, the ACT score is great, but what I value most is how much I've grown here," Atish reflected. "Scottsdale Prep has shaped me into someone more confident, more capable, and more ready for what comes next."

His perfect score proves that building real knowledge pays off more than chasing test scores ever could.