SMJUSD Students With Perfect Scores Honored

It’s a big accomplishment for some local students. About 90 students in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District were honored Wednesday evening for their perfect scores on the state academic exam. It’s also known as the California High School Exit Exam.

Along with it being a requirement for graduation, it also determines school districts’ state ranking. These 90 kids did their part in boosting that number.

“It feels really good,” said Angel Reyes, a Santa Maria High School junior. “I just feel like now people are going to look at me like ‘wow, he’s accomplished a lot.'”

Entering his junior year, Reyes is close to the top of his class. He’s never gotten any grade under an A.

“Usually it comes from home and from my parents. My mom is a hard worker. She’s taught me about how she had to go through hard times, college and everything,” said Reyes.

To go along with his spotless transcript, Reyes was one of 90 students in the school district to nail a perfect score on their High School Exit Exam. The test is taken by 10th through 12th graders and features 2 parts to test their skills in language and math. The students were honored at Wednesday’s school district board meeting.

“We’re very proud of these students,” said John Davis, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction. “It really takes a team effort. These students have supportive parents at home, they’ve got dedicated teachers that are working with them every day in class and everybody deserves credit for that.”

Reyes has another 2 years of high school left. For now, he’ll enjoy the achievement.

“I never thought I’d have a perfect score, so its an accomplishment,” said Reyes.

Righetti, Santa Maria, and Pioneer Valley high schools all had students who nailed perfect scores.