SEP student gets a perfect score on the ACT

A Southeast Polk junior has accomplished something he didn’t think was possible: A perfect score on the ACT.

Jackson Birdwell received a 36 on his first attempt at the ACT. Going into the test he was shooting for a 33 and planned to retake it if he didn’t score above a 30.

“There were parts of it I thought I was struggling on,” Birdwell said. “Parts of the math I was really not too confident on especially with trigonometry but I was feeling pretty good about it and thought I was going to meet my goal.”

To help prepare for the test he took a couple of classes and attended preparation courses through Southeast Polk.

Birdwell continuously studied, which is something he does outside of the ACT as well.

“I think it is really important not only to prove to myself and others what I am capable of,” Birdwell said. “I think it is important to study and do well because education is what will get us to the next level. Being prepared for a test is how I can do that best.”

In his freshman year of high school Birdwell took AP U.S. history and followed up the next year with AP world history. This year as a junior he is taking AP statistics and plans to take AP composition next year.

Birdwell is a wide receiver on the varsity football team and ran track and played baseball when he was younger.

“I’m not involved as much as I should have been,” Birdwell said. “I have been thinking about joining the debate team because it feels like something I should be a part of. I have been going to a lot of sporting events and supporting the teams that I don’t play for.”

Birdwell doesn't know where he will attend college, but he is considering studying political science or economics before going to law school. Prior to the test Ivy League schools weren’t on his radar but with the perfect score Birdwell said he has added those schools to his list.