MADISON – Josh Abreo, a senior at James Clemens High School, earned the maximum score of 36 on the American College Test (ACT).

“Josh Abreo has joined our ’36 club,'” James Clemens Principal Dr. Brian Clayton said. “We have two students with scores of 36 in James Clemens’ three years of existence.”

Abreo did study for the ACT, repeatedly taking practice tests. “While courses at James Clemens did help, it was mainly the ACT practice tests from ‘the red book’ that allowed me to hone my test-taking skills,” Abreo said.

For Abreo, questions in ACT’s reading section were most difficult. Students must read four passages and answer 40 questions in only 35 minutes, preventing most people from finishing.

“Having a great ACT score obviously helps to get scholarships, but it’s often not the end-all, be-all,” Abreo said. “Colleges (usually) consider an applicant holistically, evaluating both academic and non-academic credentials.”

Most Alabama colleges will offer full tuition, but out-of-state public and private schools assess each applicant holistically.

On the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT), Abreo rated a composite score of 2330 (possible 2400) and a ‘superscore’ of 2370.

A Madison native, Abreo said his parents immigrated to the United States from India for higher education studies.

His parents are Dennis and Felicia Abreo. He works as a software engineer for Bentley Systems. She works as a tax advisor at H&R Block. Josh’s 15-year-old sister Michelle is a James Clemens junior.

A National Merit Semifinalist, Josh is Quiz Bowl team captain and a member of National Honor Society and cross-country team. He volunteers at Crestwood Medical Center.

In the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, Josh was a finalist and special award winner. He was a finalist at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.

Josh earned first place in the Alabama State Science and Engineering Fair and was semifinalist with Siemens Competition for Math, Science and Technology.

Undecided about college, Josh has applied to in-state and out-of-state colleges and private universities. He will major in engineering, either chemical or electrical.