A Nigerian boy, Achunike Okafor, has received an International Baccalaureate diploma from the school, after securing an extraordinary grade-point average of 4.625. According to reports, his GPA stands as the highest among the 2,649 graduates in the Class of 2023 in Newark and is the highest ever recorded in the city’s public school district.
Achunike Okafor bags over 20 scholarships
Photo credit: Google images This achievement has earned him over 40 scholarship offers from high-class universities, including Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Princeton, Penn State, Stanford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Southern California, and Rutgers. Speaking on the remarkable feat, Okafor stated, “I am grateful for the opportunities to attend such esteemed universities and to represent my family and community. I do not take lightly the privilege and responsibility to be among the few individuals selected for such honours.” The 18-year-old has expressed his desire to pursue a neuroscience degree at Harvard University. Science Park principal Darlene Gearhart described Okafor as an extraordinary individual, highlighting his humility, drive, and industriousness. She stated, “There’s absolutely nothing average about him. He’s humble, driven, and industrious. He has always been a great kid. He is always eager to learn.” Superintendent of Schools Roger León acknowledged Achunike’s exceptional performance as a source of pride for Science Park High, the school district, and the Newark community.