New Jersey Teen Shatters District's GPA Record, Scores 40 Scholarships

NEWARK, NJ — A senior at Science Park High School in Newark has earned an unfathomable 4.625 grade point average – and scored himself full rides to dozens of the nation’s top colleges.

It will be tough to top Achunike Okafor, who is now the record holder for highest GPA in the largest public school district in New Jersey.

Okafor’s extraordinary achievements earned him over 40 full scholarship offers to some of the top universities in the nation, including Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, MIT, Cornell, Brown, University of Southern California, University of Michigan, Boston, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Ramapo, Rowan, Drexel, Penn State, Montclair, TCNJ, the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Stanford.

Okafor plans to attend Harvard University in the fall to pursue a degree in neuroscience, according to district administrators, who had some bright words of congratulations for the high-achieving teen:

“Okafor's impressive achievements have brought pride and recognition to the Science Park High School and the Newark community. His exceptional academic record and determination to succeed are a testament to the hard work and dedication of both Okafor and his teachers.”

Okafor – who was previously selected for the Newark-based Audible’s Future Leaders internship program – was humble about his eye-popping achievement.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to attend such esteemed universities and to represent my family and community,” Okafor said. “I do not take lightly the privilege and responsibility to be among the few individuals selected for such an honor.”

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