AHS student records perfect score in STAAR science test

Everett Smick

Wanna know how much Everett Smick loves and knows about science? Just ask him a question.

Odds are pretty good - make that very good - that he’ll get the answer right. In fact, you won’t find a youngster in this entire state who knows more, at least not according to the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Test. 

Smick, who will be a sophomore at Aledo High School, recorded a perfect score of 6,376 on the STAAR science (biology) test recently to wrap up his freshman year. He answered 50 questions in a 50/50 format without missing a single answer.

Much like a bowler with a perfect game, Smick knocked down every challenge the test threw at him.

“Science is my favorite subject, as I am fascinated by learning how different things work and how people form theories through experiments,” Everett said.

“This is my first time getting a perfect score on a state exam and I am very thrilled about it!”

Everett is also on the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) track program at AHS. The STEM Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services, including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services.

The science test requires students to answer questions that are related to the properties of matter, sources of energy, and effects of force on different objects. The older students are required to do calculations and find variables such as speed and acceleration.

Different topics such as earth and space science are also covered in the test, as well as biological topics such as environments and about living organisms.

While he didn’t match his success in science, Everett proved he is an all-around very smart student. In the English and math sections he scored masters grade level scores.

Masters grade level indicates mastery of the course knowledge and skills showing that the student is on track for college and career readiness. His scores were 4,755 in English and 4,479 in math.

So, while Everett hasn’t yet decided where he wants to attend college, it certainly appears he is ready. It also seems he is on his way to a successful career in whatever he chooses, which he has also said will be in science.

“I would like to do something in the field of neurology and/or psychology,” he said. “I enjoy learning how the brain works and how we communicate with one another.”

Everett comes from a family with a history in science. His mother works in data science, his grandfather is a mechanical engineer, and his grandmother is a retired nurse practitioner.