GHS students earn top scores in the nation on prestigious college-level exams

Press release from Alachua County Public Schools

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A Gainesville High School student has earned the highest score in the world on a rigorous college-level exam, with another earning the top score in the nation.

Cambridge Assessment International Education has informed the school that senior Sasha Folkers earned the prestigious “Top in World” score on the Cambridge English Language exam. Senior Oscar Conklin earned a “Top in the U.S.A” score on the Cambridge Chemistry exam.

Both are currently enrolled in GHS’ Cambridge program, an academic magnet for high-achieving students that is affiliated with Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. The Cambridge program is offered throughout the world, and students have an opportunity to earn the highly-coveted Cambridge diploma as well as college credits for high scores on Cambridge exams. More than 630,000 students worldwide take Cambridge exams each year, and more than 1000 U.S. colleges and universities, including all Ivy League schools and other prestigious institutions, offer credit for Cambridge exams.

A total of 92 GHS students and a Newberry High School student have won Cambridge International awards for their performance this year in Cambridge courses and on exams. Five of those GHS students earned Scholar Awards with Distinction, meaning they earned exceptionally high scores on three or more Cambridge exams. Those students include seniors Elizabeth Chapman and Fiona Zeyl and 2024 graduates Emma Ferrell, Mahak Reji, and Adeline Schmidt.

“We are incredibly proud of our students for their outstanding achievements on the global stage,” said GHS principal Dan Ferguson. “Earning ‘Top in the World’ and ‘Top in the U.S.’ honors from Cambridge International Education is a testament to their hard work, the dedication of our teachers, and the culture of excellence we strive to foster at GHS.”

Gainesville High School consistently scores above the national average on all Cambridge exams. GHS has offered the Cambridge curriculum and exams to students in their magnet program since 2004. The Cambridge program at GHS is available to selected qualifying students who live in Alachua County.