Fewer than one percent of high school students nationwide earn a perfect score on the ACT exam—in fact, the percentage is closer to just 0.01 to 0.02 percent. Coal City High School’s Jacob Cimino is among that elite group of academically gifted students. From what is known, Jacob is the first student in school history to accomplish this remarkable academic feat.
“This is not just an amazing feat, it is an unbelievable accomplishment,” said Coal City High School Principal Art Stafford, as he joined the Coal City Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education in recognizing Jacob at its meeting on Wednesday, July 9.
“In my 50 years I have never seen that score, what dedication it took to do that, you are certainly to be congratulated,” said Ken P. Miller, president of the Board of Education, and a former high school guidance counselor.
The ACT, which serves as a state graduation requirement, is administered each spring to all high school juniors. ACT scores determine a student’s readiness for college-level coursework, thus institutions of higher education routinely utilize the scores in admissions decisions. ACT scores are also used in the selection of Illinois State Scholars and in some cases scholarship opportunities.
ACT is a timed exam focused on the core subjects of English, math, reading and science. There is also an optional writing component that asks students to complete an essay within a 40 minute timeframe. Students are allotted 45 minutes to respond to 75 English questions, 60 minutes to finish 60 math problems, and answer 40 reading and 40 science questions in two 35 minute sessions.
Approximately 1.38 million U.S. high school students take the test annually. According to the most recent data posted by ACT, Illinois’ average composite score is 24.5.
Jacob is one of nine students in the Coal City High School class of 2026 to earn a score of 30 or higher, an accomplishment of roughly 6 percent of students nationwide.
Superintendent Chris Spencer said he is incredibly proud of Jacob’s academic achievements, and those of his fellow classmates.
“This is testament to your hard work, commitment to excellence, as well as the collective efforts of you, your parents, and our faculty, staff and entire school community,” Spencer said.
Along with an outstanding academic record during his time at Coal City High School, Jacob is active in numerous extracurricular activities including band and speech. He is a two time Illinois High School Association [IHSA] State Speech Qualifier—2025 in impromptu speaking and 2023 extemporaneous speaking.
Stafford noted Cimino arrives at school everyday with a friendly greeting and a smile. “He is a super nice kid, the type of student we are lucky to have.”
The principal anticipates this to be the first of many academic accolades for the incoming senior, sharing that not only did Jacob ace the ACT exam, but scored in the top 1 percent on the National Merit qualifying exam. “He is a very strong candidate to be a National Merit Finalist, and I have never seen a National Merit Finalist in all my years,” Stafford said.
Accompanied by his parents, Rachael and Daniel Cimino, Jacob offered the Board of Education his appreciation for the recognition.