At just 17 years old, Sahli Negassi from West Orange, New Jersey, has accomplished what less than 1% of students ever do — a perfect score of 1600 on the SAT.
Born in Manhattan and raised in West Orange, Sahli’s educational journey began at Mount Pleasant and St. Cloud elementary schools. Despite never attending preschool, he found inspiration early on through his older siblings’ textbooks. That hunger for learning never faded.
“I walked out of first period and immediately called my mom,” Sahli recalled. “I showed it to a classmate, but then I got nervous and joked that it was Photoshopped. Even now, it doesn’t feel real. But more than anything, I was relieved — I had finally proven to myself that it was possible.”
What makes his achievement even more remarkable is how he got there. Sahli prepared almost entirely on his own — no pricey tutors, no prep boot camps — just free tools like Khan Academy, YouTube videos, and a relentless commitment to his goals.
Balancing test prep with AP classes and athletics wasn’t easy. Between AP Language, U.S. History, and Calculus, and competing in track and cross-country, Sahli had to squeeze in study sessions during meals, class breaks, and even bus rides. “Taking it one question at a time was good enough,” he said.
But academics are just one part of his story. Sahli is president of both the math team and National Honor Society, a varsity chess team member, and plays in the school’s Royal Strings ensemble.
“Sahli represents the best of West Orange High School,” said Principal Oscar Guerrero. “His SAT score is incredible, but what’s even more impressive is how he thrives in every area — from academics to athletics to the arts.”
Sahli has his sights set on Harvard and hopes to pursue a career in law. “Give me 10 years,” he said, “and I’ll be out in the world doing something more important than a standardized test.”
His advice to other students? Simple and powerful: “Be intentional. Know what you want for yourself, and throw your whole body at it.”
