Danielle Eckhoff-Bennett daughter of Bob Bennett and Karla Eckoff of Maplewood, and granddaughter of Judy Eckhoff of Albert Lea, was one of only three college-bound students in Minnesota and one of 84 in the U.S. and abroad to achieve a 36, the highest possible composite score, on the June 2009 national test administration of the ACT. Nationally, while the actual number of students earning a score of 36 varies from test to test, less than one-tenth of one percent achieve the top score.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36, and a student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. For purposes of comparison, the average composite score for the national high school graduating class of 2008 was 21.1 out of 36. Some students also take ACT’s optional Writing Test, but the score for that test is reported separately and is not included in the ACT composite score.

In the letter recognizing this exceptional achievement, ACT Chief Executive Officer, Richard L. Ferguson, pointed out that Danielle should have a choice of the widest possible range of future educational options. ACT scores are accepted by all U.S. colleges and universities.