West Orange High School senior Sahli Negassi has achieved an academic milestone by earning a perfect 1600 on the SAT, placing him among less than 1% of students nationwide who accomplish this each year.
Negassi, born in Manhattan and raised in West Orange, credits his early academic foundation to his older siblings. Although he never attended preschool, he was exposed to textbooks at a young age. His educational journey took him through Mount Pleasant and St. Cloud elementary schools, Edison and Roosevelt Middle Schools, and eventually to West Orange High School, where he excelled academically and in extracurricular activities.
When he first saw his score, Negassi was in disbelief. “I walked out of [my] first period [class] and immediately called my mom,” he said. “I showed it to a classmate, but then I got nervous and joked that it was Photoshopped. Even now, it still doesn’t feel real. But more than anything, I was relieved—I had finally proven to myself that it was possible.”
Negassi prepared for the SAT using free online resources such as Khan Academy, YouTube, and the SAT Educator Question Bank. He also attributes his success to his rigorous AP coursework, particularly in U.S. History, Calculus, and Language. Finding time to study was one of his biggest challenges, as he balanced SAT preparation with AP exams and athletic competitions.
Beyond academics, Negassi has been an active member of the West Orange High School community. He has competed in cross-country and track since seventh grade, participated in the color guard for two seasons, and is the president of the math team and National Honor Society chapter. Additionally, he plays on the varsity chess team and is a member of the Royal Strings ensemble.
“Sahli represents the best of West Orange High School,” said Principal Oscar Guerrero. “His achievement on the SAT is incredible, but what’s just as impressive is how he manages to excel across so many different activities.”
Looking ahead, Negassi hopes to attend Harvard and pursue a career in law. His advice to other students is clear: “Be intentional. Know what you want for yourself, and throw your whole body at it.”
