(L-R: Superintendent Hayden Moore, Counselor Anna D'Elia, Sahli Negassi, West Orange High School Principal Oscar Guerrero)
Matthew Stillman | 02.18.2025
West Orange High School senior Sahli Negassi has achieved what only a fraction of students nationwide can claim—a perfect 1600 on the SAT. With less than 1% of test-takers earning a perfect score each year, Sahli’s accomplishment is nothing short of extraordinary.
Born in Manhattan, Sahli moved to West Orange before turning one. He never went to preschool but had some old workbooks and textbooks from his three older siblings, which he referenced when asked what helped shape his early education.
When Sahli saw his perfect SAT score, the first thing he did was walk out of first period and call his mom. He showed it to a classmate but then got nervous and pretended it was Photoshop. “Honestly, it still doesn’t look right to me, like there’s a footnote at the bottom I’m missing,” he said. “But I was relieved to see it anyway. I finally proved it was possible, you know? I put it in the dirt, and now I can keep walking forward.”
Sahli’s SAT preparation was largely self-directed, relying on three free websites: Khan Academy, YouTube, and the SAT Educator Question Bank. “Khan Academy has a great official breakdown of the test’s design, and the Question Bank is perfect for targeting specific skills,” he explained. “But I needed YouTube to hunt down more of the extreme math questions that had floored me in the past.” He also credits his AP coursework—particularly in Lang, U.S. History, and Calculus—for helping him get used to CollegeBoard’s testing style.
Balancing SAT prep with an already packed schedule was no easy feat. “I spent nearly a month grinding between the May and June tests,” he said. “It was a very frenetic month, though—I was getting bullied by AP tests and trying to stay on top of track championships.” Even on test day, he barely made it to Livingston for state sectionals in time for his race.
Finding time to study was his biggest challenge. “I had to make it whenever I could—at meals, during slow class periods, on bus rides, in the middle of physics homework,” he said. “Taking it one question at a time was good enough.”
Beyond academics, Sahli is deeply involved in extracurricular activities at West Orange High School. He has been a dedicated member of the cross-country and track teams since seventh grade and spent two seasons on the color guard. He is also the president of the math team, chapter president of the National Honor Society, a varsity chess team member, and part of the Royal Strings ensemble. His involvement in multiple honor societies speaks to his well-rounded excellence.
"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, Sahli hopes to attend Harvard, his dream school, to pursue a career in law. “Harvard is the best school on my list to support me in that process,” he said. “Give me 10 years, and I’ll be out in the world doing something more important than a standardized test!”
His advice to other students is straightforward: be intentional. “You really don’t have to bring home straight As or a clean 1600 if you don’t want to. You’re a human person. There are all sorts of ways you can live your life,” he said. “I think if you actually know what you want for yourself, and you throw your whole body at it, you’re doing it right.”
Looking back, there’s only one thing he might have done differently. “I really wanted to go take the August SAT and get a 400, but my mom wouldn’t let me. That was a big missed opportunity,” he joked. “Seriously though, I wish I had put the same level of effort into the PSAT. Awards are nice, but scholarship money is no joke. You don’t get a lot of chances, so don’t waste them!”
Superintendent Hayden Moore echoed this sentiment, celebrating Sahli’s achievement as a reflection of the excellence fostered in West Orange schools. "Sahli’s story is one of dedication, balance, and passion. He’s an inspiration to our students and a testament to what can be achieved with perseverance and drive."
