Achunike Okafor, a Nigerian graduate, has been honored by Science Park High School in Newark, New Jersey, for his exceptional academic performance. Okafor achieved a record-breaking 4.625 grade-point average (GPA) and received an International Baccalaureate diploma, making him the student with the highest GPA among Newark’s 2023 graduates and setting a new record for the city’s public school district.
Okafor’s outstanding academic achievement earned him over 40 scholarship offers, including from prestigious universities such as Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Princeton, Penn State, Stanford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Southern California, and Rutgers. He has chosen to pursue a neuroscience degree at Harvard University.
Science Park principal Darlene Gearhart described Okafor as an extraordinary individual who is humble, driven, and eager to learn. Superintendent of Schools Roger León expressed pride in Okafor’s exceptional performance, recognizing it as a source of pride for Science Park High, the school district, and the Newark community. León praised Okafor’s perseverance, resilience, and dedication to excellence and wished him continued success at Harvard.
Okafor’s father, Godfrey Okafor, also expressed pride in his son’s achievements, emphasizing the importance of education in their family. He mentioned that his other children are also pursuing higher education in fields such as computer engineering, pharmacology, nursing, and law.
In addition to his academic achievements, Okafor was involved in various extracurricular activities at school. He co-founded the Science Club, served as vice president of the Junior Student Council and the Stand & Deliver Club, was president of the Future Educators Club and Black Student Union, co-captained the robotics team, and served as treasurer of the Environmental Club.
