As Advanced Placement exams drew near in the spring of 2012, many students felt the pressure of the test building. And if this pressure was building on anyone, it would have most likely been on the only Middletown High School freshman taking AP calculus, Kundan Chintamaneni.
Now, months later, the results of the AP calculus exam have been released and Chintamaneni knew that all the pressure had been worth it, for he was one of the 17 people in the United States to earn a perfect score on the exam.
“It’s a real privilege and honor,” says Chintamaneni. “I love math, and it is great to see that it’s paid off.”
Chintamaneni has always been known by his friends as an excellent math student, as he traveled to Middletown High School for half days of math courses when he was in middle school.
It is not doubted that Chintamaneni loves math, as he treats math and science like a star athlete would treat sports.
“I do a lot outside of school too,” he says. “I have attended various competitions, which are very fun and challenging.”
It can be hard to fathom, a perfect score. Kundan’s friends say that he “oozes IQ,” but Chintamaneni is much more modest when it comes to his mathematical ability.
“I love it, which helps. Also, I’ve had a great teacher— Mr. Schmidt.”
Matthew Schmidt is a calculus and geometry teacher at MHS, and taught Chintamaneni in AP calculus.
“Kundan seemed like an ordinary student at first, minus the fact that he was the only freshman in the class,” says Schmidt. “He has a natural ability for mathematics, and that showed very quickly. He is able to reference theories that are unheard of for a high school student.”
Schmidt is teaching Chintamaneni again this year in Calculus 3.
“Kundan is phenomenal. It’s great to work with a student who’s understanding of mathematics is so wide.”
The local buzz of Chintamaneni’s perfect score as a freshman has led those around him to wonder; what about college?
“No colleges or universities have approached me yet,” says Chintamaneni. “But I’m sure when it comes time, a few might be trying to recruit me. But after all, I’m only a sophomore right now. There’s still plenty of time.”
Chintamaneni will be taking college math courses starting next year, since he’s in the highest grade school math course, clculus 3, as a sophomore.
Chintamaneni says he doesn’t have an idea for a career yet, but it will definitely have to do with mathematics and science.
He is also a part of the MHS orchestra, academic team and the math club, Mu Alpha Theta.
