Despite being just five points short of a perfect International Baccalaureate score, 40 out of 45 wasn't good enough for Alix de Caritat de Peruzzis, who topped Narrabundah College's IB program.
The 18-year-old was expecting a 42 or 43, and put the difference down to not enough study.
But Peruzzis' teachers, who describe him as a high achiever, say the teenager has a bright future ahead of him.
''I'll be back to work middle of February,'' Peruzzis said.
''I'm going to university to study mechanical engineering. It combines all my interests - physics, chemistry, maths.''
Peruzzis was one of 36 students who followed the rigorous IB curriculum over two years and sat for the diploma last year. The group's average score of 31 translated to an Australia Tertiary Admissions Rank of 85.35.
Head of the program Sue Boettcher said the students' hard work was worth it, because those who completed the program ''would have a credential that was recognised by universities around the world''.
Canberra College's Alistair Smith topped the school's IB diploma with a score of 34. Fellow student Kate Sivonen followed closely with a score of 33.
Canberra College principal John Stenhouse said three people sat for the IB diploma, with Sivonen obtaining the maximum score in Japanese.
''Kate came to the college at the start of 2010 having been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and a very pronounced speech defect,'' Mr Stenhouse said.
Undeterred by the diagnosis, Sivonen took on the IB program and the ACT Year 12 certificate, achieving an ATAR of 96.96. She also volunteered at RSPCA during the diploma and undertook community work for the Mitrataa Foundation, writing homework tasks for students in Nepal.
''She has worked extremely hard to improve her speech articulation and has overcome the hurdles of her disability,'' Mr Stenhouse said.
''She is an example for all students that with hard work and a singular mindset you can realise all your ambitions.''
Canberra Girls' Grammar School started the diploma last year and Melba Copland Secondary School also offered the IB diploma.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma is offered to more than 120,000 students in more than 2000 schools worldwide.
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