Mississippi News
Madison Central student earns perfect AP exam score
Madison Central student one of six in the world to achieve perfect score on AP exam
When Madison Central High School sophomore Leo Mei took the two-hour-long Advanced Placement Psychology test last spring, he had no idea he’d be one of six students in the world to attain a perfect score. There were 262,700 total test takers from all over the globe.
“It’s just phenomenal,” said Madison Central High School principal Sean Brewer.
Advanced Placement, or AP, courses give high school students a chance to take on college-level work. And those who score a three or higher on the AP exam can earn college credits for it.
State education leaders have long touted the importance of Mississippi students’ access to AP offerings, and AP participation is a component of school districts’ yearly accountability ratings, or grades, given by the state education department.
Mei, now a junior, is humble when talking about his achievement.

He attributes it to a lot of hard work, which he has seen modeled by his parents, who are both medical researchers at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He said both came from poor families in China.
“Through hard work, they made it to some of the top universities in China and eventually came here” to the United States, he said. “They have one of the biggest success stories ever, and that motivates me.”
And he has a passion for the subject. He would often research topics covered in class that interested him on his own.
“It’s about how the human mind works, and that’s one of the most mysterious things that science is (still) learning about today,” he said of psychology.
While Mei remains humble about his intelligence, his teachers and those who know him don’t mince words when asked about him.
Mei’s AP Psychology teacher Brett Mayfield refers to him as “absolutely brilliant.” He said he doesn’t know many teachers who could make a perfect score on the test.
“It does have some recall questions, but most of the questions are application … They require the students not just remember the concepts but be able to apply the concepts in real life situations,” he said.
The free response portion is particularly difficult to do perfectly, Mayfield said.
“There’s very specific criteria to make sure there’s a breadth and depth of knowledge (in the student). Those questions are very centered on analysis and application — just getting a perfect score on the free response is impressive in and of itself.”
Now a junior, Mei is taking six Advanced Placement courses, which he describes as “fun.”
“They really are!” he said after several reporters, administrators and teachers let out a chuckle at a press event for Mei earlier this month. “They cover complex topics that are really interesting in themselves, but I also have really great teachers.”
And luckily, Mei, who has been in the district since fourth grade, is at a school that has a robust offering of advanced courses and a culture that encourages academics. Madison County School District also pays for one Advanced Placement test for every student each year — no small expense as the tests run at about $100 each.
At Madison Central High School, where about 1,200 students attend, around 400 AP exams are given each year to students, according to the school’s testing coordinator.
Mayfield, who now works at the Mississippi Department of Education, said the school has led the way for years in terms of AP offerings.
“We started new AP programs and re-evaluated our programs regularly. We really did try to give students rigorous instruction in those AP courses,” he said.
Brewer says he’s constantly awed by the culture of both the students and community.
“We’re blessed to have a collection of students who want to be challenged and have a drive and a passion to succeed academically,” said Brewer.
He said he will often visit some of the classrooms just to listen to the discussions the students are having.
“The depth on the topics (they talk about) is fantastic,” he said.
When Mei isn’t immersed in homework and other research, he’s usually reading science fiction, his favorite genre, or playing the piano.
At the end of this year, though, much of his time will undoubtedly be spent applying to the nation’s top colleges and universities — though the 16-year-old says he doesn’t know yet where he might want to go.
He does think he will probably major in biology as a precursor to his future medical education.
“I want to be a doctor. How living beings work and how they collapse, and how to fix that is something I’ve always been really interested in,” he said.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 25-27
SUMMARY: This weekend in Mississippi (April 25-27) features a variety of events across Central and Pine Belt regions. Highlights include MiraGotSoul at Vibe Studio in Jackson, a community Dinner and Movie in Clinton, and the Natchez Kite Festival. Enjoy live performances with Sweet Lizzy Project in Natchez and the New Bourbon Street Jazz Band in Clinton. Family-friendly activities include the Native Plant Fest and Community Farmers Market in Jackson. In Hattiesburg, catch the Henry Cho tour and the Downtown Crawfish Jam Music Festival. Overall, it’s a weekend full of entertainment, culture, and fun activities for all ages.
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 25-27 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 18-20
SUMMARY: This weekend (April 18-20), Mississippi offers a variety of events for all ages. In Jackson, enjoy Food Truck Friday, a jazz concert, free outdoor movie screenings, and multiple exhibitions including “Of Salt and Spirit” and “Hurricane Katrina: Mississippi Remembers.” For family fun, there’s an Easter Egg Hunt at the Ag Museum and “Bunnies & Butterflies” at MCM. Natchez features the Spring Pilgrimage, Lafayette’s 200th anniversary celebration, and a farmers market. In the Pine Belt, highlights include Live at Five, a Spring Candle-Making Workshop, and Easter events at the Hattiesburg Zoo. Don’t miss the Bluff City Block Party and more!
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 18-20 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 11-13
SUMMARY: This weekend in Mississippi (April 11-13), enjoy a variety of events across the state. Highlights include the Eudora Welty Birthday Bash in Jackson, Trivia Night at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, and Boots & Bling Fundraiser in Natchez. For family fun, check out the Bunny Bonanza in Jackson or the Easter Egg Hunt in Clinton. The Natchez Concours d’Elegance Car Show and Stranger Than Fiction Film Festival offer cultural experiences, while the 12th Annual Dragon Boat Regatta in Ridgeland and the Hub City Classic Car Show in Hattiesburg provide exciting activities for all ages.
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: April 11-13 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
-
News from the South - Missouri News Feed1 day ago
Missouri lawmakers on the cusp of legalizing housing discrimination
-
News from the South - Alabama News Feed6 days ago
Prayer Vigil Held for Ronald Dumas Jr., Family Continues to Pray for His Return | April 21, 2025 | N
-
Mississippi Today6 days ago
‘Trainwreck on the horizon’: The costly pains of Mississippi’s small water and sewer systems
-
News from the South - Florida News Feed5 days ago
Trump touts manufacturing while undercutting state efforts to help factories
-
News from the South - Texas News Feed6 days ago
Meteorologist Chita Craft is tracking a Severe Thunderstorm Warning that's in effect now
-
News from the South - Florida News Feed5 days ago
Federal report due on Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina’s path to recognition as a tribal nation
-
News from the South - Virginia News Feed6 days ago
Taking video of military bases using drones could be outlawed | Virginia
-
Mississippi Today3 days ago
Struggling water, sewer systems impose ‘astronomic’ rate hikes