Saint Mary's Hall celebrates Leonora Leykum '24 for earning a perfect score on a college-level Advanced Placement® (AP®) Exam in spring 2022. Leonora was one of only 22 students in the world to earn every point possible on the AP English Language and Composition Exam.
Leonora is the second student in recent SMH history to earn a perfect AP score, joining Nicholas Campos ’22, who received a perfect score on the AP U.S. History Exam, in achieving this rare honor.
“Saint Mary’s Hall is committed to providing a world-class education to all of our students, which includes deep study of Literature and the English language. We are delighted to celebrate Leonora and her teacher, Mrs. McDonald, for this amazing accomplishment,” said Head of School, Len Miller.
When asked if there was a secret to her extraordinary performance, Leonora offered that “taking feedback and using it to improve instead of just moving on” is an important part of her learning process. Leonora was instructed in AP English Language and Composition by Ronessa McDonald. Mrs. McDonald said, “Leonora is a rare talent in this world, and we are all very proud of her.”
“AP courses and exams are college-level, requiring great focus and persistence among participating students,” said Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program. “We applaud the educators who encourage students to challenge themselves, who motivate and encourage diverse students to achieve their academic potential.”