A student at a California High School, Cedrick Argueta, earned a perfect score on the AP Calculus test. Only 11 other people out of the 302,531 who took the incredibly difficult test around the world earned every single point possible. The 17 year old son of a Salvadoran maintenance worker and Filipina nurse has become a mini celebrity thanks to his mathematical prowess.

@ 11 pm conozca a Cedrick Argueta de Lincoln Heights. Es 1 de 12 alumnos en recibir 100% en el examen AP Calculo. pic.twitter.com/RkCSLa5WPp

— Dinorah Perez (@dinorah_perez) January 28, 2016

A letter to the school from the College Board (who administer the test) called it a “remarkable achievement.” Which everyone should probably agree with considering CALCULUS IS HARD.

Cedrick’s school and classmates have joined in the celebration, including a reported school assembly where students chanted his name. Because again, CALCULUS IS HARD.

In a world where athletes are often the leading figures at school it is a powerful reminder that communities value academic achievement as well.

Students around the world struggle for recognition and encouragement. Whether it’s a student walking miles to get to school or parents sacrificing themselves to pay for their children’s classes, too often the burden of getting a full education becomes too great. And it is at these times that a community's importance becomes clear. 

Cedrick’s parents have a fascinating story. His mother, Lilian Argueta, is a Filipina immigrant who works as a nurse at two different nursing homes. She met Cedrick’s father in the US, after he immigrated from El Salvador. Credrick’s father Marcos now works as a maintenance man at one of those nursing homes. Marcos never went to High School, yet his son is a now an academic celebrity.

“It feels kind of good to be in the spotlight for a little bit, but I want to give credit to everybody else that helped me along the way,” he told the LA Times.

Some of that credit must also go to Cedrick’s teacher Anthony Yom. He treats his AP Calculus students like a sports team, getting them fired up, holding after school practice session and even organizing them all to wear matching t-shirts on test day.

For the last three years every student in Anthony’s class passed the test (again, did you hear that Calculus is HARD?). But he knows it’s the students hard work that makes the difference. “Talent can only take you so far. These kids put in so many hours.”

The family, the school, the teacher--and of course Cedrick--all deserve praise for this achievement. The achievement is a role moldel for communities around the world.

Now imagine what the world would be like if every child was given the opportunities Cedrick had.