As you begin to navigate Lexington High School, you may start hearing unfamiliar phrases like “Comms 1” or “IDLC”. These are words that you will definitely make use of throughout your time at LHS. So, we created a guide with all the necessary slang you should know as you explore the campus.
IDLC/SLH: The Independent Learning Center, or Science Lecture Hall, is located on the left side of the science building. Most students go there when their teacher is absent, or for club meetings. Testing for national language exams, math exams, or overflow for MCAS also occurs in the IDLC.
LMC: The Library Media Center is located in the main building inside the LHS library. The LMC is an air-conditioned classroom that is directly connected to the library and its resources. For this reason, some teachers occasionally hold classes in the LMC. During spring of your freshman year, your history teacher may hold classes here to conduct research for your Freshman Research Paper. It is also open after school until 4 p.m., which is when many people go there to study while waiting to be picked up.
Quad: The quad is by far the most popular place at LHS, as it is right in the middle of campus. It is the space between all four buildings and features the rainbow Sources of Strength wheel. Here, students often eat lunch, meet up before and after school, and congregate during passing time. Fun fact: when you stand in the middle of the Sources of Strength wheel, you can hear your voice echo!
Comms 1 & 2: You may often hear other students say, “Let’s meet in Comms 1/2.” The Commons are the school’s two cafeterias where students can eat lunch. There are also tents outside of both Commons where students can eat in the shade.
Mods: The mods are another term that you will commonly hear, especially if you are a freshman. The mods contain the freshmen humanities classrooms. They are also the location of many club meetings and are great during the beginning and end of the year because they are air-conditioned. Additionally, you may hear of the science mods, which refer to the classrooms that are connected to the science building.
Frees: Although frees are only for upperclassmen, they are definitely something to look forward to as a freshman. Frees are unscheduled blocks where you can study, meet with a teacher, or hang out with friends. You can also go off-campus during frees and spend the block doing whatever you need to do. Unfortunately, underclassmen only have studies, which are blocks where they can work quietly in an assigned classroom.
The “rocks”: Frequently heard during lunchtime, this term refers to the rocks outside of the science building entrance. While some students sit on the rocks to eat lunch, it also serves as a general meeting place.
The (Math) Dean’s Office: Even though you will learn where your dean’s office is within the first few weeks of school, it should be noted that the dean’s office in the math building is famous for its lollipops. Students visit when they want to grab lollipops with friends, and it is a good place to spend the last five minutes of lunch!
The Link: As your gym teachers will tell you at the beginning of the school year, the link is the space between the gym and the field house. Many gym classes meet there before going into the field house or outside.
Navigating LHS can be hard, especially when you are traveling between four different buildings. It is completely normal to get lost in a place as big and confusing as LHS. However, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help! The teachers and upperclassmen are here to support you. With this guide, you will be one step closer to becoming an expert on LHS slang.
