From Algebra II to AP Calculus BC, Lexington High School students have a wide variety of mathematics courses to choose from. However, students who desire a challenge can look beyond the classes at LHS: Harvard Extension School (HEXT) math classes. The HEXT classes, with Multivariable Calculus in the Fall and Linear Algebra in the Spring, are a flexible, university-level program available to those outside of college. This year, a record number of LHS students are taking HEXT, accounting for more than 30 of the 200 people enrolled.
To LHS junior Amal Balachundhar, there were a variety of reasons as to why he joined the program: “My main motive was to finish my math credits, but […] I didn’t want to stay stagnant. I wanted to keep pushing myself to learn more.”
Janet West, an AP Calculus BC teacher at LHS, also decided to enroll in HEXT to help students interested in the class.
“I just wanted to relearn the material for myself, my own interest, and partly because students asked me what it’s like. I want to be able to answer their questions,” West said.
With greater emphasis on independence amongst peers, HEXT’s teaching style is different from the math curriculum at LHS.
“HEXTT is very up to you to do your work. You have to attend the lectures, you have to read the lecture notes, and no one’s going to tell you what to do,” Balachundhar said.
Students have mixed feelings about the contrasting teaching style. Though some appreciate the structured nature of LHS’s math curriculum, others prefer the freedom that comes with a university-level class.
“I definitely prefer HEXT because time is more flexible. If you have any questions, a professor would still answer you,” sophomore Gary Shen said.
Although many students attend HEXT online or asynchronously, a classroom community still exists. Students submit homework done on their own while still learning and supporting one another.
“We have people we can talk to who took the class last year, which is helpful for learning the material […] I usually ask them or a classmate who’s doing the same homework for help,” Jason Deng, a senior taking a HEXT class, said.
Ultimately, students enrolled in HEXT view the program as a valuable learning experience.
“HEXT is an excellent opportunity that the school has brought to us. It’s easy to be stuck in math at other schools because they don’t have another class you can take after you finish Calculus,” Balachundhar said.
