It’s not often you see a freshman sitting in AP Calculus BC alongside seniors who have spent four years already taking math classes in high school.

Hank Sherwin, a freshman who came to The Masters School this year, is the kid sitting in that class. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when Sherwin was in third grade, schools went online, and time suddenly became much more available. Sherwin’s dad enrolled him in an online math school called The Russian School of Math (RSM) where he began studying pre-algebra. In his regular in-person school, Edgemont Junior/Senior High School (EHS), he wasn’t allowed to move up a grade in math. Unable to advance there, Sherwin continued with RSM, and by fifth grade he was taking algebra 1, putting him at a seventh-grade math level, which was two years above his grade level.

Sherwin continued to take high-level classes on his own, and by eighth grade, he switched to a faster-paced online math program called Art of Problem Solving (AOPS) and took pre-calculus and a generalized calculus course.

When applying to Masters, Sherwin’s immense knowledge and experience was evident. He recalls scoring almost everything correct on his math placement test, which only tested up to pre-calculus level math. 

Upper school math teacher Ian Mook, Hank’s current AP Calculus math teacher, explained that the transcript is often used in the math placement tests, and since Sherwin was only able to take algebra in his previous school for eighth grade, his transcript would’ve implied geometry was the next step.

However, his work outside of school was obvious and he was successful enough in the placement test that the math department placed him in Honors Precalculus BC. 

After only two weeks, though, Sherwin’s teachers realized it wasn’t quite the place for him, and he was moved to AP Calculus BC.

Despite his advancement in math in RSM and AOPS, Sherwin acknowledged that taking higher-level classes full-time at Masters was a change. 

“I haven’t really had a challenge in a school math class for a while, and it was strange finally being challenged. I was really surprised when I got my first B because that [had] never happened [before],” he said.

Mook acknowledged daily motions like homework were an adjustment for Sherwin, who was so used to doing high-level math without teachers viewing his work or peer collaboration.

Still, Sherwin has stayed with AP Calculus BC and continued doing what he loves – chasing after higher levels of math. “I find that math is … like a puzzle. You can move the numbers around, like in algebra, and eventually get to a solution.”

It’s that joy of discovery that first drew him into his pre-algebra class during COVID, and his teachers, like Mook, continue to see it fuel his hard work.

“He’s so excited about math, and loves math just as a subject, as a discipline, as a space to be creative and a space to just problem solve,” Mook said.

Taking calculus has also offered more than just a mathematical challenge. Sherwin has enjoyed having a “second friend group” by forming close relationships with students in the higher grade levels, including seniors. 

“There was some friction around the [age gap]…” Mook recalled. “But then I started to notice these really nice big sibling-little sibling dynamics happening between Hank and others in the class… people started taking him under their wing, and welcoming him in a familial sense.”

Sherwin said he knows his math abilities will always be a large part of his identity, and teachers like Mook see it as something to be proud of. 

“He’s an impressive representative of the Class of 2029 and holds his own in the classroom,” Mook said with a smile.

Still, outside of math, Sherwin hopes that people don’t just focus on his math capabilities. He hopes he can continue to form friendships, play sports, and enjoy his four years as a Panther in every way possible.