Schools

New High School Building Taking Shape, Featuring Larger Gym, Theater & Classroom Spaces

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A view from the stage of the new theater in the new Watertown High School. A group toured the building on Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A wide expanse of gym space, a theater that features a main stage and a black box theater, a two story media center, and large classrooms are some of the highlights of the new Watertown High School building that is about six months away from opening. School and City officials and employees toured the construction site on Columbia Street on Oct.

Schools

Watertown Senior Among Fontbonne Students to Get Early Admission to Assumption University

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Nine seniors at Fontbonne, including Watertown’s Lily Carpenter (center), open their decision letters from Assumption University. (Courtesy of Fontbonne)

The following piece was provided by Fontbonne:

Excitement and anticipation filled the foyer at Fontbonne, The Early College of Boston on Oct. 22 as nine seniors, including one from Watertown, opened their acceptance letters from Assumption University. 

Students had already turned in their applications last week and interviewed with Assumption’s admissions counselor at Fontbonne to complete the rest of the process that same day. “I really loved that I could get this opportunity earlier, so I’m not as stressed later on,” senior Addison Rich said. 

Lily Carpenter of Watertown said she had a good experience with the Assumption representative. “When the day came, I had a really great interview, and the admissions counselor was really friendly and really nice to talk to.

Entertainment

Mass.’s First Poet Laureate Appearing at Atrium School in Watertown, Public Welcome

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The following announcement was provided by the Atrium School:

Atrium School’s BIPOC Leader Series will host An Evening of Poetry & Prose featuring Massachusetts’ inaugural Poet Laureate, Regie Gibson, together with educators from Atrium School’s Summer Writing Fellowship. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, November 21, at Atrium School in Watertown. The evening will showcase powerful storytelling and original work by Boston-area teacher/writers of color, alongside live literary performances from Gibson – internationally recognized poet, educator, songwriter, and creative voice. “In this moment, educators’ voices are more important than ever. These writers will truth-tell and inspire.

Schools

German International School of Boston Opens Campus in Watertown for Preschool to Grade 3

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A ribbon cutting for the opening of the German International School of Boston’s new Preschool to Grade 3 campus in Watertown was held on Oct. 14, 2025. (Courtesy of GISB)

The following information was provided by the German International School of Boston:

German International School Boston (GISB) officially opened its doors to 134 students in preschool through grade 3 this Fall at a newly renovated school building at 46 Belmont Street in Watertown, MA. The school building was inaugurated by the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr. Sonja Kreibich at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 7, 2025. State Representative Steven Owens and Watertown District A City Councilor Nicole Gardner joined the GISB Board of Trustees, the Facility Committee, parents, friends, donors, and staff to celebrate the milestone.

Government

Council Still Considering Options for Rebuilding Middle School After Long Discussion

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Watertown Middle School (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)

The City Council drilled down on what factors would determine whether to do a full renovation/rebuild of Watertown Middle School, or to do more basic repairs now and a bigger project later. After more than two hours of deliberation on Tuesday night Councilors had not made a decision and some key questions remain unanswered. The City Council heard from City and school officials, as well as Watertown’s project management firm for school building projects. City Manager George Proakis outlined the financial implications of each option, and some of the hurdles that lay in the paths of even the lowest cost options. In 2024, the City Council had a similar discussion, and decided to make a new Middle School a priority.

Elections

Early Voting in the 2025 Watertown Election Starts Tuesday, See Who’s Running

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown City Hall, the site of early voting for the 2025 Watertown Eleciton. The Watertown City Election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, but registered voters can participate in Early In-Person Voting at City Hall beginning Tuesday, Oct. 28. Races include City Councilor At-Large, District C City Council, School Committee, and Library Trustees.

Elections

Election 2025: See the School Committee Candidate Q&As

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The race for Watertown School Committee features five candidates and at least one new person will join the committee. Watertown News reached out to the candidates to find out more about them. See details in the Candidate Q&As. Two incumbents seek re-election, and three candidates seeking a seat (one of whom has experience on the School Committee). Voters can select three candidates for School Committee 2025 Watertown Municipal Election.

Elections

View the School Committee Candidate Forum Video

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Monday night, the candidates for Watertown School Committee appeared at a live forum and answered questions about the future of the middle school, the school budget, vocational education, making students and family feel welcome in the Watertown Public Schools, and more. The candidate forum is the fourth hosted by WCA-TV and Watertown News. See how the candidates — David Stokes, Jessica Middlebrook, Joe Ganno, and Sheila Krisnan (Amy Donohue could not attend) — responded to the questions posed by host Maya Shwayder. Watch the video by clicking here: http://vodwcatv.org/internetchannel/show/4171?site=1

More Candidate Forums

On Oct. 6, the candidates running Councilor At-Large — Tom Tracy, Tony Palomba, Theo Offei, John Gannon, and Caroline Bays — appeared at the Middle School Auditorium.