Watertown’s first Civics Academy drew such good reviews that in its second year it will be even longer so that participants can learn even more about how local government works and city departments function.
In 2026, the City of Watertown’s Civics Academy will be seven weeks, said Tyler Cote, the City’s Community Engagement Specialist and one of the Civics Academy organizers.
“Last year, we did six (weeks) and, to be honest, we ran over just about every single week on time,” Cote said. “Part of that was there’s so much to cover. Our students asked so many questions last year that we wanted to maybe give more space and time for questions, and then also allow more time for activities.”
One thing they heard from participants was that they wanted to have more time to work together to take on problem solving scenarios. In the first year, students in the Civics Academy designed their own capital improvement plan, as the City staff does each year.
“So we’re gonna run that back again this year. They really loved it last year, but they only had like 30 minutes to go through it,” Cote said. “This year we want to give them much more time so they can really get into the weeds on it.”
In the additional week, the students will work on a larger project that encompasses what they have learned in the first six weeks, Cote said.
“That seventh week it’s going to be a tabletop activity,” Cote said. “After going through and learning from several of the departments, that seventh week is going to be taking the students, putting them into different teams, and then having scenarios that touches all these different teams and all these different department focuses.”
One of the goals of the Civics Academy was to get more residents involved in Watertown’s boards and commissions.
“We’ve already had a couple members accepted to join boards and commissions that are approved,” Cote said, “And we have others that have applied and they’re in the pipeline of the process to joining boards and commissions.”
One of those students who has joined a commission is Lei Ma, who joined the Public Arts and Culture Committee.
“I was astonished how many boards and commissions there were and how they were all completely volunteer organized, and yet, so vital to how the City collects information and makes decisions,” Ma said. “And it’s so easy to join something that is within your special interest group.”
Before taking part in the Civics Academy, Ma said her knowledge of local government was limited.
“I have never really been involved in any local activism or politics or volunteering, until I moved to Watertown, and I found out that Watertown has a great community of people who are service oriented, and it’s very easy to get involved in,” Ma said. “The Civics Academy is one of the, I would say, easiest ways to start understanding what kinds of help the City needs from regular people.”
The first Civics Academy class had 20 people from all walks of life, Ma said.
“From people who have lived in Watertown their entire lives, to people who just moved to the country a few years ago, a few months ago, and a couple of high school students,” she said. “So the age ranges were really wide, as well.”
Each class featured presenters from City government, such as City Councilors, or who work in City Hall, like members of the Community Development and Planning, Health and Human Services, Veterans Services or other departments.
“I think, what made it really engaging was everybody, all of the students were asking questions the entire time, so it wasn’t just us being lectured at,” Ma said. “It was them saying something, and then being in conversation with the class. And everybody who was presenting was very patient and thorough with taking in our curiosity and then responding enthusiastically to it and answering our questions, and eager to educate us on what they know.”
Members of the first class still keep in touch through an online group where they share information. She anticipates more people to be added when the second class completes the academy.
“I would recommend Civics Academy for anybody who wants to feel more connected to the place that they live and wants to meet a cool group of people that they otherwise would not meet,” Ma said. “And to share in a unique experience of bringing people together to get stuff done locally.”
Applications for the Civics Academy are now open and will close on March 8, 2026. To participate, you must be a Watertown resident. Class size is limited, and priority will be given to residents who have not participated in City Boards, Commissions, or other Municipal Bodies. Applicants will be informed of their enrollment status in March 2026 after applications close. Click here to apply.