News & Project Notes

Posted on: September 25, 2017 - 4:35pm

Community Engagement Meeting Dates

Please join the Belmont High School Building Committee at these upcoming meetings and learn more about the project.

  • Tuesday, September 19th – 7:00 pm – Chenery Middle School
  • Friday, October 13th – 1:15 pm ─ Beech Street Center
  • Saturday, October 28th – 10:00 am ─ Belmont High School
  • Wednesday, November 15th – 7:30 pm – Belmont Town Hall
  • Tuesday, December 12th – 7:00 pm – Belmont High School

Online Survey

The Belmont High School Building Committee wants to hear from you! Our new online survey will be available soon and we invite you to share your ideas, opinions, and thoughts on the Belmont High School Building Project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Belmont need a new high school?

Belmont High School lacks sufficient space for the existing number of students. Between 2010 and 2019, it is projected that Belmont’s enrollment will have increased by 1,000 students. Lack of space adversely impacts both the educational experience of students, as well as the ability of the school’s faculty and staff to provide a proper learning environment. 

In addition, there are numerous facility-related issues at the high school. While the high school has been well-maintained, it has also been heavily used. There have been no additions or major renovations of the building since it opened in 1970. Most of the utilities are original to the building, have reached the end of their useful life, and are not energy efficient. The building lacks the appropriate spaces and technologies to fulfill modern educational goals.

What grades will be in the new high school? What are the possible grade configurations?

The Belmont High School Building Project is reviewing multiple grade configuration options: 7-12, 8-12, and 9-12. Both the 7-12 and 8-12 grade configurations offer significant opportunities to relieve overcrowding at the elementary schools and the middle school. Should the Town decide to include lower grades on the Belmont High School campus, careful work will be done to ensure adequate separation between younger and older students. Some strategies that may be employed to achieve this include: physical separation of classroom wings; adjusting school schedules such that older and younger students arrive and depart at different times; and carefully controlling the flow of students through communal areas. 

What is the Belmont High School Project timeline?

Completion of Feasibility Study: Spring 2018
Completion of Preferred Schematic Design: Summer 2018
Securing of Project Funding: November 2018 or April 2019
Completion of Building Design: TBD (approximately 12-15 months)
Completion of Building Construction: TBD (approximately 24-36 months)

Where can I find answers to other questions about the project?

Visit www.belmonthighschoolproject.org for answers to questions such as:

When will the high school open, and what happens to students during construction?

What would a new school look like?

Will the new building be “green”?

What are the project costs and how will it be funded?

Who are the partners in the Belmont High School Building Project?

Who will build the new school?

How can I be involved in the process?