By AUBREY HAWKE
Waltham Times Contributing Writer
The School Committee heard encouraging presentations from two district departments at its Wednesday evening meeting. The leaders of the two departments – history/social studies and world languages – shared highlights and accomplishments of the programs.
History/social studies
History department director Derek Vandegrift highlighted students’ achievements during his presentation, specifically pointing out that Waltham’s middle schools were two of 70 middle and high schools throughout the state to be featured in the Massachusetts Civics Project Showcases in the summer of 2024.
He said another department highlight was its seventh grade Model United Nations program, which the department has embedded into the school year so that every seventh-grader participates.
Vandegrift cited the district’s rapid growth and its significant English language learner population as the department’s biggest challenges in recent years. He stressed that the growth and diversity of the student population are not negatives, but rather dynamics that the department has to grow to meet.
“I want to be very clear in saying the diversity of our students in Waltham is among our greatest strengths,” said Vandegrift.
Kennedy and McDevitt middle schools have a combined nine history/social studies teachers, Waltham High School has 23 such teachers and Valor High School has 1 such teacher. In total the department has 42 instructors throughout the district.
After his presentation, Mayor Jeannette McCarthy voiced her appreciation for the work Vandergrift has done as department director.
“I want to thank you for your excellence,” said McCarthy.
World languages
Cynthia Piantedosi, program director for the world languages department, shared recent highlights of that program, including the introduction of a new course called Exploring the Hispanic World through Films.
She also highlighted that the program has incorporated the use of a new high-tech language classroom at the recently built Waltham High School.
Piantedosi further shared that Waltham placed in the top 37 districts this year for Massachusetts’ Seal of Biliteracy achievement. According to the state’s website, the Seal of Biliteracy is “an award provided by [state-approved] districts that recognizes high school graduates who attain high functional and academic levels of proficiency in English and a world language.”
In 2024 Waltham earned a 16.5% achievement rate for the Seal of Biliteracy, up from 12.9% the previous year. This achievement rate puts Waltham in the top 37 of all 232 participating districts.
Between Kennedy and McDevitt middle schools, there are seven language teachers. Both schools offer French, Italian and Spanish. Waltham High School employs 13 language instructors teaching French, Italian, Spanish and American Sign Language.
In other action, the School Committee
- reviewed and adopted a 2025 school committee policy manual.
- accepted the donation of a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine for Kennedy Middle School.
- approved several amendments to the Waltham High School Program of Studies, action that includes
- adding a nondiscrimination statement.
- updating language around the MCAS test after a November statewide ballot vote eliminated the test as a graduation requirement.
- changing several course lists and individual courses across academic departments.
- postponed discussion of a memorandum of understanding to facilitate a strong relationship of collaboration between Waltham High School and Regis College. The postponement was due to representatives from the college being unable to attend the meeting.
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