Wicked Local
As Watertown Public Schools take part in a new statewide COVID-19 pool testing program, frustrated parents are focused on the education their children are receiving. Data shows that many of these families are turning to private or homeschooling options versus staying in the public school system.
In its most recent data, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reported that enrollment in public schools across the state is down. Data announced by DESE this past fall showed a decrease of 3.9% in student enrollment from the previous year across all 400 public school districts in the state. This compares to decreases of just .29% and .25% reported in the two years prior. Enrollment numbers are released annually based on October 1 data from individual districts. Watertown public schools represent 2,663 students.