Student schedules will be released on PlusPortals on Monday August 25th. An email will be sent when these schedules are released, with instructions on how to access them. Our scheduling team does everything possible to put students in their first choice of classes. The email informing students and families about schedules will also include a link to a form and important instructions for students who have an error in their schedule. The form must be completed by Wednesday August 27th. Please refrain from emailing guidance or administration when schedules are published, instead complete and submit the form.
First week of school: All students will start school on Wednesday, September 3, 2024. Students are expected to be in their first period class at 8:00 am. The school is open to students from 7:15 am to sit in the cafeteria and have breakfast. Students can proceed upstairs to their classrooms at 7:35 am. Students may stay after school to use the library until 5:00pm. Students may only be in the building after this time if they are supervised by an adult (e.g. a coach, BASEC, teacher supervised club). The first day of school is always a half day in Belmont, and school finishes for the day at 11:00 am. You can find the schedule for the first day of school HERE - this schedule means that students will go to all of their classes for a shortened lesson. It is a half day because staff will be in training during the afternoon, a longstanding tradition in Belmont. You can find the normal, full-day schedule, which will start on Thursday, September 4 HERE.
Lockers If you would like to request a locker for this year, please complete the locker form here by Friday, August 22nd. Once lockers have been assigned, we will send out an email with instructions on how to access the locker and combination. Please note, you must complete this form even if you had a locker last year.
Chromebooks for rising juniors and seniors- If you require a chromebook this year, please use the link HERE. If you are planning to bring your own device instead, please do not fill out this form.
Orientation- New Student Orientation is scheduled for August 27th from 8:30-1:00. We look forward to welcoming new students to campus that day. More information will be sent out to students who are registered to attend closer to the orientation date. If you have not registered and are a rising 9th grade student, or are new to BHS, please complete this form by Monday, August 22nd.
Picture day: Student picture day will be on Monday, September 8th, 2025. These pictures will be used for your student ID, so it is important that everyone has a picture taken. School IDs are required for entering the school during the school day, and for attending school sporting events.
Back to school night: Parents and guardians, please mark your calendars for Thursday, September 18 for the high school back to school night, from 6:00-8:15pm. This is your opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, and tour the school. I will send out more information closer to the time.
Getting to and from school
Every day, we have about 3000 people entering and leaving the campus at the beginning and end of the school day! With this in mind, please prioritize safety, and be aware of other walkers, bikers, and drivers!
For information on getting to and from school, please see the Safe Routes to Schools document HERE. We highly encourage students to walk and cycle to school where possible. This is both better for the climate, and in many cases much more enjoyable and faster than driving! Where students are walking/cycling, please be aware that there is ongoing construction both at the library and skiing rink this year. We have been assured that the driveways to these sites will not be active before and after school, and there will be a detail officer at each site entrance. That said, everyone should take care and look out for heavy vehicles trying to turn in and out of the sites.
There will be a crossing guard at the intersection of Concord and Underwood this year. This guard will replace the crossing guard previously at Concord and Baker (there is a cross light at this intersection). For students and families new to the high school, please feel free to walk the site before school to identify routes, bike racks etc.
For parents planning to drop off or pick up students at school, we strongly encourage you to use the drop off and pick up points on Concord ave (see safe routes document above). You are allowed to drop off and pick up students in the high school loop. That said, be aware that this loop is a fire lane, and standing/parking is not allowed. With this in mind, do not enter the loop until your student is ready to be picked up. Standing vehicles will be asked to leave, in accordance with instructions from the fire department.
There is no student parking at the high school (or middle school). Students can park in the designated parking areas on Concord Ave. Many of the side streets have parking restrictions for students, so please consult signage before parking, and avoid blocking access to driveways. Illegal parking is handled by Belmont police, and can result in vehicles being ticketed or towed.
Open campus privileges: All students in good standing, grades 9-12, have open campus privileges. This means that students are not required to attend a study hall when they have a free period. Instead, they can access the cafeteria, library, or any of the common spaces around the school. Students using open campus must be respectful of other students, and be mindful of classes that are in session. Students, please keep in mind Open Campus is a privilege and can be lost if not used appropriately.
Junior/Senior off-campus privileges: A reminder that juniors and seniors are the only students allowed off-campus privileges at BHS. Students in good standing are able to leave campus during a free period, with parent permission. It is the students’ responsibility to get back to school on-time for their next class. Parents of juniors and seniors must complete the off-campus application form to approve off-campus privileges for their student (even if you filled it out last year). Please complete and return to Jparas@belmontschools.net.
Senior Off-Campus Application Form: Off Campus Form - Seniors.pdf
Junior Off-Campus Application Form: Off Campus Form - Juniors.pdf
Attendance: Students are expected to be in class, on time, for every class. Where students are absent due to illness or family reasons, parents/guardians must let the school know before the absence occurs. Students who are not in class, and not called in, will have an unexcused absence (cut) recorded. Cuts result in disciplinary and grade consequences. Please see page 31 of the student handbook HERE for the updated attendance policy.
Student absences and dismissals must be reported before the absence occurs. Notes can be sent to the office in advance of a known absence. If a student is sick, please call the absence line before the start of the school day: (617) 993-5999. If a student becomes ill at school, they should be dismissed from the nurse’s office. Questions about attendance can be directed to Joan Paras jparas@belmontschools.net.
9th and 10th grade students - If students have a free first of last period, parents can set up a standing early dismissal or late arrival with the office. Please reach out to Joan Paras (617) 993-5904 jparas@belmontschools.net.
Please keep an eye on student absences during the school year. Two absences a month can add up and result in a student being chronically absent for the school year (18 absences in a year is considered chronic absenteeism). Even where these absences are excused by a parent, the evidence shows that there are both academic and social implications for the student.
Open faculty and staff positions at BHS
We still have a few positions open at the high school. If you are anyone you know are interested, please reach out to me directly at itaylor@belmontschools.net
Updated Anonymous Text Phone Number: 1-508-203-1680
If any students have any concerns or tips they can send a text to this number, it is monitored by BHS personnel. Friendly reminder that this line is anonymous and 100% confidential.
BHS website: You can access most of the information you need for navigation BHS, including my weekly newsletters, on our website HERE which is much more user friendly than our previous site. Use the website to access the school calendar, bell schedule, and contact information. There is also a Belmont Public Schools app that you can download (more information HERE). You can find the app in the App or Play stores by searching Belmont Public Schools, MA. Please contact Eileen Buys in the tech department with any questions: ebuys@belmontschools.net
BASEC @ BHS ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Looking for additional academic support? Or to help your student build a more effective study and homework routine? The Belmont After School Enrichment Collaborative (BASEC) is enrolling now! Their tuition-based executive function coaching and content support program, BASEC @ BHS, specializes in supporting students with workload management, prioritization, implementing organizational habits, and even peer tutoring when needed. They are located in the Mezz C classroom every day after until 6. Flexible schedules are available to fit with extracurriculars and other responsibilities. For more info, please follow this link (https://belmontbasec.org/register/) to register or contact them directly by email or phone. Direct inquiries to Brandon Heisler at basec.bhs@belmontbasec.org or call at 617-894-6717
Athletics update: Belmont High School Fall Athletics is excited to start the Fall 2025 Season. Listed below are some information to help Athletes and Families as they prepare for the fall season.
ATHLETE REGISTRATION:
Physicals
Per State Department of Public Health regulations, Physical Exams are only good for 13 months from the date of the exam (No Exceptions).
Updated physical should be emailed to nurse-bhs@belmontschools.net
Athletic Fee:
Student Athletes are required to pay the athletic fee prior to the start of the season (deadline is extended through August 30th for those trying out for teams).
Reimbursements: If a player does not make a team or does not continue with the team, families must email a request for refund.
HELPFUL LINKS
For questions about athletics, please contact Adam Pritchard (athletic director) or Debbie Patti (administrative assistant for athletics).
BMHS Solar Production!: If you are interested, or looking to use our solar data as part of a school project, you can now track the solar production at BMHS. The solar panels above the High School display their data here, and the solar panels above the Middle School display their data here.
