Ballard High School

I had a pretty good experience here after transferring from another school. The building itself could really use an extra wing, though. Most of the hallways and staircases are so narrow and they get extremely packed when kids get out of class, to the point that I genuinely believe there would be causalities in the event of a fire, for example. The only open spaces where you can stop getting pushed around is 2 of the entrances and a cafeteria. Seriously, as schools get more populated, this place would give me claustrophobia if they tried to accommodate more kids. Also a LOT of the students tried to peer pressure me into buying coke lmao, what a waste of money. Mostly good teachers though.

This school is one of the strongest in the district and state academically with many AP courses, clubs such as robotics and programs such as biotech, digital film etc recognized nationally. The Jazz band was chosen this year, along with Roosevelt High from Seattle and only one additional high school in WA state, to attend the most competitive Jazz competition in the country 2018 Essentially Ellington competition & fesitval in NY. Only 13 bands are chosen nationwide. The robotics team won the world championship last year out of 25 countries, including groups from China, Canada, Turkey, Israel etc and over 400 teams. Something no NW team has ever done. We have found many excellent teachers, including computer science, math, science & LA teachers, and the counselors are great considering the school is highly over-enrolled until the new school opens. The principal is perhaps the strongest and most effective in the district. He is focused on serving and challenging all the students in the community at the school, including students who are highly capable who could have gone elsewhere. In recent years many highly capable students have chosen Ballard their neighborhood school over Garfield and are happy and doing well.

My son is a sophomore this year and he's had a great experience at Ballard in 9th and 10th grade. He has enjoyed almost all of his subjects and I have found his teachers to be very responsive to questions. The Maritime program and Mr. Foster are exceptional. The one time I had a question for his school counselor, she was great, too. I have seen no evidence of bullying and lots of school spirit!