Ballard High School

They have some specialized academic programs that are great. Regular program not so good. High quality drama and music programs. Sports....just plain bad. Parents are involved and supportive.

This is a very large public school with a good selection of advanced and AP classes. They have a number of very strong academies (i. e. bio tech, maritime study)of study within the school, as well as academic pathways (i.e. engineering, film) that have fewer requirements then the academies. A student can create a very academically rigorous schedule and not pursue either of those paths. In general, the teachers are quite strong and engaged with the students. The music and film programs are excellent. The lacrosse program is strong, but it's not yet recognized as a varsity sport in WA state. There are tons of clubs and groups to join at this school and the student body is really engaged. Good parental involvement.

Very unsafe place to be in for kids and employees. Hostile working and learning environment with unprofessional teachers and poor administrators. BH has two severe criminal cases in 2018. We will stay away from this bad place. There are many other school districts we would recommend anyone to enroll their kids rather than dealing with Seattle Public Schools.

Ballard High school has some strong programs, but their sports are really bad, which leads to low self esteem for the kids around town / state about their school. The staff is overwhelmed, the counselor told me point blank She has more kids with issues than She can address. She points blank said unless it's a life or death crises that day she won't even try to pretend she can help, don't even pretend there is a follow up she is so overwhelmed every day. She literally said that. Kids can easily skip school without teacher involvement or even noticing. Pot and alcohol are pervasive. The kids say the school is so crowded in between classes is everyone smashed against one another in the halls. The school is way over capacity and no plans or room to add teachers. The good news is this school has a few decent programs but are always in high demand unfortunately so your child will not be getting into them unless you know how to bribe someone's favor that decides the kids outcome of the schedule they request. I would not recommend schooling your kids in Seattle is kind a Removed show honestly regret not moving. The principal tries and cares but is not able to change the school systems faults. Public schools here had to actually suit the state to try to get them to fund Seattle schools. That's what the washington state thinks about Seattle kids and parents.

Wow! Shocked by the low scores given. My child is in his senior year and his overall experience has been great. He did XC and Track - the team while not the best in the district does quite well, sending some set of students to the state each year. And, team members are so supportive of each other. The performing arts program is great, and he has plenty of AP classes to choose from. When he had questions for the counselor, he never had an issue getting her time and the answers he was looking for. the only reason I gave four and not five stars are there are some issues with drugs and sexual assault, but I have no way to measure whether this is different from other HS or is the unfortunate norm of the day.