Ballard High School

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!

Great teachers, horrible administration. The administrative personnel are true bureaucrats, education is secondary at best. I have found the principle and vice principal condescending, unresponsive to parent concerns, and completely incompetent in dealing with student issues.

ballard high school is the only school in seattl and king county that offers the martime program which is alot of fun. the teacher are mazing and are alway makingclass fun and easy to learn in.