Skip To Content

    Academics Overview

    Welcome to the Ballard HS Academics Overview Page

    Ballard High School is a proud community of learners that is supported by a passionate group of parents and alumni to provide a rigorous education for all of our students.  We believe strongly that engaging students in school through academies, pathways, performing arts, athletics & activities increases their learning opportunities. Simply stated, students who get involved at Ballard High School, perform better at Ballard High School.

    Additional information is available on the links below:

    The purpose of the Ballard High School Course Catalog is to familiarize students and parents with information about school procedures, curriculum, graduation requirements, and post secondary planning. While this catalog is intended to be definitive, elective courses are offered based on student sign-up and staffing availability. Refer to the Course Catalog for detailed information for each course offered at Ballard.

    Visit the Assessments Overview page for information and updates on the different types of testing that happens for students over the course of their four years at Ballard High School.

    1st Semester Academic Deadlines  |  2nd Semester Academic Deadlinesopens a pdf file  

    Academies and Pathways

    • Academy of Finance
    • Biotechnology Career Academy
    • Digital Filmmaking Pathway
    • Ballard Maritime Academy at BHS
    • Project Lead the Way Pathway

    Departments

    Art Department
    Career & Technical Education (CTE)
    Business/Marketing/Computer
    English Language Arts Department
    English Language Department (ELL)
    Family and Consumer Sciences
    Health, Fitness & Physical Development
    Mathematics Department

    Career & Technical Education

    Seattle Public Schools offers a wide range of programs that provide students with a head start on college and careers in high-skill, high-wage and high-demand occupations. These fall under the Career & Technical Education (CTE) Department. Visit the SPS CTE webpage for more information.

    Performing Arts Department: Band, Choir, Orchestra & Theatre

    Visit the Performing Arts Website for additional information on each department.

    Academies and Pathways

    A unique feature of Ballard High School is that we offer several Academies and Pathways while simultaneously respecting students’ individual choices. Academies and Pathways are arranged around a theme or subject. Students do not have to select an Academy or Pathway. Approximately one third of our students choose to do so; all other students choose a wide range of required and elective courses. Refer to pages 7-15 in the Course Catalog and links below for more detailed information on each Academy, Program or Pathway.

    Academy of Finance - Students apply in 9th & 10th grade.  Applications are due 2/28/19.
    Visit the Academy of Finance webpage for more details.
    Contact: Eric Blazevic at edblazevic@seattleschools.org .  Website: naf.org

    Ballard Maritime Program is an interdisciplinary academic program at Ballard HS which combines maritime skills, maritime history, marine science and research. Every class in the program is a Career and Technical Education course, and the Ocean course is a lab science course.  Website: Ballard Maritime Academy
    Visit the Ballard Maritime Program webpage for more details and to download an application.
    Contacts: John Foster at jffoster@seattleschools.org or Noam Gundle at njgundle@seattleschools.org
    Biotech Academy - The 9th grade Biotechnology Academy Cohort Application pdf icon is now available to download and is due on April 26, 2019. Please refer to the Biotech Academy page for more information.
    Contact: Penny Pagels at pepagels@seattleschools.org . Biotech Blog: ballardbiotech.blogspot.com

    Digital Filmmaking Pathway - 8th Graders applications are due on 4/26/19 to enter in 9th grade. 
    Refer to the Digital Filmmaking Program page for more info and to download applications.
    Contact:     Matt Lawrence at mplawrence@seattleschools.org . 
    BHS Digital Filmmaking Blog: bhsvideo.blogspot.com
    DFP Films: vimeo.com/bhsfilmprogram

    Project Lead the Way / Pre-Engineering Pathway - No application is required for this pathway. Students may choose Intro to Engineering Design, the first course in the pathway.
    Contact: Brian Connolly at baconnolly@seattleschools.org . Website: pltw.org

    Running Start

    Running Start is a program for High School Juniors and Seniors to take college classes at Washington two year colleges and earn high school and college credit at the same time. Tuition is free for a maximum of 15 credits per quarter in college-level courses numbered 100 or higher. However, the number of college credits each student may take free of tuition costs depends on how many classes the student is concurrently taking at the high school. Students are responsible for tuition for pre-college courses (numbering below 100) and any credits that exceed their allowable limit. Students are responsible for the cost of books and transportation; however, fee waivers for these expenses (not including transportation) are available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.  Visit the Running Start page for more information on eligibility and steps to get started. 

    PDF ADA Accessibility on all District & School Websites | Seattle Public Schools is committed to making all content located on District sponsored websites accessible for persons with disabilities.  Contact the Main Office at 206-252-1000 or email BHS Web Editor  if you need help with accessing a PDF. 
    close carousel