Ballard HS Information for Students and Families

Dear Ballard High School Families, 

It is with great joy that I welcome you to the 2025-2026 school year. We are excited for our Ballard HS educators to return next week for professional development work prior to the start of school, and then we are eager to welcome back students on September 3. On this first day, LINK Crew will hold a special orientation for 9th grade and new-to-Ballard students. Please see below and online for the exact arrival times for your student(s) as we will have a special bell schedule for our first day on September 3.  

In addition to welcoming students back to the building, I am hopeful that we will see all families at one or both of our upcoming family events. For 9th grade parents and guardians, we will have an evening event on August 28 to welcome you to the Ballard community and ensure you have the information you need to support your student(s)’ experience at Ballard HS. And then for all families, we are excited to see you at our Curriculum Night on Thursday, October 9.      

This communication contains many important dates and information to help inform your planning. I appreciate you taking a moment to review it as you help your student prepare for the start of school. Having two kids of my own—both of whom are students in SPS—I know how helpful it is to have the information and answers to your questions as we get ready for the year. And if you haven’t already signed up to receive the PTSA newsletter, I encourage you to do so (if you are not already receiving the PTSA Newsletter). We are so fortunate at BHS to have such a supportive and involved PTSA! Additionally, I cannot emphasize enough how helpful our website is as a source of information. So please be sure to reference these resources to stay up to date on all things Ballard.  

We are working hard to ensure that our building and programs are all ready for the return of students, families, and staff, and we look forward to seeing you soon! For now, please review the information below, which includes FAQs such as School Picture Days and other beginning of the school year 2025-2026 information.  

As the year begins, you can also expect to receive a weekly communication from me every Friday. In my first few communications, I will be sharing information about our school’s hall pass system and information regarding our cell phone policy.  

I am so grateful that you are a part of the Ballard community, and I hope to see you at one of our school events soon.  

Go Beavers! 
Abby Hunt (she/her) 
Principal Ballard High School 

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BHS Main Office Summer 2025 Hours | Key Dates | Main Office Phone (206) 252-1000 

• Now-Aug 25: Main Office Open: Summer Hours 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Beg. Aug 26: Main Office Open: Regular Hours 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• August 28: 9th Grade Parent/Guardian Orientation at 7 p.m.
• September 1: Labor Day Closed
• September 3: New Student Orientation & First Day of School (See details below)
• September 4-5: School Pictures (See details below)
• October 9: Curriculum Night at 6:30 p.m.
• October 10: Staff Professional Development Day No School for Students
• October Testing: SAT (Grade 12), PSAT (Grade 11) Testing dates TBD

9th Grade Parent/Guardian Night! 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 

Parents/Guardians of incoming 9th graders: Please join us at 7 p.m. for a special Orientation Night just for you! The purpose of the evening is to share tips on how you can help your student make a successful transition from middle school to high school. This event is for Parents/Guardians only. 

Volunteers Needed! First Week of School

Ballard HS adults are needed to help BHS Staff during the first week of school: September 3, 4, and 5. Every volunteer contribution is greatly appreciated and is a valuable support to our school community. If you would like to volunteer, first please complete the SPS district volunteer application (or check that your volunteer registration is current), and then sign up for a First Week of School volunteer slot! Please note that processing time for volunteer clearance can take 2 weeks or more, so please complete that first step as soon as possible! Email Joy Das Gupta volunteer@ballardhighptsa.org with any questions. 

Not Attending Ballard HS in the Fall? 

Complete these steps. Step One: Email registrar Erin Hayes at emhayes@seattleschools.org. Include the parent/guardian’s name, student’s full name and date of birth, your phone number, and the name of the school your student will attend instead of BHS. Step Two: To withdraw your student from the SPS District, please visit Not Attending and complete the online form.  

Planned Absence the First Week of School? 

Planned Absence the First Week of School? Email ballardhs.attendance@seattleschools.org and our registrar Erin Hayes at emhayes@seattleschools.org if your student is not able to attend the first 8 days of school. Students who do not attend on those days and have not informed us of their late arrival will be dropped from Ballard HS as “no shows” which means the student’s courses will be dropped and you will have to re-enroll in Seattle Public Schools online or at the JSCEE district enrollment office.  

Welcome Incoming 9th Grade Families to Ballard HS! PTSA Newsletter

Did you know you need to sign up for the Ballard HS PTSA Newsletter? Learn about upcoming events for new students and families, check due dates for Ballard Athletics paperwork, and find out about our BHS PTSA  and how you can get involved!   Learn more and Sign Up For For the PTSA Newsletter if you are not already receiving it.

Start of School Paperwork Packets

Start of School Required Paperwork: SPS required forms will be available online on the Ballard HS website, with several language options. In addition, paper copies of Start of School forms will be in the Main Office starting the first week of school. Start of School packets also include Naviance High School & Beyond Planning information, BHS Nurse & Teen Health Center details, and informational materials about Schoology and the Source. 

School Picture & Student ID Card Days: Sept. 4 & 5

School Picture Days & Student ID Card: Rowland Studio will be on campus on September 4 and 5 for student school pictures. Photos can be viewed and ordered after picture day – students will receive an info sheet with photo ordering instructions when they get their picture taken. Student ID cards will be distributed at school a few weeks after picture day. If your student is unable to attend picture day on September 4 or 5, a make-up picture date will be announced.  

Class of 2025 Senior Yearbook Photos Due in October

Senior Portraits have typically been due in October. If you do not submit a senior photo to the yearbook staff, they will use your Student ID photo instead. Stay tuned for senior portrait due date and submission information.  

Service-Learning Hours

SPS Required Service Learning Hours For Graduation: Service learning (SL) is giving time without pay. SL allows students to learn academic, social, and personal skills through real hands-on activities. Summer hours that students complete that meet the SL requirements can be counted toward the 60-hour graduation requirement, except for incoming freshmen who can only claim 15 SL hours in the summer. Forms and more information are available on the BHS Website.

Transportation | ORCA Cards

Youth under 19 years of age may ride public transportation for free. Students will need to request an ORCA card if they don’t already have one. You can find instructions for ordering cards on the district Transportation page.

Free & Reduced Meal Program | More Than Breakfast and Lunch

Forms for the Free & Reduced Meal Program are available in the BHS Main Office or online through SPS Culinary Services. If your student qualifies, there may be additional benefits such as discounts for Athletic fees, Activity fee, Pre-college exams (PSAT/SAT), College Application Fees, AP Tests, Field Trips, and Running Start books. Complete the application online or return a hard copy to the Ballard HS lunchroom when the school year starts. 

Student Fall Class Schedules

9th Graders and new to BHS students will be given their class schedule. All students may view their schedules on the Source the day before school starts. 

Bell Schedules

View all Bell Schedules on the BHS Bell Schedule page. Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri the Start Time is 8:50 a.m. and the End Time is 3:40 p.m. Every Wednesday (except Sept. 3) is a 75-minute Early Release with a Start Time at 8:50 a.m. and an End Time at 2:25 p.m.   

First Day of School | Special Bell Schedule | Wed, Sept. 3, 2025

Orientation for 9th graders and new to BHS students starts at 8:50 a.m. in the Main Gym (doors open at 8:30 a.m.). All other students (grades 10-12) will arrive at 12:10 p.m. for lunch, then all students will rotate through all six periods in the afternoon. 9th graders and new to BHS students will receive their schedules during orientation. All other students (all grades) can view their schedules on the Source. Details on the BHS Bell Schedule page.

9th Graders & New Students to BHS 

• 8:30 a.m. – 9th Graders and new to BHS students may arrive and get settled in the Gym 
• 8:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.  
  • Welcome Assembly & Orientation: 9th Graders and new to BHS students 
  • Incoming Students will be partnered with their LINK leaders 
  • 9th Graders and new to BHS students will be given their class schedule and locker combination 

All Students Grades 9 – 12 

• 12:10 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. Lunch for ALL Students 
• 12:45 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. All students in Grades 9 – 12 will rotate through their 1st – 6th period classes 
  • Period 1: 12:45 – 1:10   
  • Period 2: 1:15 – 1:40  
  • Period 3: 1:45 – 2:10  
  • Period 4: 2:15 – 2:40  
  • Period 5: 2:45 – 3:10 
  • Period 6: 3:15 – 3:40  

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Previous Principal News

Email messages are sent via School Messenger from the email address: Abby Hunt BallardHS@seattleschools.org to Ballard HS Families. All Ballard HS families are automatically on the distribution list for School Messenger. If you are not receiving these messages from School Messenger please check your profile in SchoolMessenger as well as your Spam email folder. Call the Main Office at 206-252-1000 if you have any questions at all.

Updated August 22, 2025