Ballard High School

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SPS Support for Families in Need

SPS remains committed to supporting students and families in every season, especially during times of crisis. Learn more on the district website.


Cancer Pathways 2026 Teen Writing Contest

This national contest encourages teens in grades 9-12 to write about their experience with cancer, either their own or of a loved one, for the opportunity to win one of several $1,000 prizes. The deadline for entries is February 27, 2026. Entries must be submitted in essay format and not exceed 1,500 words. Contest Closes: February 28, 2026 with Winners Announced: Early May 2026.


Weekend Food for Kids

Bread, OJ in basket

BHS Students! Did You Know? Ballard Food Bank provides free weekend food bags for Ballard High School students. There are no eligibility requirements, and most dietary needs and allergies can be accommodated. Forms with information about the program are in the counseling office – to sign up contact Jake Wishart, your counselor, or Ballard’s school social worker Elly Sprinkle at elsprinkle@seattleschools.org.


SPS and PEPS Parent Workshop Series

PEPS (a local non-profit) is partnering with Seattle Public Schools to offer a four-part parent workshop series. This first workshop will help you better understand your teen’s choices, especially risky or impulsive ones, and provide you with practical tools to strengthen your connection with them, as the relationship you nurture with your child is a key source of their resilience and growth. You will gain insight into the science of adolescent brain development and learn how it impacts their decision-making.

There are 4 workshops for parents/caregivers and they can attend one or all sessions as they are all virtual meetings.  Please note registration is needed to obtain the zoom link.  Questions, please reach out to programs@peps.org.


Gear Up Washington State News College Visits

College Campus landscape view.
Gear Up Washington Sate with up arrow logo

Why Visit Colleges: Get a firsthand view, Get answers to your questions, Get valuable information, and Get ready to decide. Research shows that students who attend at least I college visit are 1½ times more likely to enroll in college after high school graduation, & even 3 times more likely if a parent attends the college visit with the student. Visiting a campus can help you get a first-hand look at a school or program to see if it is a good fit. You can see what the atmosphere is like. Find out what support programs are offered and talk to faculty, financial aid and admissions office, and other students.


Jobs, Internship Opportunities

Jobs with magnifying glass

Teens in Public Service (TIPS)

Are you a high school student passionate about service and interested in a paid summer internship at a nonprofit organization? Teens in Public Service (TIPS) places high school interns at a variety of nonprofits – museums, food banks, nature preserves, and more. As a reminder, TIPS interns gain…A summer’s worth of impactful work experience, exposure to the “behind the scenes” of nonprofit orgs carrying out community-centered work, mentorship, networking opportunity, and support from TIPS and their nonprofit supervisors / coworkers and a paycheck – interns will be paid Seattle minimum wage. You can read our 2024 interns’ summer reflections on our website. Apply today for the TIPS Summer 2026 programThe application is due March 3, 2026.


Burke-ology Winter 2026 Session | Ichthyology

Applications open now for our Winter 2026 High School Voices in Science Burke-ology | Ichthyology. Ichthyology is the study of fish, so it’s very focused on the world of fish and all their cool adaptations. This program is open to all students, it is free, and we welcome any/all youth to apply who would be interested. Learn more and apply today! Space in this program is limited.

Light bulb, ruler. Text: Voices in Science Burke Museum

Participants will investigate the Burke’s vast ichthyology collection to see if they can discover a “new” species of fish! Under the guidance of Burke Ichthyology Collections Manager Katherine Maslenikov, participants will learn about fish morphology and traits important for fish identification. They will work in small groups to measure and count key anatomical features, create scientific illustrations of specimens, and share their findings with family, friends, and the public at a STEAM Spotlight Symposium at the Burke Museum. 


YOU make the call…Umpires & Referees Needed

Umpires Northwest LLC and Sports Officials Northwest LLC are looking for new and/or experienced umpires and referees to become part of our continued success in WA. The season is here, come play ball with us! Great pay and flexible schedules, weekday, and weekend schedules available. Extensive training provided (general rules clinic and on field mechanics). We currently service: Adult and Youth Leagues and Tournaments. If interested or would like more information visit the Umpires Northwest website or, reach out to a contact: Pablo de Leon 206-271-3722 Pablo@umpiresnw.com or Lenny Akins 253.266.9970 havochoops22@gmail.com or OJ Simpson 360.509.3232 ojsjc32@gmail.com or Steve Reed 206-962-9113 steve@umpiresnw.com or stevenreed@sportsofficialsnw.com


You Grow Girl Internship

4girls outside. Text: You Grow Girl! Inspiring her pathway to sustainable success Logo

Paid Internship opportunity for female-identifying youth, 17 years old and older. You Grow Girl! is accepting applications for their upcoming cohort for their Peer Support Vocational Training Program. Youth with lived experiences participating in mental health and other service systems who are interested in supporting systems-involved middle-school aged youth through peer mentorship are encouraged to apply. Completion of this program includes a stipend of $1,000 and attainment of industry recognized professional credentials and employment opportunities. Call or text You Grow Girl! at (206) 417-9904 for more information.


SPS Internship Directory

Collage Banner Teacher at Board, Fire Fighters, Students at Computers Vessel

Live list of available internships open to Seattle Public Schools students (ages and requirements vary). Review the available internships and learning opportunities.


Reminders

Students should only participate in an opportunity they feel is safe to them. BHS only shares these postings and does not endorse any of these businesses.


Can’t Find What You Are Looking For?

Email me with tips on information you would like located here or better ways to support your searches on the Ballard HS website. Diane Taylor, BHS Website Editor at dmtaylor@seattleschools.org  Thank you!

As of December 17, 2025