Navigating the Ballard High School Student Portal: A Comprehensive Guide
Ballard High School (BHS) offers a wealth of resources and opportunities for its students. This guide serves as a comprehensive introduction to the BHS student portal, highlighting key information and resources to help students thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Getting Started: Essential Information
School Information and Staff Directory
To learn more about Ballard High School, visit the About page. For a listing of our staff visit our Online Staff Directory. To find out how you can get involved, refer to our Get Involved page.
Student School Assignment and School Choice
Students are assigned to their attendance area school based on where they live. Families may request a different school through School Choice. Refer to the district Student School Assignment for more information.
Registration Information
Registration for new or incoming students begins after school assignments have been released by the district.
Freshman Overview
Information for Incoming Freshman students is also available on the Freshman Overview page. Refer to the BHS Freshman webpage for information and resources for Ballard HS Freshman students and families.
Read also: Comprehensive ETAR Guide
Academics and Curriculum
Course Catalog and Registration Guide
Yes, the Ballard HS Online Course Catalog lists courses and descriptions arranged by department. The district Registration Guide includes Graduation Requirements, Pathways, High School & Beyond Planning and more. The purpose of the Ballard HS Online Course Catalog and the District Course Registration Guide are to familiarize students and parents with information about school procedures, curriculum, graduation requirements, and post-secondary planning. Courses offered at Ballard HS are aimed at challenging students; we encourage all students to pick an area to push themselves by opting into courses that will help prepare them for the rigors of career and college.
Graduation Requirements
The district Registration Guide includes Graduation Requirements, Pathways, High School & Beyond Planning and more.
Student Handbook
Yes! Refer to our Online Student Handbook for more information about Ballard HS that will be posted soon! The handbook is intended to support the success of each student at Ballard High School. The information included in the online handbook is useful over the course of the coming school year. Of most immediate importance will be the information regarding academic expectations for graduation, student behavior at school and the requirements governing attendance.
Course Selection
Students at SPS middle schools will choose courses online via their Source page. Out of district students will complete a Course Selection Form.
Special Education Services
Once students have been assigned to Ballard High School in April, we will reach out to all incoming families.
Read also: Accessing the Cal Poly Portal
Course Placement
Students should consult with their current Grade 8 teachers regarding the appropriate next level in these subjects. Students should meet any course progression recommendations as stated in the Course Catalog, but a placement test or specific letter grade is not required. Students select the courses they think are appropriate for them in consultation with their families. If you have questions regarding course placement, please contact the World Language Dept. World Language is required for admission to most four-year colleges and universities.
Required Courses
- Science: Biology.
- Health is a required, one-semester 9th grade course.
Student Support Services
Counseling Center
Students are assigned to BHS Counselors by the first letter of their last name. Our Counselors work with students to help them develop strategies for success in academics, social skills, and in considering their post-high school plans and career options. Counselors also help students deal with social and emotional issues.
Health Services
In addition, to our BHS School Nurse, Ballard HS has a Teen Health Center currently transitioning to Neighborcare opening in April 2026.
Extracurricular Activities
Why Get Involved?
What makes Ballard High standout above the rest? There are lots of great options for high schools in Seattle Public Schools, but of course we think that Ballard is the best place for your student to flourish. A fundamental component that we emphasize from the first day of school is becoming involved and engaged at Ballard. We know what 1600 students can seem daunting, so we are committed to providing endless opportunities for students to make the big feel small. This can be through joining a Program or Pathway, it can be through Sports, our Performing Arts or one of our more than 75+ student run clubs. The most important thing that your Freshman can do is to find their community through one or more of these options and this will only be more important as we return to in-person instruction. We know that students that are involved at Ballard High School do better at Ballard academically, socially, mentally and physically.
Performing Arts
Yes! The Ballard Performing Arts (BPA) Music and Theatre Department is lauded throughout the Northwest and beyond for its high level of musical and performance excellence and supported by the parent run Booster Club. Ballard HS provides one of the most complete high school music programs in Seattle - offering instruction in voice, wind and string instruments spanning jazz to classical. The Ballard HS Music Program has gained regional and national acclaim for its outstanding ensembles and inspired performances. The Music Program includes over 300 students who participate in three concert bands, three concert orchestras, one concert choir, two treble choirs, percussion ensemble, three jazz bands, one jazz choir, string folk ensemble and multiple chamber ensembles. We also offer piano and guitar classes and AP Music Theory. Performances are held in the Earl Kelly Performing Arts Center. Please refer to our Course Catalog for all of the course offerings in the Music Department. Below are the specific musical groups available to Freshman, including information regarding auditions.
Read also: Accessing the MUSD Student Portal
- Concert Band: Open to all incoming 9th grade band students. Middle school band experience or instructor permission required.
- Symphonic Band: Audition required for incoming 9th graders.
- Wind Ensemble: Audition required for incoming 9th graders.
- Jazz Bands: Audition required for both jazz bands. This is an additional before-school class.
- Percussion: Open to all incoming 9th graders with middle school band percussion experience, or by audition.
- Symphonic Orchestra: Open to all 9th grade string players. Middle school orchestra experience or instructor permission required.
- Chamber Orchestra: Advanced ensemble.
- Symphonic Orchestra: Audition required for incoming 9th graders.
- Concert Orchestra: Open to all 9th grade string players. Middle school orchestra experience or instructor permission required.
- Treble Choir: Open to upper soprano and alto voices all in grades 9-12.
- Concert Choir: Open to lower tenor and bass voices in grades 9-12 (see Ms. Rowley for voice placement).
All Ballard Performing Arts concerts are recorded and posted on the BPA YouTube channel.
Athletics
Ballard HS 3A Metro League: Ballard HS has part of the 3A Metro League. The purpose of the Metro League organization is to maintain and conduct a program of amateur sports competition and to promote and preserve a wholesome atmosphere of good fair play among its participating and member schools. Club Sports: Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee BUF, and also Ballard Unified Basketball (a partnership between Ballard High School and Special Olympics of WA.) are a valuable part of Ballard HS but are not WA Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) sanctioned sports. Team funding comes from players, families, and donors, instead of SPS and WIAA.
ASB Clubs
What ASB Clubs are available? Ballard HS Associated Student Body (ASB) Clubs are a great way to get involved. Ballard HS has over 70 clubs available for students! If you can’t find a Club that fits your interests, start your own! More information is available on our BHS Clubs page.
The DAM
The DAM is a place where we celebrate our identities and support community members. We affirm that everyone belongs. The DAM is consistently excited to make change for the betterment of our school and community.
LINK Leaders
LINK Leaders are reliable representative of Ballard; both in and outside of school.
Important Policies and Procedures
School Access
All doors are LOCKED throughout the school day. There are doorbells at three entrances: by the main office, upstairs next to the library, and at the east Commons doors.
Parking
Students, please remember that students are not allowed to park in the school parking lot or in the Pool parking spots.
Parent Involvement
PTSA
We have a robust Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA). Consider becoming a BHS PTSA member, an advocate, or volunteer. Visit the Volunteer Opportunities to see how you can help out at Ballard HS no matter how big or small. The BHS PTSA is run by volunteers that donate their time to help promote and support the social, emotional, and academic well-being of all students. You can make a difference!
Important Dates and Events
New Student Orientation
New student orientation will occur on the first day of school on first Wed, in Sept. (not an early release). Students should arrive in the Commons to pick up their schedules before joining a welcome assembly and touring their classes with 11th and 12th grade LINK leaders. The first day schedule is available on the Source.
Curriculum Night
Please plan to attend Ballard High School’s Curriculum Night in October.
School Pictures
First week of September during the school day via the students’ classes. An info sheet with picture ordering details will be handed to each student as they have their picture taken.
Financial Information
School Lunch Costs
SPS has launched MySchoolBucks, an online platform that will allow families to pay for school meals. Student Meals can be paid for with a credit card online at MySchoolBucks and requires the Student’s ID number to create an account. The Student ID number can be found on The Source. To avoid a transaction fee families can pay cash or write a check to Culinary Services include your student’s name and ID and give to the Kitchen Manager in the Ballard HS Lunchroom.
Free/Reduced Lunch Program
Paperwork for free/reduced lunch will be included in Start of School forms and is also available in the main office. Please return hard copy applications to the Ballard HS lunchroom. You can also access this application online at SPS Culinary Services. Students who were on free/reduced lunch last year in a Seattle public school must fill out a new form each year, but prior eligibility will be carried over for the first month of school.
Activity Card
Students who wish to participate in a sport or music must buy an Activity Card. Otherwise, paying this fee is not required, but it is encouraged as this allows students to receive some discounts. The Activity Card fee can be paid online via the Source, or in the main office before school, at lunchtime, or after school. Payment of this fee is indicated by a sticker placed on the student’s ID card. Student ID cards will arrive a few weeks after picture day. Until student ID cards arrive, there is a digital record of the Activity Card fee being paid, so your student will not miss out on any discounts in the meantime.
Help with School Fees
Yes, if your student qualifies for free/reduced lunch they can also get help with other school fees.
Preparing for the First Day
What to Bring
On the first day, students should bring several pencils and pens, paper on which they can take notes, and a folder or other notebook with pocket dividers in which to collect class handouts. The student should also bring lunch or money for lunch on the first day. Throughout the day, teachers will instruct students if any materials are required for the class and may have a syllabus. For instance, some teachers may require a Composition Book to tape assignments into. Once your student receives this information from each teacher on the first day, they can gather the school supplies that they need and create an organizational system for homework.
Calculator
All students in Algebra 2, Precalculus, Statistics and higher math must have access to a graphing calculator, specifically the TI-84 or TI-84+. If you plan to purchase one calculator for your high school student, we recommend the purchase of a TI-84. Algebra 1 and Geometry students need at least a scientific calculator; we use the TI-30 in class. If students are unable to purchase a calculator, there will be some available for checkout from their math teacher.
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