Academics
Curriculum/Programs of Study
We believe that every child should be challenged and guided to excel at the highest level. Through Ballard’s diverse curriculum program, all students will have the opportunity for a positive educational experience that is tailored to meet their evolving stages of cognitive development.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Are you ready for a unique learning experience that will help you succeed in college? Through Ballard's Advanced Placement (AP) college-level courses and exams, you can earn college credit, stand out in the admission process, and learn from some of the most skilled, dedicated, and inspiring teachers.
A Different Kind of Class
From the moment you enter a Ballard AP classroom, you'll notice the difference—in the teacher's approach to the subject, in the attitude of your classmates, in the way you start to think. In AP classrooms, the focus is not on memorizing facts and figures. Instead you'll engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively.
Find Your Passion
With 20+ courses at Ballard to choose from, including Math, Science, Social Sciences, English, and the arts, you'll be able to explore your interests and discover new passions. In AP classes, you'll study fascinating topics and ideas that just might become the foundation of your future college major or career.
Prepare to Succeed in College
Ballard AP courses can help you acquire the skills and habits you'll need to be successful in college. You'll improve your writing skills, sharpen your problem-solving abilities, and develop time-management skills, discipline, and study habits.
Earn College Credit and Placement
Most four-year colleges in the United States and colleges in more than 60 other countries give students credit, advanced placement, or both on the basis of AP Exam scores. By entering college with AP credits, you'll have the time to move into upper-level courses, pursue a double major, or study abroad.
AP Courses Benefit Your Transcript
AP courses are graded on a ten-point scale, and grades are weighted to reward students for the college-level work they are doing. AP courses are recognized nationally as being very rigorous and are most attractive to college admissions counselors.
Unweighted Scale
100–93% A 4 Quality Points
92–86% B 3 Quality Points
85–79% C 2 Quality Points
78–70% D 1 Quality Point
69–00% U 0 Quality Points
Weighted Scale (AP Classes)
90–100% A 5.00 Quality Points
80–89% B 3.75 Quality Points
70–79% C 2.50 Quality Points
60–69% D 1.25 Quality Points
59–00% U 0.00 Quality Points
Students who earn a 4.0 or higher are recognized as valedictorian.
For more information, visit http://apcentral.collegeboard.com.
Click here for the AP exam schedule.
College Board AP courses offered at Ballard include the following:
English
English Lang./Composition (grade 11)
English Lit./Composition (grade 12)
Math
Statistics
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
World Language
French Language
Japanese Language
Spanish Language
Science
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Humanities
Art History
Music Theory
Studio—2-D Drawing
Studio—3-D Design
Studio Drawing
Social Studies
Human Geography
World History
U.S. History
European History
Government and Politics: United States
Psychology
Technology
Computer Science Principles
AP Capstone
AP Seminar
Ballard is recognized nationally for achievement in AP.
Ballard High School was the only school in Kentucky selected to receive the 2009 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement. Through a partnership between the Siemens Foundation and the College Board, the award is presented to one high school in each state for leadership in AP participation and performance.
The Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement are awarded to one male and one female in each state each year with the greatest number of scores of 5 on eight AP math and science exams. Ballard is proud to have winner Yihua Li, 2011 Ballard graduate.
Advance Program
The Advance Program is an instructional delivery model to accelerate students who have demonstrated high-level academic potential. Students must be formally identified and admitted into the Advance Program. Identification begins as early as the third grade. To qualify for the Advance Program Seal upon graduation, students must be identified by the ninth grade. To earn the Advance Program seal, students must complete all Kentucky Pre-college Curriculum graduation requirements as outlined in the JCPS High School Student Progression, Promotion, and Grading Handbook plus a minimum of two credits in the same world language. Of the 24 required credits in the pre-college curriculum, students must earn at least 12 credits in Advance Program or equivalent courses.
Note: Students not in the Advance Program may take Advance Program classes with teacher recommendation and available class space.
Honors Program
Ballard offers a challenging, college preparatory Honors Program in which the curriculum is designed for the above average student. All required courses are taken at the Honors level or above. Coursework focuses on extensive reading, writing, and critical-thinking skills. A minimum GPA of 2.5 must be maintained, and at least two credits in the same world language are required to graduate with an Honors Diploma.
Exceptional Child Education Program
Ballard’s Exceptional Child Education (ECE) Program curriculum is designed to accommodate the needs of students who acquire knowledge differently than their peers and to embrace the students’ physical and mental disabilities in order to maximize potential learning.