Our goal at Ball Junior High School is to provide a rich academic environment that meets the needs of all students. We focus on preparing our students for the challenges of life after high school. This means preparing students to face adversity and equipping them with the skills to adjust to a variety of professors or employers. Our students will gain much from text books, lectures, projects and assignments. However, the educational process includes far more than that; students also gain valuable insight and maturity from interacting with different people and adjusting to a variety of teachers.

Ball students are placed in classes based on student requests, standardized test scores and teacher recommendations. Teachers, students, parents and counselors work together to create a student’s schedule. Schedule changes will only be made for the following reasons: to balance classes so that overcrowding does not occur, to correct any scheduling error, or on rare occasions as a result of a disciplinary situation. All schedule changes will be determined by the counseling staff and/or recommended by the administration.

Schedule changes will NOT be made for the following reasons: 

• Student does not like the teacher 
• Parent does not like the teacher 
• Teacher is "too hard" 
• Teacher gives too much work 
• Student is failing the class 
• Class is perceived by the student to be too difficult 

Personality conflicts will not be justification for changing a class. All conflicts need to be resolved in a mature, professional manner. Students must take the responsibility to meet with the teacher and work through the problem or seek additional help if the nature of the problem is that the teacher is "too hard," "gives too much work," or if the student is in jeopardy of failing.

Since class changes will not be made for the reasons listed above, students, with their parents, should assess their abilities and goals and request courses accordingly. If there is any question about the difficulty level of a particular course, students should consult with teachers, counselors and parents prior to enrolling in the class. All classes, regardless of level, will address the California Content Standards and will provide high academic standards. However, certain classes will have enhanced academic rigor and greater expectations that students must be prepared to face.

Ball Junior High School provides various services for students struggling in particular courses. These services can be accessed through teachers, counselors, and administrators.