Ballou High School serves 880 students in grades 9-12.

Ballou High School placed in the bottom 50% of all schools in District Of Columbia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%) for the 2020-21 school year.

The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤1% (which is lower than the District Of Columbia state average of 32%) for the 2020-21 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤5% (which is lower than the District Of Columbia state average of 34%) for the 2020-21 school year.

The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is equal to the District Of Columbia state level of 13:1.

School Overview: Ballou High School’s student population of 880 students has declined by 5% over five school years.

The teacher population of 70 teachers has declined by 5% over five school years.

School Comparison: Ballou High School is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 208 schools in District Of Columbia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-21 school year.

The equity score of Ballou High School is 0.04, which is less than the equity score at state average of 0.50. The school’s equity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

School Notes: Ballou Senior High School is located in Washington, DC, United States. Ballou is a part of the District of Columbia Public Schools.

History: In 2003 a major instance of mercury being spread throughout the school caused for its closure for several weeks and the redirection of students and staff to near by educational facilities. Another incident caused the death of one student and wounding of another student with a gun.

Ballou SHS also has one of the best choirs and also one of the best bands in the District. The Ballou choir directed by Gary Stanley has been one of the more positive aspects of the school. They have traveled and perfomed in various states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida just to name a few. The choir has also had an impact on the type of media the school has gotten in the last couple of years. They have brought a more positive outlook on the school and the students who attend.

Ron Suskind wrote a 1998 biography that featured the journey of a Cedric Jennings and his high level of achevement in this school.

Naming: The school has been named to commemorate former Superintendent of the District of Columbia School System, Frank W. Ballou around 1960. Nearby Public Schools: The nearest high school to Ballou High School is Ballou Stay High School (0.0 miles away)

The nearest middle school and elementary school is Center City Pcs Congress Heights (0.2 miles away)