Guidance Office

Welcome to the high school guidance office web page. We are here to assist students and parents with the necessary tools to help them plan for the future. Students should make use of the guidance office for scheduling concerns, career planning, researching colleges, testing and the numerous scholarships available.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our guidance counselors, you can do so by visiting the corresponding link below:
Ms. Doland (11th & 12th): https://calendly.com/ldoland
Mrs. Wood (9th & 10th): https://calendly.com/lwood-ballard/20min

To be eligible for consideration to selection into NHS, the student must be a current sophomore or junior, have a 3.3 or high GPA, 20 or more hours of verified service, and at least two leadership positions.

Ballard Community School’s commitment to education spans far beyond the typical classroom setting. Ballard students are given the opportunity to volunteer and provide service, which can reult in a Silver Cord at Graduation after competing 200 hours of approved service.

Service Definition: Work performed by one that serves others outside of one’s family.

“Leadership is not about a box you check, or a single event. It’s an ongoing experience of commitment and service” – unknown

Rules and Expectations (200 hours required)

Students can start earning service hours the summer after their 8th grade year.
9th grade: 50 hours
10th grade: 50 hours
11th grade: 50 hours
12th grade: 50 hours

It is suggested that students complete a minimum of 50 hours of approved service activities per school year to reach 200 total hours of service, however, students may accumulate their 200 hours in varying amounts during their four years of high school.

Service hours must be split between a minimum of four different approved service activities, with a 50-hour maximum for each service activity.
Only 50 recorded service hours can be completed during school hours each school year. (StuCo, Peer Helping, Tutoring etc.)
Service hours must be submitted within 2 months of their completion.
Senior hours must be completed and turned in by May 1st of their graduating year. No hours will be accepted after this date.
Summer hours should be submitted by September 1st of the following school year.
Student manager hours – Complete a season in good standing with Coach’s signature receive:
1. 50 hours maximum.
2. Eligible for manager letter (at coach’s discretion; if applicable)

Examples that count towards Silver Cord hours:

– Activity manager (50 hours max. per year)
– Tutoring during school (50 hours max. per year)
– Club activities (FFA, FCA, etc.)
– Yard work/snow removal for a person in need
– Church activities (teach Sunday School, greeter, etc.)
– Volunteer at fundraisersCity, community, and/or school cleanup
– Blood drive donations
– Nursing home/daycare volunteer
– Volunteer youth coaching

Examples that DON’T count towards Silver Cord hours:

– NO service for family or extended family.
– Anything that is paid (babysitting, yard clean up)
– School activities that are a requirement.
– Any type of school practice (fine arts or sports)
– Fundraising for self/team
– Anything that earns credit toward a class

For more information about becoming a mentor or to volunteer, contact Kellie Boock, Service Coordinator, Ballard Community High School by email or phone, (515) 597-2971 ext. 2190.

Student Service Hours Verification Form

This award recognizes students who demonstrate an advanced level of academic proficiency in two or more languages, one of which is English.

Why is the Seal of Biliteracy important?

A seal of biliteracy is important because knowing and using more than one language is a critical 21st-century skill.

A seal of biliteracy:

Values language as an asset;
Recognizes the value of language diversity and cultural identity;
Prepares students with 21st-century skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society; and
Provides employers, universities, and grant or scholarship providers with a method to recognize applicants for their dedication to attaining biliteracy.

To learn more about the imprtance of the Seal of Biliteracy, watch this brief video from the Iowa Department of Education.

How do students earn the Seal of Biliteracy?

Students will demonstrate English proficiency through any of the following assessments:

A score of 18 or higher on the English portion of the ACT
A score of 470 or higher on the English portion of the SAT
A score of 3 or higher on the AP Language or AP Literature exam
A score of a 4 or 5 in all domains in the ELPA21
A score of Proficient or Advanced on his/her most recent ISASP

Students will demonstrate Spanish proficiency through the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL), which will be administered in early February. The cost to take the AAPPL is $20, and the student is responsible for that cost. The Seal of Biliteracy will be indicated on the student’s transcript, and student will receive a medal of distinction to wear at graduation.

Juniors in Spanish IV are welcome to take the AAPPL, but by law cannot be awarded the Seal of Biliteracy until graduation. Additionally, dual-enrollment students cannot earn the Seal but can complete AAPPL to demonstrate their proficiency in Spanish.

2023 Graduates earning the Seal of Biliteracy:

Reagan Bartlett
Eleah Haan
Mylie Miller
Alex Sanchez
Carter Wolfe

2024 Graduates earning the Seal of Biliteracy:

Hillary Ward
Samuel Ghisays Camero
Alliyah Thompson
Amelia Gogerty
Jackson Fleischmann
Katie Tollefson
Memphis Inglett
Rachel Huisinga

Contact Us

Katie Claeys
Director of Teaching and Learning
515-597-2811 ext. 1011

Jill Sander
6-12 Spanish Teacher and PLC Lead
515-597-2971

For more information on the Seal of Biliteracy, visit the Iowa Department of Education website.