Contact:
Ballard High School
1418 NW 65th Street
Seattle, WA 98117
206.252.1000
www.ballardhs.seattleschools.org/
academics/maritime-academy
John Foster
BMA Lead Instructor
Maritime Survey and Maritime Skills
(206) 252-1137
(206) 355-0161 cell
[email protected]
Norm Gundle
[email protected]
Overview of services: The Ballard Maritime Academy (BMA), was established in 1999. The Academy is supported by the Youth Maritime Training Association (YMTA), Alliance for Education, Ballard High School Foundation, local maritime industries, marine-related educational institutions, and the Seattle Public Schools Career and Technical Education Department.
The BMA is a small learning community within Ballard High School where students focus on a maritime career theme within the context of their overall education. Students are introduced to the career opportunities in maritime-related endeavors, including oceanography, recreational boating, commercial fishing, shipyards & vessel construction, boat design, maritime law, cruise ships, and the merchant marine or service academies.
The Ballard Maritime Academy provides a real-world relevance to education, meeting the Washington State and Seattle Public Schools academic standards while preparing our students for college and careers.
Credential: NO
In Ballard HS, Maritime program is an elective process. It is more exploratory but does expose kids to the next steps on a career pathway. If you are serious, need to go to a 4-year maritime academy or Seattle Maritime Academy at Seattle Central Community College.
For those who want to stay local go to Ballard Maritime Academy.
If you need to get industry certification, go to the Coast Guard.
Equity Lens: Inclusivity is improving. They tend to get more class diversity because it is an elective. Many want to take a class to feel it out. Get kids who don’t see themselves going to college but looking for a trade. Kids from wealthier backgrounds think salary is too low. For others, Maritime is easy to access and can be lucrative depending on the avenue pursued.
