Need info about Waggener and Ballard High Schools

My daughter is in the 9th grade. We are considering transferring her to a different school next year. Our "resides" school is Waggener. I know their CATS scores are really bad, but I would like to get a more thorough picture of the school than test scores. Her other choice would be Ballard.
Does anyone have students at either school? I would love to have some comments from parents or students about how they feel about the schools.

My daughter also attends Waggener as a result of it being our "resides" school. She's done very well there and has made many friends. I know their scores on the state tests aren't the best, but so far we've been happy with her progress. She'd love to go to Eastern because that's where her best friend goes, but transferring is not an option because getting her there would pose a problem. From the way I understand the system, you don't get bus transportation to any school but the resides or a magnet program to which you have been accepted so that would mean we would have to drive from Clifton to Eastern then back downtown to work.

Good Luck in the quest for a high school that will work for your daughter. Friend's kids that went to Waggener lately did not think that it was as "rough" as they thought it would be-- and it isn't as large as Ballard. My son graduated from Eastern in 2004, and I have learned to spend as much time as you can at the schools you are looking at, especially when classes are changing. You get a great feel for how the kids act (at least I did), and you can see if you feel like your child would "fit in".

Waggener has a couple of magnet programs-- JCPS website , and Kentuckianamoms, have some more info and blogs about the schools. Hope you find a good fit somewhere.

Hi Ellen,
Our youngest is presently a sophomore at Ballard, and our oldest graduated last year.

Ballard is a good school, not perfect but better than most.

Here is a link to their "School report card" I will let the numbers speak for itself.

Good luck!

http://www.kde.state.ky.us/oaa/implemen ... School.PDF

I also have a daughter in 9th grade. Ballard is our resides school and we considered it seriously. I friend of mine had both daughters attend Ballard and really liked it; they live in Middletown. From what I've been told, Ballard's a big school and you need to be in a group or program - advanced program, field hockey, soccer, chorus - to really get the best experience. This is second-hand, but maybe will help a bit. Good luck with the decision. If you could, I know lots of us parents would like to hear how this turns out for you and your daughter.