Ballenas vrs Kwalicum Secondary School

[Islander]

Hi- we are moving to Parksville and would like further info on the schools. Is Ballenas or Kwalicum better in certain subjects? bullying?
anything we should know. Also if you have info on the Elementry and middle schools-we have kids at all levels.
Thank you!

[New Local]

Hi There,
I came across your post today. We moved to Parksville last summer and had to make the same decision for our son entering Gr. 9 so I'll be frank as it would have been helpful for me to hear this last year.

We chose Ballenas but it was the wrong choice for us. Our son has not been happy, has had problems with bullying at BS, has struggled to find friends who's soul focus is not drinking or recreational drugs. Many teachers at BS seem apatheic at best, and many are very tightly wound. There was a lot of staff turnover at the end of last year and I think it has affected the school.

There are problems and benefits to both schools, but after one year, our son has asked to move to KSS, as he would prefer to be there. He finds KSS students to be friendlier, happier and more welcoming.

KSS is more eager to welcome new students as they need the numbers while Ballenas is pretty much full. We just bought a house right between the two districts and are hoping to have a smooth transition to KSS in the fall.

Hope that's helpful!

[Unknown]

I would deffinatly choose to send your children to Kwalikum Secondary, its a much new school, more enthusiastic staff, and no drug or bullying problems such a BSS.

[unknown]

Islander wrote:

Hi- we are moving to Parksville and would like further info on the schools. Is Ballenas or Kwalicum better in certain subjects? bullying?
anything we should know. Also if you have info on the Elementry and middle schools-we have kids at all levels.
Thank you!

Hi there, I have lived in Parksville going on 4 years now and both my children have had an amazing experience in schools. My daughter has just graduated from Oceanside Middle and we 100% recommend this middle school over Springwood middle. The teachers,staff and students were unbelieveable and it's been a great experience and introduction to high school. My daughter will now continue on to Belenus which appears to be in favor for any Parksville residents. Like anything it's not the school that should be on judgement but the peers your child chooses to hang out with. We all know that every school will have there so called Bully's and rebels it's all about life choices and which direction your child chooses to go. Fortuntately my daughter is an athlete and Belenus has the superior sports program over KSS. My son is now attending Winchelsey elementary and wouldn't go anywhere else!

I hope this helps.

[newcomer]

Hello. I was reading the posts above regarding high schools. We are moving to Parksville at the end of October and are also trying to decide which school would be best to send our daughters, one of who is in grade 9 and the other in grade 11. They are very athletic and interested in the sports teams at Ballenas, but I am worried about sending them there if there are a lot of drug and alcohol problems. Does anyone else have adivce or experiences they would like to share?
Thanks for your help.

[Newbie too]

We moved to the area this summer and our children are going to Arrowview Elm.(GREAT PLACE!) and Oceanside...(still not sure about this place)
The teacher my child has at Oceanside has not been welcoming AT ALL and after the first few days of school were told the teacher doesn't seem to be there for the kids but for the paycheck.(not that THAT should be any great amount for what teachers put up with these days!)
Each school is different for sure and the kids from each year can make or break it for others...good luck...I am sure your kids have already started so hope you are happy with how things are going! For us, I am keeping a VERY close eye on things and open conversation with my child for any issues that may come up.

[BSSer]

I go to Ballenas Secondary School and in Grade 12, there is not more of a drug problem here then there is at KSS. They are just more forward with the drug use ( not hiding it like KSS) And as for bullying it is the same everywhere. I have been bullied on many occaisons and it would not make a difference if i went to KSS. The teachers are amazing they will do anything to help you out when you are stuck in a rut. I belong to several sports teams and the band and choir, i am so glad that i go to BSS opposed to KSS. Ballenas is amazing. it is just a little crowded!!

[it depends on your kid]

people are obviously going to say that the school their kids or themselves go to is better. i think that it depends solely on your child. if your child is into sports and wants to be part of a strong athletic program send them to BSS. the coaches are dedicated, supprotive and well emersed in the sport. the coachs are also very strict about school grades and playing on school teams, if you arent keeping up a certain level in academics you will not play until your grades are up to par. the administartion at Ballenas is spectacular they genuinly care about the students...yah some of the teachers are old and should be retired, but there are only a few and the other amazing teachers definately make up for their lacking effort. unfortunately you will find that problem at every school. KSS has a stronger art program than Ballenas, and may be a newer school, but Ballenas has better funding simply because of population. KSS and BSS are the same in the Band department as well as thier mechanics and woodworking. i think if you're choosing between the two schools go to each of them and talk to the staff and see how each school runs. i personally prefer BSS because i am into almost all of the sports offered in high school and so far my high school experience has been AMAZING!!!!....to reassure your feelings just check out how many PROVINCIAL CHAMPION banners each school has/ i believe the score is Ballenas:6(4 in Volleyball and 2 for Football)/Kwalicum:1 (and might i add its for GOLF!! ahhahahh)
PICK BALLENAS!!! WE OWN!!!

[French Creek Resident]

You have to wonder if you have been here at least a year and can not even spell Ballenas correct? How much do you know about the school? Not too much! Springwood and Ballenas has french immersion programs.(if anyone is interested. Kwalicum Secondary is the superior school if you are looking for friendlier kids, less bullying. Parksville has a better sports program Kwalicum a better music and arts program.

unknown wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi there, I have lived in Parksville going on 4 years now and both my children have had an amazing experience in schools. My daughter has just graduated from Oceanside Middle and we 100% recommend this middle school over Springwood middle. The teachers,staff and students were unbelieveable and it's been a great experience and introduction to high school. My daughter will now continue on to Belenus which appears to be in favor for any Parksville residents. Like anything it's not the school that should be on judgement but the peers your child chooses to hang out with. We all know that every school will have there so called Bully's and rebels it's all about life choices and which direction your child chooses to go. Fortuntately my daughter is an athlete and Belenus has the superior sports program over KSS. My son is now attending Winchelsey elementary and wouldn't go anywhere else!
I hope this helps.

[Observant]

While Ballenas is superior in terms of field sports, KSS has options such as a curling team (being about a minute away by foot from the Qualicum Curling Club), a drag racing team (the car is kept running by the automotive class), and a swim team.

Both schools have amazing teachers. Ballenas boasts a science teacher who has written at least one textbook, though KSS's physics/info tech instructor has in the past worked for CISCO systems (one of the worlds leading internet pioneering companies). From my understanding, both schools' math teachers are exceptional.
I don't know much about the English program at Ballenas, but the KSS program is top-notch.

Both schools are very similar in education (placing within 30 schools of each other on a rank board comprising of every secondary school in BC), so the biggest concern to me would be the drug issue.

One comment above claimed that Ballenas was "more forward" with their drug problem, while KSS covers theirs up. I would substitute the words "more forward" with "tolerating"; Ballenas doesn't do a whole lot to fix any drug problem that they may have, going so far as to create a "burner's field" for those that feel the need to dope/crack/(insert drug of choice) up. KSS, as with all high schools, has a certain level of drug use (and in the last 3-5 years, even a meth head). The phrase I would substitute for "KSS covers up their drug use" is "KSS expells their drug users": come to class baked and you'll be sent home. Drugs on your person? Mandatory expulsion as well as police involvement. The meth head that I mentioned? Gone within 2 months of using. Drugs are around, but there are less of them and their is a zero tolerance level.

All of this information can be gathered simply by probing both schools and asking around, which I would encourage you to do. If drugs are a huge issue, go to the police station and ask them for information. They're they one's dealing with the drug issue directly, after all.

[J Wright]

Has anyone attended the golf academy (B. Morrison at Pheasants Glen?

[Franklin Bugsby]

I just read your post and i would lke to say, as having gone to both schools in the past that Kwalicum is the obviouse choice. I think that bss is a great school if your child is the popular cheerleader or quarterback type. As the main focus at that schools is cheerleading and football. Kwlalicum students i found are much more laid back and focus more on art than sports. i much enjoyed kwalicum secondary while bss gave me some trouble. Thei teachers, i found are much more dedicated to ther studants at kwalicum than those at bss.

hope that helps you.

[local]

KSS is such a good school and generations of my family including me have went there... and even one of my cousin works there. there has always kind of been a rival between KSS and BSS and i dont think that its a bad thing as long as no one is getting hurt over it! lol! as people are saying KSS has an exceptional arts program! and BSS has a great sport program! but i did find that BSS was much more strong and open aboout there "Drug" thing and i dont think it should be as tolerated as he way it is!!! but thats just what they chose to do so i cant complain really! so really KSS does have a better safty factor at that particular school! its all up to the fact of Sports or Arts...your choice really just thats all the advice i can give you! good luck on your choice!!!

[CHRISTMAS holiday]

ballenas students are undisciplined scum....they need a dose of the boot.
littering everywhere like skid row bums...they leave a trail of litter wherever they walk.
drug addicted lowlife losers.
future inmates.

give yourself a break and go to kwalicum.