Ballou Junior High Addition

Opened Fall 2021

Financed by 2015 State Match Funds
Architect: Mahlum Architects
General Contractor: Garco Construction
Project Manager: Les Gerstmann

Thank you, voters. Because of your support, PSD completed a 200-student addition south of the existing facility to achieve a 1000-student capacity at Ballou Junior High. The work included the construction of a building of approximately 17,000 square feet and the relocation of portables. To better serve students, modifications included:

• seven classrooms
• two science rooms
• a new library
• an auxiliary gym
• removal of portables

We made some operation updates as well, including:

• boiler replacement
• cooling tower and valve replacement

Building History

The school was originally built in 1970 and named in honor of Mr. Frank H. Ballou. The school is located on South Hill, west of Meridian Street South and just south of 136th Street East, next to Firgrove Elementary.

Mr. Ballou was born in Sanborn, Iowa, and moved to the Firgrove Community in 1943. Frank was very interested in youth and the activities of youth. To provide better education for Firgrove children, he spearheaded the consolidation of the Firgrove Elementary School District with the Puyallup School District in 1950.

A remodel and addition project at Ballou Junior High School was completed in 2001 as part of the 1997 Bond Program. The project architect was Burr Lawrence Rising + Bates of Tacoma. Ballou Junior High was a state matched project with the local funds coming from the 1997 Bond Issue.

In September 2021, a building addition project was completed and open to staff and students. The project was funded with state match funds generated from the 2015 Bond. Modifications included seven (7) additional classrooms, two (2) science rooms, a new library, an auxiliary gym, and removal of portables.