In January of 2026, Ball High students returned from their Christmas break as usual, but rather than returning to Ball High School, as they did the past 142 years, students entered the huge foyer of the new Ball High North.
The first day back the APs lined the entrance, and everyone suffered the angst of freshman first day nerves about where to go and how to navigate the ginormous entity that is Ball High North. With huge soaring ceilings, an expansive cafeteria with new lunch stations and the “learning stairs,” where students can sit and socialize, the new school is state of the art. The cafeteria acts as a guided path for the students to weave in and out of, with multiple hallways blending into the room. It’s also the main entrance to the breath-taking courtyard the school wraps around. The fascinating circular library offers interactive and movable chairs and couches, and for easy reference, the AP offices on the second floor sit above the library.
There are more captivating sights at Ball High North, but it seems almost impossible to check every nook and cranny on our own, so The Ball Street Journal took to the hallways for some investigating.
The first person we interviewed (surprise) was Principal Joseph Pillar. Mr. Pillar compared the new school to building a house. “There’s little things that can’t be completed until students and teachers are out of the building, and little mistakes and flaws that need to be corrected such as the doors lining up.”
Overall Mr. Pillar expressed pride with the school. “But when things such as the learning stairs in the cafeteria, or the courtyard were opened to students, discipline dropped because students were allowed to have that brain break and go outside during lunch, almost like kindergarten all over again. You get a break and a little energy out and go back to class. Overall excitement, morale, and even attendance are all up while discipline continues to descend.”
Pillar shows how much passion and effort he’s put into the school, saying, “Just little things- like the seal out front. I did a lot of research on the seals, like how you take care of them what you’re supposed to do, which is why there’s rope around it now, and just learning new things, new traditions we will be starting. Theres nothing in the hallways yet as we’re waiting to see what we’re going to put up, how we’re going to put it up so that the school looks more uniform. There are some things that aren’t finalized, and it can be annoying let me tell you, but it is still all very exciting.”
When we talked to Asst. Principal Stephanie Wilcox, she had a hint of nostalgia in her voice. “I think it’s kind of bittersweet, I miss the old building, but I really do enjoy the new building. I think it gives kids more access to state-of-the-art technology like interactive boards; the classrooms are bigger, cleaner, and more organized. So overall I really like the new facility.
“I think it’s going to take us a little bit more time to navigate and learn our way around the building, so I think as an AP we’re all trying to do that as well, just like students are. I do miss the old building. I felt like the commons was kind of like a central hub, where all the kids would be at in the mornings, and we don’t really have that here, but I will say one of the most pleasant surprises about the new school was the courtyard. I never anticipated how many kids would like going out there and sitting during lunch.”
In the trenches, history teacher Bradley Cox said he thinks the new school appears to have a positive effect on student behavior. “I believe that the kids have gotten better. I think they are behaving to a level equal to the building. They might’ve used to think “Oh it’s a crappy building so I’m going to act crappy.” I think it’s massively better than the old school.”
While the behavior of the students may be debatable, everyone agrees that the new school is a vast improvement, so thank you Galvestonians who put your money on our futures!
