National PTA Reflections Program

National PTA's Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boosts student confidence and success in the arts and in life. Open to students in grades Pre-K-12, students create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This year's theme is "I Matter Because..."

Student Council

Balboa's Student Council is a group of volunteer students who are elected by fellow students at Balboa. Student Council members work together with an advisor to plan and implement school activities, promote school spirit, represent their fellow students and serve the school community.

Invention Convention

Each fall, GUSD hosts an Invention Convention open to all GATE-identified fourth- through eighth-grade students. Students are invited to use their problem-solving and creative thinking skills to invent new products. Students display their inventions at the annual Invention Convention. Inventions are judged by a panel of community members, which in the past has included staff from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Awards are given out by grade level.

Students who would like to participate in this event should let the teacher specialist know within the first weeks of school. 

Instrumental Music Program

The GUSD Instrumental Music Program is an optional program available on Wednesdays at Balboa Elementary for students in grades 4-6. The program is led by Mr. Boyadjian, a teacher credentialed in music. The district has a limited number of instruments available to for students to rent. Students may provide their own instrument or rent one from a local music store. Students are expected to practice their instrument every day at home. Students in the program participate in school assemblies in December and May.

Math Field Day

Los Angeles County Office of Education Math Field Day is designed as an enrichment activity to promote mathematical reasoning, teamwork and a balanced mathematics curriculum for all students in upper elementary and middle school.  Participation allows students to demonstrate their math knowledge through competition in the following elements: computational and procedural skill, conceptual understanding and problem-solving. It is open to 4-person teams from schools in Los Angeles County.

Students from across Glendale Unified School District compete at the district level and show their skills in these areas.  The top students are chosen to represent the GUSD at the County Competition. 

Robotics Team

Robotics is an extracurricular program open to a limited number of students in grades 4-5. Students work with a teammate to build and program a Lego Robot to complete various missions. Each pair of students is provided one robot and one laptop to borrow during each session. The goal of the program is to allow students to utilize problem solving and critical thinking to complete as many missions as possible. Students are led by teacher advisors who are meant to facilitate student progress and behavior. The program usually begins in November and concludes at the District tournament in March/April, where our Balboa students will compete against other elementary schools in the district.