Ballyglass N.S. is a mixed Catholic Primary School in the countryside, 4km from Ardrahan village, with 75 pupils on roll. The staff includes three class teachers, a Special Education teacher and a shared Special Education Teacher, a part-time secretary and a part-time caretaker/cleaner. 

Our school is co-educational, under the patronage of the Bishop of Galway. The school has a strong Catholic ethos but welcomes children of all religions and none.

The school has a great sporting tradition, with children of all ages participating in GAA, athletics, dancing, swimming, chess, olympic handball and other sports on a regular basis. Many fine club and county players have started their career here. In May 2022, we received our second Active School Flag in recognition of all the work that is being done to promote active healthy living in the school. We have achieved a National Award for our School Walkway as part of the Active School Initiative.  We were also crown winners of the ‘Battle of the Blues’ initiative in 2018, recognising us as the fittest school in the parish.

Swimming classes are also offered from second class upwards during the school term. Irish Dancing classes are offered by a qualified Irish Dancing teacher for all class groups.

The school participates in a number of quiz competitions throughout the school year. Each Christmas, parents are invited to come and see their children perform in the Christmas concert and our school’s Music and Dance concert. Grandparents are also celebrated on Grandparents Day and have an opportunity to see the children perform a variety of songs, poems, dances and short dramas on the day.

Aistear takes place in the infant classroom on a daily basis. Aistear is the early childhood curriculum framework for all children from birth to six years. Aistear is the key learning and teaching tool used to implement the primary school curriculum in infant classes in Ballyglass National School. The children play for an hour each day, with an emphasis on active learning and oral language development. Each class is supported by one of our SET teachers during this hour. Curriculum subjects covered during Aistear include: S.E.S.E., S.P.H.E., oral language, reading, writing, maths, art, music and drama.

We are also a Green School, and in March 2023, we received our 5th Green School flag in recognition of our work for the theme of Biodiversity. This is a world-wide recognition for schools who practice recycling, healthy living and taking care of the environment. Our Green school Committee and School Council are active in promoting these initiatives.

In 2016 we were accredited with a Digital Schools Flag for our emphasis on technology in the classroom and in 2017 we were accredited with a silver medal award for the 'All Aboard Initiative' which was supported by Digital Schools. We are a Digital School of Distinction.

With almost 30 laptops/ notebooks and 25 iPads available to the children in Ballyglass NS, there is a strong emphasis on digital technology throughout the school. We are currently in the process gaining recognition for our work with integrating technology into the curriculum through the Digital Schools Award programme.

In 2019, we were also accredited with a STEM Plaque of Excellence for our emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics throughout the entire school.

Samantha Geaghan of Ellemenopea Limited is also based in Ballyglass National School, with a Pre-School and Before and After-School service provided between 7.30am and 6.15pm.