Awards & Honor Societies

The National Beta Club recognizes high academic achievement, promotes character and social responsibility, encourages service involvement to school and community, fosters leadership skills and provides setting for students to develop interpersonal relationship skills. 

At Saint Joseph's, membership in the Junior Beta Club is open to 7th graders who are in the top third of their class at the end of the third quarter of their 7th grade year and who have demonstrated a desire to serve others. Membership continues through 8th grade. Meeting times will be communicated through email.

The Saint Joseph's Catholic School Chapter #6388 of the International Thespian Society, which is the world's largest honor society for theatre arts students, was founded in September 2001. 

Induction Eligibility

In order to gain qualification for membership into the International Thespian Society, a student must:

• Have participated in at least two St. Joseph's mainstage productions (fall play or spring musical) through involvement in at least two of the following production areas:
  • Performance
  • Stage Crew
  • Tech or Backstage Crew
  • Front of House
• Earned at least 10 points through involvement in any St. Joseph's Theatre events, including mainstage productions, assisting with MS performances, involvement in student-directed one act plays, Theatre festivals, or Improv Knight
• Must have taken at least one semester of a High School Theatre class or demonstrated active participation through at least two other Theatre-related events (one act play or Improv Knight)
• Must have maintained at least an 85 in any completed Theatre class and at least a 77 in other academic subjects during the last semester. 
• Demonstrate excellent character, positive attitude, collaboration and support of the St. Joseph's Arts, along with fulfilling the motto of ITS: Act well your part; there all the honor lies.

Active Membership 

To maintain membership in subsequent years, a student must:

• Be actively involved in supporting the two mainstage Theatre productions - fall play and spring musical - in one of the following ways:
  • Performance
  • Production Design Leader (enrolled in the class)
  • Contribute 15 hours of crew time
  • Tech or Backstage Crew or Front of House (for all performances)
• Assist with the MS musical in one of the following ways:
  • Production Design Leader (enrolled in the class)
  • Tech or Backstage Crew 
  • 5 hours of crew time and work Front of House
• Be involved in some way with one “secondary” Theatre event each year: student-directed one act play, Improvisation Knight, etc. 
• Volunteer to help with St. Joseph's Arts Fundraising events (MS Walkathon, etc.)
• Regular attendance of meetings and payment of annual dues ($10)
• Must maintain at least an 85 in any Theatre class and at least a 77 in other academic subjects.
• Represent the society positively in the school and community while displaying a cooperative and collaborative spirit. Actively represent the motto of ITS: Act well your part; there all the honor lies.

To earn the blue and gold cord to be worn at graduation, a member must be an inducted and active member of the society.

High school students are invited to join the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) based upon their artistic abilities and involvement in the Saint Joseph's art program. 
Must meet the following criteria:

• Only rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors may be considered for membership
• Students must be enrolled in a high school art class for at least one semester in which he/she maintained a 95 average
• Students must have participated in at least one festival or competition during the current school year
• Students must actively be pursuing art in their lives
• Students must exhibit excellent character, a good attitude toward teachers and fellow students, and cooperation and helpfulness in classes and in school
• Because the NAHS works on multiple projects throughout the year, students must work well with others, be open to critique, and be reliable to complete work by deadlines

To maintain an active status, members must:

• Enroll in a high school art class one semester per year and maintain a 95 average in those classes and at least a 77 cumulative average in other academic subjects
• Complete 12 service hours in the Fine Arts Department each year and participate in at least one NAHS project per year for Saint Joseph's or the community
• Participate in the Saint Joseph's Spring Art Show each year. Work one Fine Arts Coffeehouse as well as donate one dessert, and attend other Fine Arts fund-raising events each year
• Attend bi-monthly meetings Be of excellent character, exhibit a good attitude toward teachers and fellow students, and be cooperative and helpful in classes and in school
• Demonstrate responsibility in all NAHS activities

To earn a rainbow cord to be worn at graduation, a member must fulfill active membership requirements for at least two years, have dedicated 40 hours participating in NAHS art projects, and remain in good standing with the NAHS, school and community until graduation day.

The primary goals of the National English Honors Society (NEHS) are to recognize on the national level those who, on the basis of academic grades and performance, merit special note for past and current accomplishments; to nurture members to further develop their abilities in the various fields of English; and to encourage members to use their talents in the service of others.

The 'Mystery and Manners' Chapter of the National English Honor Society, founded in January 2011, recognizes students who have excelled in the area of language arts and who show a genuine love of subject and an interest in promoting literacy and language appreciation in the greater community.

Students inducted into the society have earned unweighted cumulative grade point averages of 83 overall and 93 in English courses, have completed an honors/AP level course, and have completed at least three semesters of high school.

The Société Honoraire de Français recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding scholarship in the study of French language. The purpose of this society is to recognize high achievement of secondary students in French and to promote a continuing interest in Francophone studies. This society is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French.

To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of Saint Joseph’s Catholic School.

2022 NHS Introduction to the Selection Process

Since the National Honor Society highlights student responsibility and initiative, parental inquiries on behalf of their children are strongly discouraged. Invitations to complete an application are sent to qualifying juniors during the fourth quarter.

Mu Alpha Theta is the National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society. The school's chapter was founded in 2011. The criteria for membership in Mu Alpha Theta is as follows:

• By the student's junior year, he/she should be taking at least two of the three required high school math courses for graduation at the Honors/AP level
• Grades of 85 or higher in all Honors/AP math courses and grades of 93 or higher in College Prep math courses
• A cumulative math average of 90 or higher and an overall average of 85 or higher

Meeting the criteria below for a student's senior year will entitle the student to wear a cord at graduation:

• Taking a full-year math course senior year, even though graduation requirements have been fulfilled
• By the student's senior year, he/she should be taking three of the four math courses at the Honors/AP level.

Saint Joseph's Chapter #6678 of the Tri-M Music Honor Society was founded in September 2000. Tri-M members assume many responsibilities, including student leadership and community service roles. Students show support of member's outside Fine Arts accomplishments and recognize artistic excellence.

High school students are invited to join based upon their involvement in the Saint Joseph's Music Department and the following criteria:

• Students must have completed 1 full year or two semesters in a performance based music class.

To maintain active status:

• Members must continue to be enrolled in a class for a minimum of 1 semester each year through high school
• Students must maintain a grade of 90 or above in their music classes and at least an 85 in other academic areas.
• Students must exhibit excellent character, as well as demonstrate a good attitude toward teachers and fellow students.
• Students must pay annual dues.
• Students must volunteer for Fine Arts Boosters sponsored events.

Participants who maintain active status will receive a cord at graduation. 

The Science National Honor Society was founded in 2000 with the goal of being a scientific organization that will engender a new group of young thinkers who will be the future of industry, research, and scientific exploration for America.

The society's motto is a quote from Virgil 'Fortunate is the one who understands the causes of things.' Students are invited in the spring of the junior year.

Students must meet the following criteria to be invited:

• A cumulative high school overall average of 90%.
• A cumulative high school science average of 90% for AP students OR 93% for Honors students.
• Enrollment in at least one honors or AP science class junior year.
• Enrollment in at least one honors or AP science class senior year.

To maintain membership:

• Enrollment in honors or AP level science coursework senior year.
• Continued academic excellence (overall average >90%; science average >90%)
• Completion of 2 science-related service hours
• Attendance at 2 science-related events
• Regular attendance at meetings
• Payment of society dues ($10.00 annually)

The Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society is an honor society for the recognition of achievement and excellence in the discipline of social studies at the high school level. This society is open to juniors and seniors who meet the entrance criteria. 

The St. Joseph's chapter actually predates the national organization, and in the spring of 2014 was awarded official membership in the national society. The school's 'Kate Barry' chapter was formed in the fall of 2009 for high school students interested in the study of history who would like more opportunities to become involved in historical research, activities, volunteerism, and scholarship. Rho Kappa is taken from two words of Semitic origin: Rho is derived from 'resh' meaning 'head' and Kappa is derived from 'kapf meaning 'palm of the hand'. Both these terms  symbolize the firm belief that knowledge without service is useless. Kate Barry is an Upstate Revolutionary war heroine.

Must meet the following criteria:

• Juniors must have a minimum of 2.5 credits in core social studies courses with a minimum 90 average overall in those classes
• Juniors must have a minimum 83 average overall.
• Juniors must have taken at least 1 Honors/AP level history class and currently be enrolled in an Honors/AP level history class OR Seniors must have completed at least 3.5 credits in history, with at least 2 of those at the honors or AP level AND currently be enrolled in a social studies/history class. 

To maintain membership:

• Juniors must continue to pursue academic social studies courses and work toward a minimum of 4.5 credits in these courses.
• Students must exhibit qualities of service and citizenship in either the school or the community.
• Students must have completed or be currently enrolled in at least two Honors or Advanced Placement History courses
• Members must maintain a 90 average in their history/social studies classes and an 83 average overall.
• Seniors must have a minimum of 3.5 credits in social studies courses and currently be enrolled in one course, or they must have 4.5 credits in social studies coursework upon graduation
•  Students must have a minimum 90 average in their current honors history class or a minimum 88 average in current AP class.
• All NSSHS members must complete at least a half credit course beyond the minimum credit requirement of 4 credits.  
• Attend one historical event per year
• Volunteer at one historical event each year
• Attend one lecture each year offered by either the St. Joseph's History Department or an outside university
• Society members must also pay $25 annual membership dues

Students who fail to maintain the criteria will be placed on probation and have one academic quarter to fulfill the requirements. Failure to do so can result in removal from the Honor Society.

The Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica is an honor society for high school students enrolled in Spanish and is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. Formally organized as the Spanish National Honor Society in 1953.

The purpose of the society is to recognize high achievement of high school students in the Spanish language and to promote a continuing interest in Hispanic studies. The name of our chapter here at St. Joseph’s is Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.