Honor Societies
National Honor Society
Chapter Advisor: Ms. Katie Syc, ksyc@depaulprep.org
Membership in the National Honor Society (NHS) is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a high school student. Our chapter has worked hard to bring the accomplishments of outstanding students to the attention of parents, teachers, peers, and the community. Our chapter strives to give practical meaning to the Society’s standards of scholarship, service, leadership, and character in conjunction with DePaul College Prep’s Core Values of Faith, Respect, Excellence, Service, and Health. These ideals are considered as the basis for selection. No student is inducted simply because of a high academic average. The National Honor Society strives to recognize the total student—one who excels in all of these areas.
Membership, however, is more than an honor. It is an ongoing responsibility and an obligation to continue to demonstrate those outstanding qualities that result in a student’s selection. Membership also carries a responsibility to the chapter. If our NHS chapter is to be effective and meaningful, each member must become involved.
The standards used for selection and maintaining membership are:
- Maintenance of a cumulative 3.5 GPA
- Participation in 5 hours of specific NHS service opportunities/events prior to April 1, 2023
- Participation in at least one event hosted by another Honor Society prior to April 1, 2023
- Exemplifying DePaul College Prep’s Core Values of: Faith, Respect, Excellence, Service, and Health
- Once a member has completed the above requirements, the individual will be inducted into an honor society. One must remain in good academic and behavioral standing to remain an active member. Any student that falls below standing will enter probation status until they fulfill their expectations for good standing. Seniors who do not maintain their standing during their spring semester will forfeit their honor society cords at the graduation ceremony.
French Honor Society
Chapter Advisor: Mme Britt Parker, bparker@depaulprep.org
Société Honoraire de Français (French Honor Society) is an academic honorary organization that represents upper level students who demonstrate their passion for French language and culture. Students are actively involved in organizing cultural events, peer tutoring, and various service projects within the community. Société Honoraire de Français values leadership, service, and dedication to French language culture. Candidates must meet high academic criteria in French and be in good standing throughout their high school career.
The standards used for selection and maintaining membership are:
- French 3 or higher
- Must be enrolled in (or intend to be enrolled in) French for all four years of high school*
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA in French classes
- Participation in 5 hours of related service opportunities/events prior to April 1, 2023
- Receive 4 participation points prior to April 1, 2023
- Exemplifying DePaul College Prep’s Core Values of: Faith, Respect, Excellence, Service, and Health
Once a member has completed the above requirements, the individual will be inducted into an honor society. One must remain in good academic and behavioral standing to remain an active member. Any student that falls below standing will enter probation status until they fulfill their expectations for good standing. Seniors who do not maintain their standing during their spring semester will forfeit their honor society cords at the graduation ceremony.
*Students who have completed French 4 in their junior year will be exempt from this requirement senior year only, as they have completed the highest level of French offered at DePaul.
Spanish Honor Society
Chapter Advisor: Srta. Alicia Heninger, aheninger@depaulprep.org
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish Honor Society) is an academic honorary organization that represents upper level students who have shown their commitment to the language through academic excellence. Through cultural events and peer tutoring, our members are dedicated to promoting the study of the Spanish language and the culture of Hispanic countries. Candidates must meet high academic criteria in Spanish and be in good standing throughout their high school career.
The standards used for selection and maintaining membership are:
- Spanish 3 or higher (if enrolled in Spanish 2, teacher recommendation is required)
- Must be enrolled in (or intend to be enrolled in) Spanish for all four years of high school
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA in Spanish classes
- Participation in 5 hours of related service opportunities/events prior to April 1, 2023
- Receive 4 participation points prior to April 1, 2023
- Exemplifying DePaul College Prep’s Core Values of: Faith, Respect, Excellence, Service, and Health
Once a member has completed the above requirements, the individual will be inducted into an honor society. One must remain in good academic and behavioral standing to remain an active member. Any student that falls below standing will enter probation status until they fulfill their expectations for good standing. Seniors who do not maintain their standing during their spring semester will forfeit their honor society cords at the graduation ceremony.
National Chinese Honor Society
Chapter Advisor: Mr. Chris Corbett, ccorbett@depaulprep.org
全美中文荣誉学会 (The National Chinese Honor Society) is a scholastic organization that promotes and recognizes students who demonstrate citizenship, leadership, and community service. The purpose of the National Chinese Honor Society is to encourage its members to become life-long learners in order to gain a better understanding of Chinese language and culture, as well as to play an active role as contributing global citizens in the twenty-first century.
The standards used for selection and maintaining membership are:
- Mandarin 3 or higher (if enrolled in Mandarin 2, teacher recommendation is required)
- Must be enrolled in (or intend to be enrolled in) Mandarin for all four years of high school
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA in Mandarin classes
- Participation in 5 hours of related service opportunities/events prior to April 1, 2023
- Receive 4 participation points prior to April 1, 2023
- Exemplifying DePaul College Prep’s Core Values of: Faith, Respect, Excellence, Service, and Health
Once a member has completed the above requirements, the individual will be inducted into an honor society. One must remain in good academic and behavioral standing to remain an active member. Any student that falls below standing will enter probation status until they fulfill their expectations for good standing. Seniors who do not maintain their standing during their spring semester will forfeit their honor society cords at the graduation ceremony.
Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society
Chapter Advisor: Mr. Joseph Hohrein, jhohrein@depaulprep.org, Mrs. Marissa Juiris, mjuiris@depaulprep.org
Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies. Rho Kappa provides national recognition and opportunities for exploration in the social studies. Rho Kappa is an honor society whose mission and purpose is to recognize academic excellence in social studies; to provide opportunities for exploration in the social studies; and to encourage interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies.
The standards used for selection and maintaining membership are:
- Maintenance of a cumulative 3.5 GPA in all Social Studies courses
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Completion of at least one Social Studies elective course (AP or IB courses qualify)
- Participation in 5 hours of related service opportunities/events prior to April 1, 2023
- Participation in at least 1 event hosted by another Honor Society prior to April 1, 2023
- Exemplifying DePaul College Prep’s Core Values of: Faith, Respect, Excellence, Service, and Health
Once a member has completed the above requirements, the individual will be inducted into an honor society. One must remain in good academic and behavioral standing to remain an active member. Any student that falls below standing will enter probation status until they fulfill their expectations for good standing. Seniors who do not maintain their standing during their spring semester will forfeit their honor society cords at the graduation ceremony.
National Art Honor Society
Chapter Advisor: Ms. Victoria Aguliar, vaguilar@depaulprep.org
Membership in the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a high school art student. The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is more than an art club. NAHS will provide a place where student artists can explore their ideas, challenge their technical skills as an artist as well as become an active member in the Chicago Art community.
The standards used for selection and maintaining membership are:
- Has taken a Visual Art class at a high school level, with a grade of an A OR currently enrolled (in good standing):
- Art Foundations
- Sculpture
- Graphic Design and Textiles
- IB Visual Arts Year 1
- IB Visual Arts Year 2
- Film Production Fundamentals
- Documentary Production
- IB Film Year 1
- IB Film Year 2
- Maintenance of a cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Participation in 5 hours of specific NAHS service opportunities/events prior to April 1, 2023 including the end of the year art show
- Participation in at least 1 event hosted by another Honor Society prior to April 1, 2023
- Exemplifying DePaul College Prep’s Core Values of: Faith, Respect, Excellence, Service, and Health
Once a member has completed the above requirements, the individual will be inducted into an honor society. One must remain in good academic and behavioral standing to remain an active member. Any student that falls below standing will enter probation status until they fulfill their expectations for good standing. Seniors who do not maintain their standing during their spring semester will forfeit their honor society cords at the graduation ceremony.
Science National Honors Society
Chapter Advisor: Ms. Claire Kaminski ckaminski@depaulprep.org
Membership in Science National Honors Society recognizes and celebrates students who have excelled in the field of science. By offering membership to high school juniors and seniors to support student interest in science, promote academic excellence and motivate students to strive for success in their scientific pursuits.
The standards used for selection and maintaining membership are:
- Maintenance of a cumulative weighted 3.5 GPA in all Science courses
- Must be enrolled in (or intend to be enrolled in) a Science course for all four years of high school
- Maintain a minimum cumulative weighted 3.25 GPA.
- Participation in 10 hours of related service opportunities/events prior to April 1, 2024
- Participation in the science fair to be held at DePaul Prep.
- Members are expected to be present at all meetings and communicate in a timely manner of any pre-scheduled conflicts. Any student with 3 unexcused absences at meetings will be dismissed from the application process and/or from the chapter.
- Exemplifying DePaul College Prep’s Core Values of Faith, Respect, Excellence and Service and Health at all times.
Once a member has completed the above requirements, the individual will be inducted into an honor society. One must remain in good academic and behavioral standing to remain an active member. Any student that falls below standing will enter probation status until they fulfill their expectations for good standing. Seniors who do not maintain their standing during their spring semester will forfeit their honor society cords at the graduation ceremony.
Please advise, all communication about the induction process and requirements will be held between the student and the chapter advisor only. Given this is an honor society, it is the responsibility of the student to stay on top of their application requirements, meeting schedules, and communication with the advisor.
Students who meet the criteria for each Honor Society are encouraged to apply for membership. This distinction will bolster college applications and help our students be recognized as the accomplished students they are.
To apply, students should contact the chapter advisors listed with each honor society and fill out the application, or contact Chris Petersen, Dean of Student Activities at cpetersen@depaulprep.org or Desiree Dollak, Assistant Director of Student Activities at ddollak@depaulprep.org.