Highland Springs High School is proud to host several Honor Societies and Organizations. Below are the requirements for each individual Organization. For more information, please contact the sponsor of that Organization listed.
International Thespian Society
Sponsor- Taylor Bosta
- Students must participate in at least 2 full length productions or 4 one-acts. They also must have at least 100 hours of participation in the Highland Springs Theatre department.
Mu Alpha Theta
Sponsor-Jeffrey Rombach
The National High School and Junior College Mathematics Honor Society
Requirements for Membership:
- Enrolled in a math class higher than Algebra II
- Minimum overall unweighted GPA of 3.0
- Minimum math unweighted GPA of 3.0.
- A recommendation from one math teacher, excluding the Mu Alpha Theta sponsor.
- A commitment to be an active member by regularly attending meetings and participating in tutoring and special events.
National Beta Club
Cosponsors-Eric Byers & Crystal Wood
The National Beta Club is an honor society that recognizes outstanding academic achievement, promotes strong moral character and social responsibility, encourages service to others, fosters leadership skills, and provides settings for you to develop strong interpersonal skills. The core values of the BETA Creed are honesty, justice, service, cooperation, responsibility, industriousness, humility and charity. Students selected into the BETA Club are expected to uphold each part of the creed to the fullest extent possible.
- Students must be academically a Junior or Senior and have a cumulative unweighted GPA of at least 3.0. Students must also complete a rigorous application process where they must receive positive recommendations by the teachers and complete an application. Students must uphold the highest standard of character with no history of In-School Detention, Out-of-School Suspension or Honor Code violations. Upon successful application, students will also be asked to pay a one-time $25 fee to the club for National and Local Dues.
National English Honor Society
Sponsor-TBA
Membership in NEHS is by invitation, extended through a local chapter on behalf of the national organization. Membership in NEHS is an honor bestowed on individuals selected for their accomplishments in the field of English and in overall academic achievement.
The NEHS Constitution sets forth as minimum requirements for active membership the following:
- attendance at the school the equivalent of one semester prior to being considered. (If special circumstances merit, the Faculty Advisory Council may waive the semester regulation);
- completion of the equivalent of two semesters of English prior to induction as members;
- the achievement of a minimum overall and English grade point average of a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) prior to induction as members; and
- submission and payment of the new member enrollment via NEHS Connect.
These criteria may be raised, but not lowered, by the local chapter, but criteria must be based solely on demonstrable academic matters.
National Honor Society
Sponsor- Katherine Leonard
- In order to qualify for NHS the student must be a junior or senior with a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Once the student gets an application based on their academic achievement they must prove to a committee that they have leadership, character and community service hours. The committee will review their application for these things and the faculty will get a list of eligible students in order to speak on their character.
National Science Honor Society
Cosponsors- Stephanie Anderson & Dawn Sherwood
- Student must be enrolled in a 4th year of science at the Honors/AP level. Student must have a 3.5 or higher GPA in science classes. Student must have a 3.0 or higher GPA overall.
- If inducted, student must maintain these standards, pay $25 dues, and complete 8 hours of community service on behalf of a science endeavor (environmental clean-up, tutoring, volunteer at a hospital/animal shelter/research facility, work at and/or participate in walks that benefit research endeavors such as the Race for the Cure.)
RHO KAPPA
Sponsor-Matthew Atkinson
The National Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies. Any accredited public high school or non-secondary school can apply for a local chapter. RHO KAPPA provides national recognition and opportunities for exploration in the social studies. NCSS hopes to encourage an interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies through the creation of RHO KAPPA.
Student candidate for membership shall be selected to a designated chapter of Rho Kappa based on the following criteria:
- have been in attendance at the school in which the chapter resides for the equivalent of one semester prior to being considered (If a special or unique circumstances merit, the high school administration may waive the semester requirement, providing a letter of explanation to the National Advisory Council).
- have completed four semesters of courses in the field of social studies and be prepared to complete at least six semesters. The minimum grade point average for these courses is an unweighted 3.00 or the numerical equivalent.
- have an overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 or the numerical equivalent (Individual chapters may choose to increase the GPA requirements for their chapter but may not decrease them).
Candidates achieving the minimal GPA requirements may be invited to apply for membership into Rho Kappa. The application process will require candidates to show participation in activities the demonstrate civic engagement in school or community and their desire and aspiration to be a member of the organization. Applicants must have two (2) letters of recommendation from a current faculty member.
Tri-M Music Honor Society
Sponsor-Davon Yonkers
Tri-M Music Honor Society, formerly known as Modern Music Masters, is our high school music honor society and is a program of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). It is designed to recognize students for their academic and musical achievements and to provide leadership and service opportunities to young musicians. Tri-M was founded in 1936 and became a program of MENC in 1983 There are approximately 6200 participating chapters in several countries.
- Music Participation—you have to be (or have been) enrolled in a school music ensemble for at least one semester of the current school year. Juniors should have participated for at least two years and seniors should have participated for at least 3 years
- Grades/Scholarship—you have to have maintained a 3.0 grade point average in music, as well as at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average in your other classes, during the last semester.
- Leadership— any school or community activity that you’ve been actively involved in.
- Service— any school or community service activity you’ve been a part of, as long as whatever you did, you did for someone else and didn’t get money or receive any other kind of payment for it.
- Character— members who demonstrate respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Examples are being responsible, following school policies and procedures, being respectful of others and their property, being honest, being punctual, and being patient.