Being a member of the Honor Society or Beta Club speaks to a student's academic success, community involvement, leadership skills, and overall high character. The more active role a student takes in the Honor Society & Beta Club, the more benefits they'll reap from their involvement in it.
Qualifications for Beta Club and Honor Society Consideration
Grades: Grades are taken from the first two quarters of the school year with each quarter evaluated separately. Students must meet grades standards in both quarters.
The qualifications for membership on the part of the student shall be: (a) worthy, moral and ethical character; (b) exemplary achievement, and commendable attitude. The standards and means for appraising these qualities shall be determined by the administration of the school where the chapter is located.
Beta Club: Members are expected to lead by example and must follow all rules set in the Beta Club by-laws. An unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or higher with no more than one letter grade of C (80% or 2) in gen-ed and elective classes is allowed for the semester (2 grading periods). These grades are taken from the first two quarters of the school year with each quarter evaluated separately. Students must meet grades standards in both quarters. Members who do not maintain the minimum required GPA throughout the year will be dismissed from the club. A letter grade of D (70% or 1) or lower will negate any considerations for invitation to the South Middle School Beta Club.
Honor Society: National Junior Honor Society membership is invitation-only and a specific honor. But Everyday Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character, and Citizenship are shared values of schools, communities, and families. Everyday Scholarship is a commitment to learning and growing on an educational path. An unweighted GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or higher in gen-ed and elective classes. These grades are taken from the first two quarters of the school year with each quarter evaluated separately. Students must meet grades standards in both quarters. Members who do not maintain the minimum required GPA throughout the year will be dismissed from the club. A letter grade of C (80% or 2) or lower will negate any considerations for invitation to the South Middle School Honor Society. Members receiving a letter grade of C (80% or 2) or lower will be placed on probation.
Behavior Considerations: Initial behavior expectations are for the first half of the current school year.
OSS: No student who has served Out-of-school (OSS) during the current school year will be consider for either organization. No exceptions. Any member who receives OSS throughout the year will be dismissed from the club. No exceptions.
Referrals: Students with a referral will have their referral reviewed case-by-case. Students with more than one referral will not be considered for either organization. Any member who receives a second referral and fails review will be dismissed from the club. No exceptions.
ISS: All incidents of In-School Suspension (ISS) will be reviewed case-by-case. Any student who fails three ISS reviews will not be considered. Any student who receives ISS and fails one (1) review throughout the school year will be dismissed. No exceptions.
Blocks: Students who have attained 20 weighted blocks will not be considered. Most blocks count as one (1). Blocks for talking or restroom break are counted at half a block (.5). Members who are brought up for review for block count will be dismissed. No exceptions. (Block count is defined as three blocks in one class or receiving 8 blocks in one week. Both of these usually end up as either minor or major referrals.)
To be Honor Society or Beta Club is more than being on the all 'A' or 'A/B' Honor Roll. Students on either Honor Roll are to be congratulated and praised for accomplishing and expressing learning and knowledge. The leadership skills, character, and maturity that is looked for in honor organization candidates develops differently for each individual. For this reason, SMS considers most students as potential candidates, 6th through 8th grade.
