Honor Societies

List of 5 items.

• STEAM Society

  The STEAM Society at Bishop Diego High School is open to high achieving students interested in intentionally focusing their high school studies in the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) disciplines. The ideal member is intrinsically motivated by the STEAM disciplines and is interested in pursuing a college major or post-graduate career in a STEAM field.  The coursework is very rigorous and highly demanding with a balance of traditional instruction and project-based learning. 

  
  

  The three Educational Aims of the Society are:

  
  

  1. Expose members to a broad and rigorous college preparatory curriculum that supports academic and career investigation.
  2. Inspire members to explore the various applications of their interests in our multicultural society.
  3. Connect members with industry experts who share their personal and professional interests.

  
  
  

  Requirements for Maintaining Membership and Recognition at Commencement

  
  

  • Must be on track with BDHS Graduation Requirements
  • Must be on track to complete STEAM coursework 
  • Must maintain active participation in all STEAM Society events or other activities as determined by the School
  • Must maintain a high level of maturity and character as defined by Christian moral conduct
  • In 10th-12th grades, serve as a peer tutor for 10 hours per year (30 total)
  • Presentation of an approved project in the Junior year
  • Completion of Senior STEAM Symposium Project in the senior year

• Bishop Scholars Society

  The Bishop Scholars Society provides opportunities for gifted students to pursue the highest level coursework possible based on their individual needs and college goals.  The Society is by invitation only and is under the direction of the C&SS Division, who works closely with these students to determine the appropriate course of study. 

  
  

  BSS Students are permitted and encouraged to:

  • Have a modified schedule which will allow time for independent study and online coursework
  • Enroll in SBCC and UCSB courses during the school day, where appropriate
  • Enroll in upper division (junior and senior level) classes beginning in 10th grade, including AP classes
  • Study independently for AP exams, in place of regularly scheduled classes, with the help of a teacher mentor

  
  

  Students must meet the following criteria for admission to the BSS:

  • Test scores (PSAT) in the 90th percentile in either Math or English
  • 4.0 GPA
  • Receive approval from the School, based on the following:
    • Exemplifies positive attitudes
    • Demonstrates academic initiative
    • Is thoroughly dependable
    • Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude
    • Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
    • Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior 
    • Upholds principles of morality and ethics
    • Cooperates by complying with school regulations 
    • Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability 
    • Observes instructions and rules and is punctual 
    • Has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention 

  
  

  If the School determines that a student meets all the above criteria, the student will be invited to participate in the program and a meeting will take place with the student (and family) to determine a suitable schedule/course of study.

• National Honor Society

  Students in grades 10-12 with a 3.75 (minimum) GPA are invited to submit an information form which is used in the selection of members of NHS. In order to be selected as a member you must also fulfill certain criteria in the areas of leadership, service and character. 

  
  

  The leadership criterion is considered highly important for membership selection. Leadership may be interpreted as the number of offices a student has held in school or community organizations, although it is important to recognize that leadership also exists outside campus activities. Leadership may also be defined in less objective terms. Leadership roles in both the school and community may be considered, provided they can be verified.

  
  

  Service is generally considered to be those actions undertaken by the student which are done with or on behalf of others without any direct financial or material compensation to the individual performing the service. In considering service, the contributions the candidate has made to school, classmates, and community, as well as the student’s attitude toward service can be reviewed.

  
  

  Character is probably the most difficult criterion to define. The Faculty Council considers the positive as well as the negative aspects of character. All judgments in this and other selection criteria should be free of speculation and rumor. A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship. 

• National Art Honor Society

  For more than 40 years, the National Art Honor Society has inspired and recognized outstanding middle and high school students for academic accomplishments in the visual arts and service to their communities.  Membership in the Bishop Diego chapter of the National Art Honor Society is available to 10-12 grade students who earn an overall B average or higher, an A- or higher in their art classes (adjusted for AP Art), and have completed at least 25 annual service hours, including 2 art related community service projects.* 

   

  *Most NAHS members are also Art Club members.  Art Club provides students with opportunities to serve those in our local community through artistic means. These service projects include, but are not limited to: making care cards & ceramic pots to plant succulents in for the elderly in care homes in our local community, beanies for babies of single mothers who chose life for them, decorating artistic gift bags for people with disabilities though Angel's Bearing Gifts, and the Empty Bowls Project to raise awareness & money for food for those in need through the Unity Shoppe, Domestic Violence Solutions, or another food provision organization of student choice.  

   

  There is a $10 annual membership fee billed to student accounts.  This fee covers all official annual NAHS dues to NAEA, award certificates & graduation honors cords.

• California Scholarship Federation

  The California Scholarship Federation is a statewide organization whose purpose is to recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement.  Qualifying for membership is on a semester basis following a point system that requires A’s and B’s in the most difficult classes.  CSF is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  To become a lifetime member (Sealbearer), students must have qualified and made application for four semesters during their last three years of high school, including one semester in their senior year.  To become a 100% Life Member, students must be in CSF all six semesters from sophomore to senior year.  At graduation, CSF members receive a special seal on their diploma, a certificate, and a gold mantle.