Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society
Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society
Submissions for the 2024 Rho Kappa Scholarship are currently open!
A Rho Kappa chapter at your high school provides national recognition for your outstanding students, and encourages an interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies.
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. Any accredited public or private high school can apply for a local chapter, through which individuals will be inducted into Rho Kappa Honor Society.
Starting a Chapter at Your School
Any accredited public or private high school is eligible to apply for a local chapter charter. Each high school shall have its own chapter unless there is not a faculty advisor available. In such instances, one chapter may be shared as long as all other constitutional requirements are met and fulfilled.
Please ensure you have approval from your school, district, or state before proceeding (when applicable).
Step 1. Select an Advisor
A teacher in the field of social studies must serve as the chapter advisor. This person will need to gather a core group of interested teachers and students to discuss the possibility of forming a chapter.
- The chapter advisor shall be responsible for the chapter’s day-to-day activities, act as a supervisor over the chapter, and perform the duties of a liaison among administration, faculty, students, and community members.
- The chapter advisor shall coordinate the creation and review of chapter bylaws to execute the national organization’s constitution and outline the chapter’s operating procedures.
- The chapter advisor shall maintain accurate and up-to-date files that consist of membership lists, financial transactions, chapter history, chapter activities, chapter publications and correspondence, and chapter by-laws.
- The chapter advisor shall regularly review each member to ensure membership in good standing as determined by the chapter’s by-laws.
- The chapter advisor shall assist the chapter officers to understand and carry out their duties to the best of their abilities.
- The chapter advisor shall be the main liaison between the local chapter and the national organization. This advisor is responsible for submitting all membership lists and associated fees along with any other information requested by the Rho Kappa Advisory Council.
- The chapter advisor shall appoint a faculty selection committee assembled at the high school in which the chapter resides to select new members. The selection committee shall consist of the chapter advisor and other faculty members within the school. Membership is based upon academic achievement in courses within the field of social studies as well as overall academic GPA.
- The chapter advisor is considered Rho Kappa honorary member.
Step 2. Complete a New Charter Application
Once the decision is made to start a chapter, the advisor must submit a $150 charter fee and a charter application to officially secure his/her charter. It takes approximately 7-10 days for the application to be processed. A formal charter is sent to the attention of the chapter advisor at the school address.