ACADEMIC HONORS AND RECOGNITION
Principal's Honor Roll with Distinction
Students enrolled in three (3) or more Honors or Advanced Placement classes and who have achieved a grade point average of 4.0.
Principal's Honor Roll
Students who achieve a 4.0 grade point average.
Honor Roll
Students who achieve a 3.2 to 3.9 grade point average. All grades must be "C" or better.
These lists are published each semester. A St. Paul High School medal for academic achievement is awarded to the top student in each subject area and on each class level at the annual Awards Assembly.
Valedictorian & Salutatorian
The Valedictorian is ranked #1 in the Senior Class and receives a gold medallion at the Senior / Parent Recognition Night. The Salutatorian is ranked #2 in the Senior Class and receives a silver medallion at the Senior/Parent Recognition Night Ties are broken by comparing academic program and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores.
SWORDSMEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Two seniors, one male and one female, will be selected upon nomination from faculty/staff and approval by the Principal, based on loyalty exemplary integrity and character, involvement in school and community activities, respected by peers and staff, Christian attitude and a genuine love for their alma mater. This award is given at the Senior Honors Assembly.
CECILIA RONAN OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Scholar Athlete of the Year Award will be selected by the Athletic Director with Administration approval.
To be eligible for consideration for this award, the student athlete must:
- be a senior
- maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA or better while participating in athletics
- earn a varsity letter
- be recognized as contributing to the overall school community in cooperation, Christian service, and attitude
SWORDSMEN SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD
Seniors who have participated in athletics in each of the last four years and have maintained an accumulated 3.5 GPA or better are awarded the Swordsmen Scholar Athlete Medallion. This medallion will be worn with their cap and gown on graduation day.
SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD
Students in grades 9-12 who have maintained a 3.5 GPA or better during their season of sport are awarded a Scholar Athlete Patch and/or a Scholar Athlete Certificate. Students will receive a patch once throughout their four years, but can receive multiple certificates.
The fall awards assembly will include the following sports using semester 2 grades for verification:
- Baseball
- Boys' Volleyball
- Boys' Golf
- Softball
- Track & Field
The spring awards assembly will include the following sports using semester 1 grades for verification:
- Cross Country
- Football
- Girls' Volleyball
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Girls' Golf
The school reserves the right to amend the qualifications for the selection process at anytime.
TESTING PROGRAM
The Guidance Office conducts the school's academic testing programs. Freshmen, sophomores, and Juniors take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test(PSAT). Juniors are advised to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), the SAT Subject Tests and the ACT in May or June. Beginning in spring 2016, St. Paul High School will be offering the ACT to all it's juniors. Seniors are strongly encouraged to take these tests in October if they have not already done so or repeat to achieve better scores before December. An SAT prep class is offered in early October on campus for all students prior to scheduled tests in October and November. For information, visit the Guidance Office or www.collegeboard.com.
The St. Paul school code is 053761.
HONOR SOCIETIES
Honor Societies are voluntary organizations. Each organization has its own regulations and membership requirements which may be different from the school's academic program. It is the responsibility of the student to seek membership at the appropriate time and to fulfill all membership requirements of such programs.
National Honor Society
Selection to NHS is a privilege, not a right. Students do not apply for membership in the National Honor Society; instead, they provide information to be used by the selection committee to support their candidacy for membership. Membership is granted only to those students selected by the Faculty Council of the school. This is not an election, nor is membership automatically awarded simply because a student has achieved a specific level of academic performance. The society emphasizes other components in the selection process (leadership, service, and character). This honor, recognized throughout the entire nation, is both the public recognition of accomplishment and the private commitment to continued excellence on the part of the new member.
California Scholarship Federation
The purpose of the St. Paul High School Chapter 680 of the California Scholastic Federation is to foster high standards of scholarship and citizenship on the part of the students of St. Paul High School. Membership is based on scholarship and citizenship only. The scholarship requirement calls for a student to earn 10 CSF points designated by the organization. A student may only use 5 subjects to qualify for CSF membership. CSF points shall be calculated as follows:
Each student must be responsible for completing an application, submitting a copy of the current semester report card, paying the membership dues, and turning it in on the designated due date assigned by the CSF moderator. No late applications will be accepted. This membership must be renewed on a per semester basis. Membership is granted after the moderator has reviewed the application and semester report card.
To be considered a Life Time member and to be awarded a gold cord to be worn at graduation, a student must qualify with the required points, pay the fee, and turn in the application on the due date, for at least 4 semesters beginning sophomore year. One of these semesters must either be the first semester senior year.
Mu Alpha Theta
Mu Alpha Theta is the National High School Mathematics Honor Society. We are dedicated to inspiring keen interest in mathematics, developing strong scholarship in the subject, and promoting the enjoyment of mathematics in high school. High school students in grades 9 through 12, at the school where their permanent record resides, who have completed the equivalent of four semesters of college preparatory mathematics and in addition have completed or are enrolled in a still more advanced course, are eligible for full membership providing their mathematical work was done with distinction. On the 4-point grading scale, this shall mean at least a 3.0 grade point average.
Honors Academy
To be inducted in the Honors Academy, students must successfully complete (B or better) coursework in three honors course semesters as a freshman (or six semesters if applying as a sophomore, or ten semesters if applying as a junior).
To be recognized as a Life Member, students must successfully complete (B or better) coursework in sixteen (16) or more Honors/ Advanced Placement courses by the end of their 7th semester. At graduation, eligible students will be given special recognition and will be able to incorporate this information when applying to colleges and for scholarships.
Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica
The purpose of the Society is to recognize high achievement in Spanish students of secondary schools and to promote continuity of interest in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian studies. A student who has maintained an honor average in the study of for at least three semesters is eligible for membership in the Society. Sponsors should also include character, leadership, seriousness of purpose, cooperation, honesty, service and commitment to others in the criteria for selection into the Society. The student must be enrolled in the study of the language at the time of initiation. No initiation is to take place earlier than the tenth grade.
Latin Honor Society
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote a more thorough knowledge of classical life, history and literature; to impart a better understanding of the practical and cultural value of the classics; to interest other students in the classical languages and literature, government, laws, and arts; and as members of the organization, to pattern our citizenship in respect to family, school and nation after the best examples of the classical civilizations. . A student who has maintained an honor average in the study of for at least three semesters is eligible for membership in the Society
CAMPUS MINISTRY
Campus Ministry supports the philosophy and mission of St. Paul High School; our Catholic Faith permeates the study, prayer, worship, service, art and athleticism of our students. With Jesus Christ as the Head, the administration, faculty, staff, and students seek to become the Body of Christ for the world. The Campus Minister oversees the many activities of Campus Ministry in collaboration with the Principal and Chaplain.
RETREATS
The philosophy of education at St. Paul High School is to educate the whole person. For this reason students are required to take a pause from their classes in order to make an annual retreat with classmates. Whether on or off campus, these retreats give students the opportunity to reflect on their relationship with the Lord, their brothers and sisters in the Church, and how the Lord is calling them to loving service. Retreats are planned by the Campus Ministry class under the leadership of the Campus Minister and Chaplain. The cost of the annual retreat is included in the Student Activity Fee. Seniors have the second option of participating in a four-day Kairos retreat hosted off campus. This retreat follows a particular format and is facilitated by classmates, alumni, faculty, and staff. The cost of Kairos is not included in the Student Activity Fee.
MASS
The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. Mass is offered daily in the school chapel at 7:15a.m. A second Mass is offered every Wednesday at lunch. Students are required to participate in schoolwide liturgies wearing Formal Attire uniform as scheduled on the school calendar. Only students who are Catholic and have already made their First Holy Communion may receive Holy Communion during school Masses. Parents are invited to participate in any school Mass or devotion as scheduled throughout the school year.
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Christian discipleship requires on-going conversion. The Sacrament of Penance is available to students daily by making an appointment with the Chaplain. During the seasons of Advent and Lent, a communal penance service with a large number of confessors is celebrated for the whole student body.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE
The works of mercy are an abiding norm for disciples of Jesus Christ. Students are required to complete a minimum of twenty-five (25) valid Christian Service hours each academic year they are enrolled. One-hundred (100) valid Christian Service hours are required for graduation and to receive their diploma. Christian Service forms are available in the Main Office and are to be submitted to the Christian Service Moderator.
All Christian Service hours for the academic year are due by May 1.
Students deficient in their Christian Service hours are automatically enrolled in a summer school class to make-up their deficient hours.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE AWARDS
Underclassmen who complete fifty (50) valid Christian Service hours or more during the academic year are granted the Christian Service Award at the Underclassmen Awards ceremony. The deadline to qualify for this award is March 15.
Seniors who culminate two-hundred (200) or more valid Christian Service hours over the course of their high school career are bestowed with the Red Cord, which is worn over their academic gown at graduation. The deadline to qualify for the Red Cord is March 15.
The Seniors with the highest number of valid Christian Service hours by the end of the first semester are eligible recipients of the Archdiocesan Christian Service Award. These students are honored with a medallion bestowed by the Archbishop of Los Angeles at a Mass in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. This medallion is worn over their academic gown at graduation.
CAMPUS MINISTRY CLASS
The primary purpose of this particular Senior Religion course is to call forth and further develop Christian leadership. The students in the Campus Ministry class offer Christian witness and service to the school community. Seniors enrolled in this class meet before, during and after school and on weekends in order to plan and fulfill the various aspects of Campus Ministry. Students in this class receive academic credit in fulfillment of their Senior Religion requirement.
Towards the end of their Junior year, students are selected for the Campus Ministry class through an application process. Consideration is given to students who actively live their Catholic faith, serve as Christian role models and inspire their peers, are in good academic standing, and have a history of generous and dependable Christian service. Upon positive recommendations from the faculty, staff, and their peers, a board carefully discerns then selects which applicants will serve as the Campus Ministry class for the following school year. Campus Ministry students are required to participate in a retreat before their Senior year begins. The cost of this retreat is not included in the Student Activity Fee.
