RHO KAPPA National Social Studies  Honor Society

    Sponsors: Mrs. Geri Acquard

    Sponsors: Mrs. Kathy Simmons

    Sponsors: Mr. Mitch Joy

    2025-2026 Officers:

    RHO KAPPA is governed by an elected student council.

    • Christian Bird
    • Sonia Gass
    • Ethan Pletter
    • Namuun Tugsjargal
       

    RHO KAPPA:

    The purpose of Rho Kappa is to celebrate those who have dedicated themselves to a high level of performance in WJHS social studies and service to the WJHS community.

    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 high school or non-secondary school can apply for a local chapter, through which individuals will be inducted into Rho Kappa Honor Society. Rho Kappa provides national recognition and opportunities for exploration in the the social studies. The National Council for the Social Studies hopes to encourage an interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies through the creation of Rho Kappa. 

    In order to be eligible to join Rho Kappa you must:

    a) Have an overall UNWEIGHTED GPA of 3.0 or higher.

    b) Have taken 2 of the 3 Social Studies CORE classes at the AP level with an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher (Core classes are US History, US Government, and Modern World History - you may be currently enrolled in one or more of these classes to be eligible).

    c) Have taken three or more additional elective college credit-bearing courses in Social Studies with no semester grade below B. The current course offerings that meet this requirement are AP European History, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP Comparative Government, AP African American Studies, AP Human Geography, and HONORS/CLEP Sociology.

    d) Have earned a 3 or higher on the social studies AP exam (or a score of 53 for CLEP Sociology if applicable) for at least 3 of the social studies classes that have been taken.

    e) Be enrolled in a WJ Social Studies course each semester of their Junior and Senior year, even if all other academic requirements are met (these can be non-AP elective social studies courses).

    f) Uphold all aspects of personal integrity as stated in the MCPS and WJHS Student Codes of Conduct and Academic Integrity.

    g) Pay the required new membership fee (to be determined by MCPS; expected to be approximately $15 - no dues for returning members).

    If interested in applying, fill our the application which will open Nov. 10 through Nov. 17, 2025.