French Honor Society

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What is French Honor Society?

Société Honoraire de Français: Celui qui sait deux langues en vaut deux!

About the SHF

The establishment of a chapter of the Société Honoraire de Français offers several potential benefits to a secondary French program. In 2015, the AATF inaugurated the Jeunes Amis du Français, an honorary society for middle and elementary school students. Click here for more information on the Jeunes Amis du Français.

First, it provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding scholarship in the study of French language through selection for membership, the placement of a special seal on the graduate's diploma, the wearing of a tri-colored cord at graduation, and the right to wear the official emblem/pin of the honor society.

Second, the chapter provides a vehicle for focusing activities around French language and literature and also for encouraging member participation in the annual writing contest as well as apply for the annual travel grants.

In addition, there is the opportunity for students to experience leadership in serving as officers, directing the initiation ceremony, and/or leading other chapter events. Check out "SHF membership give back!" to learn more about what SHF members are doing worldwide!

How many years of French should students take before applying to French Honor Society?

Initiations are most often held In the spring (April and May) and usually in level III (another reason for a by-law, because the national constitution allows membership in the second semester of Level II). SHF is for high school students only. For information about les Jeunes Amis du Français, the honor society for middle and elementary school students, click here.

What is the criteria for eligibility for French Honor Society?

Q: How are grades to be handled in determining eligibility for invitation to membership?

A: Semester grade of “A –“ or above in French; average of “A –“ or above over last three semesters of French; average of “B –“ in all other courses over last three semesters. If your school uses a numerical grading system, the minimum grade in French for the semester prior to invitation, as well as the average for French courses in the three semesters prior to invitation, must equal or exceed the lowest number for an “A minus”. If averages are calculated on a 4-point system (A = 4, B = 3, etc.), an “A minus” would begin at 3.5. Also, if your school awards a 5-point “A” for AP or IB classes, it is permissible to include the “bonus point/s” in the calculation. The words must have maintained a “B” average or higher(section 3.b. in the by-laws) mean that when all subjects other than French are averaged, the average must reach or exceed the lowest “B minus“ in the school’s grading system, both for the semester prior to induction and for the three semesters of high school work prior to invitation. There is nothing in the national document which disallows a grade of “C” or lower—unless it pulls a student’s average below those listed above. Course work includes all work transferred to the high school transcript for academic credit, whether from middle school/junior high years or from post-secondary work. If your school provides an interim grade for the block semester (roughly equivalent to a semester grade for a year-long course), use the two grades for French I plus the interim grade for French II to determine eligibility—while the French II block is still in progress. Advanced students would be eligible based on final grades (or interim, if available) for previous courses. Suggestions for your local by-laws: State the way/s the minimum average (“A minus“) in French will be determined. State the method/s for determining the minimum average (“B minus“) in all other courses. Include a statement about continuing membership both from an academic, participation and honor code standpoint (even though older copies of national by-laws do not mention the latter). Lastly, the national officers accept the sponsor’s decision on student eligibility.