Extracurricular Academic Enrichment

National Junior Honor Society

• National Junior Honor Society is a co-curricular opportunity that recognizes middle school students who demonstrate outstanding performance in each of the following areas: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. This program provides the school an opportunity to recognize the academic, service, and leadership characteristics of students and, more importantly, engage participants in further leadership and service experiences aimed at nurturing and, in some cases, enhancing the spiritual, academic, and social goals of the school.

CLEAR and Senior DECATS

• CLEAR is sponsored through the DeBusk Enrichment Center for the Academically Talented Student at St. Rita. This three-week summer program takes place in June. It targets students in grades 3-5 who are identified as the top 5% academically. Students are nominated in the fall by Saint Paul staff based on IOWA results. The determination of admission to the program is made by CLEAR.
• Senior DECATS is a summer program targeting students in grades 6-8 who are identified as in the top 5% academically. This three-week summer program takes place in June. Students are nominated in the fall by their Saint Paul teachers based on IOWA scores as well as achievement in art, drama, or music. The determination of admission to the program is made by DECATS.

Academic Competitions

• PSIA - Private School Interscholastic League

Each year, over 150 private, parochial, and home schools in grades 1 through 8 compete in academic contests across Texas. These contests motivate students to:

• find new excitement in learning,
• achieve a higher mastery level,
• receive recognition and awards for academic excellence

Contests are designed to support basic curricula. Through an interest survey and teacher nominations, students participate in various contests. Please visit the PSIA page for more information and contest specifics. 
 

• Spelling Bee

In November, each homeroom or English class (Grades 4-8) will conduct a classroom spelling bee. Two winners from Grades 4-8 which is a total of 10 students will compete in the school-wide spelling bee in mid-December. The winner of the school spelling bee will represent Saint Paul Catholic Classical School in the Diocesan Spelling Bee in January. The alternate will also attend as a spectator as well as receive the study guide. The spelling bee coordinator will administer rules, study lists, and a suggested word list for in-class bees. The coordinator will also provide the winner with the necessary lists to study for the Diocesan bee.  

•  Religion Scholars Bowl

Reverend Thomas Cloherty Religion Scholars Bowl
One student from each grade level (5th-8th) is nominated annually to participate on the Saint Paul Religion Bowl team. These students are well-versed in the Bible and Catholic teachings. Teams compete against other Catholic schools in the diocese.

• TriCore Foundation Academic Competitions

The Tri-Core Foundation sponsors a series of academic competitions. Schools are invited through invitation only and contests are open to 6th-8th grades. Students are eligible to win cash prizes.

• Poetry 
• Art (Painting, Sculpture, Drawing)
• Math (A series of 3 exams during the year for total score)
• Trivia (Individual and team competitions)