High school fraternities and sororities
Encyclopedia
Fraternities and sororities
exist for high school
students as well as college students. Like their college counterparts, most have Greek letter names. Although there were countless local high school fraternities and sororities with only one or two chapters, many secondary fraternities founded in the nineteenth and twentieth century in the United States
grew into national organizations with a highly evolved governing structure and regularly chartered chapters in multiple regions. Many of the local chapters of these national fraternities were not tied to (or affiliated with) individual high schools
but were instead area based, often drawing membership from multiple high schools
in a given area.
High school fraternities and sororities were inspired by and modeled after Greek-letter organizations which became prevalent in North America
n colleges and universities during the nineteenth century (Owen 492). In some respects these fraternities and sororities are designed to better prepare individuals for college level fraternities. The first known high school fraternity was Torch and Dagger in Council Bluffs, Iowa, founded in 1859. This organization existed with lapses from 1861 to 1866 and again from 1880 to 1893. In 1900 it was renamed Omega Eta Tau and began expanding nationally. Gamma Sigma was organized in October 1869 at Brockport Normal School (then a high school level institution, but now a college). Alpha Zeta came into existence at the Union Classical Institute in Schenectady, New York (associated with Union College, home of the college fraternity movement) on December 8, 1869, Alpha Phi followed one year later at the Colgate Academy (connected with Colgate University) and Pi Phi was founded in 1878 at Rochester Free Academy (associated with University of Rochester). Pi Phi spread to more than 110 chapters before lapsing into only alumni chapters in the 1980's. Most of the American secondary fraternities that were successful in the twentieth century had national governing bodies, produced regular publications and convened in regular (often annual) national conventions. They also each possessed a secret ritual and handshake and a Greek-letter name which, like college fraternities
was usually derived from the abbreviation of a secret Greek motto. These groups were identified by a coat-of-arms and members wore distinctive fraternity badges or pins.
A pledge is any eligible male or female of high school age (or frequently, about to enter high school) who has determined that he or she would like to join the fraternity or sorority and has been approved by the chapter. To be eligible he or she must be of age. First, the person needs to contact a brother or sister, be contacted by a brother or sister, or come to a meeting for those interested in joining the fraternity or sorority. The pledging phase is designed to prepare the individual to be a completely active and equal member of the chapter from the induction day. During the pledge period, most fraternities and sororities now emphasize a no hazing policy. Pledges may be allowed to attend meetings and participate in fraternity-wide events and may also organize their own. Before induction, pledges must complete certain tasks which include planning and executing certain events.
Some of the more important high school fraternities have included, Alpha Nu Theta, Alpha Omega Theta
(AΩΘ)http://www.FraternalBrotherhood.com/, Alpha Phi (ΑΦ), Alpha Sigma Phi (ΑΣΦ), Alpha Zeta (AZ), Delta Sigma (ΔΣ), Gamma Delta Psi (ΓΔΨ), Alpha Chi (AX), Gamma Alpha Nu (ΓAN), Gamma Eta Kappa (ΓΗΚ), Omega Gamma Delta (ΩΓΔ), Omicron Kappa Pi (ΟΚΠ), Phi Kappa
(ΦΚ), Phi Lambda Epsilon http://www.philambdaepsilon.com/ (ΦΛΕ), Phi Sigma Chi (ΦΣΧ), Phi Sigma Epsilon (ΦΣΕ), Pi Phi (ΠΦ), Sigma Phi Omega Fraternity (ΣΦΩ) and Theta Kappa Omega (ΘΚΩ). Pi Phi National Fraternity was founded in 1878 by members of the Academy Debate Club. Delta Sigma
was founded at Lewis Institute in Chicago, in September 1897, as an athletic society fostering clean athletics, loyalty and high ideas. Delta Sigma was arguably the first secondary fraternity to accept members of the Jewish and Catholic faiths.
Sigma Alpha Rho (SAR)
(ΣAP), Tau Epsilon Chi (TEX), Alpha Mu Tau (AMT), Alpha Chi (AX), and Beta Delta Tau (BΔT), are secondary fraternities and sororities respectively that are still active and successful today. SAR
was founded in 1917 in West Philadelphia
, Pennsylvania
, while Tau Epsilon Chi (TEX) was founded in Atlantic City, New Jersey
in 1921.
Alpha Mu Tau (AMT) was founded in 2000 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
, Alpha Chi (AX) was founded in Memphis, Tennessee
in 1999 and Beta Delta Tau (BΔT) was founded in 2004 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
.
These organizations still provide valuable learning and life experiences today unlike many others which have died in recent decades. All allow their members to plan, execute, and attend any events that they wish and bring the entire organization together with monthly events. The presumed newest fraternity, Alpha Delta Sigma (αδε), was established in Atlanta Georgia in 2011, and is affiliated with Riverwood High School
or Riverwood International Charter School.
In the Detroit, Michigan area, Gamma Psi Nu Musical Fraternity (established in 1992) and Nu Gamma Delta Music Sorority (established in 1994) are both still very active. Both organizations boast an impressive number of chapters, and a lengthy roster of members.
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
exist for high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
students as well as college students. Like their college counterparts, most have Greek letter names. Although there were countless local high school fraternities and sororities with only one or two chapters, many secondary fraternities founded in the nineteenth and twentieth century in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
grew into national organizations with a highly evolved governing structure and regularly chartered chapters in multiple regions. Many of the local chapters of these national fraternities were not tied to (or affiliated with) individual high schools
Secondary education in the United States
In most jurisdictions, secondary education in the United States refers to the last six or seven years of statutory formal education. Secondary education is generally split between junior high school or middle school, usually beginning with sixth or seventh grade , and high school, beginning with...
but were instead area based, often drawing membership from multiple high schools
Secondary education in the United States
In most jurisdictions, secondary education in the United States refers to the last six or seven years of statutory formal education. Secondary education is generally split between junior high school or middle school, usually beginning with sixth or seventh grade , and high school, beginning with...
in a given area.
High school fraternities and sororities were inspired by and modeled after Greek-letter organizations which became prevalent in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n colleges and universities during the nineteenth century (Owen 492). In some respects these fraternities and sororities are designed to better prepare individuals for college level fraternities. The first known high school fraternity was Torch and Dagger in Council Bluffs, Iowa, founded in 1859. This organization existed with lapses from 1861 to 1866 and again from 1880 to 1893. In 1900 it was renamed Omega Eta Tau and began expanding nationally. Gamma Sigma was organized in October 1869 at Brockport Normal School (then a high school level institution, but now a college). Alpha Zeta came into existence at the Union Classical Institute in Schenectady, New York (associated with Union College, home of the college fraternity movement) on December 8, 1869, Alpha Phi followed one year later at the Colgate Academy (connected with Colgate University) and Pi Phi was founded in 1878 at Rochester Free Academy (associated with University of Rochester). Pi Phi spread to more than 110 chapters before lapsing into only alumni chapters in the 1980's. Most of the American secondary fraternities that were successful in the twentieth century had national governing bodies, produced regular publications and convened in regular (often annual) national conventions. They also each possessed a secret ritual and handshake and a Greek-letter name which, like college fraternities
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
was usually derived from the abbreviation of a secret Greek motto. These groups were identified by a coat-of-arms and members wore distinctive fraternity badges or pins.
A pledge is any eligible male or female of high school age (or frequently, about to enter high school) who has determined that he or she would like to join the fraternity or sorority and has been approved by the chapter. To be eligible he or she must be of age. First, the person needs to contact a brother or sister, be contacted by a brother or sister, or come to a meeting for those interested in joining the fraternity or sorority. The pledging phase is designed to prepare the individual to be a completely active and equal member of the chapter from the induction day. During the pledge period, most fraternities and sororities now emphasize a no hazing policy. Pledges may be allowed to attend meetings and participate in fraternity-wide events and may also organize their own. Before induction, pledges must complete certain tasks which include planning and executing certain events.
Some of the more important high school fraternities have included, Alpha Nu Theta, Alpha Omega Theta
Alpha Omega Theta
Alpha Omega Theta fraternity was founded on October 16, 1946, in Brooklyn New York by John Stefano, Ed Carroll, John Sposito and Jerry, whose last name no one remembers....
(AΩΘ)http://www.FraternalBrotherhood.com/, Alpha Phi (ΑΦ), Alpha Sigma Phi (ΑΣΦ), Alpha Zeta (AZ), Delta Sigma (ΔΣ), Gamma Delta Psi (ΓΔΨ), Alpha Chi (AX), Gamma Alpha Nu (ΓAN), Gamma Eta Kappa (ΓΗΚ), Omega Gamma Delta (ΩΓΔ), Omicron Kappa Pi (ΟΚΠ), Phi Kappa
Phi Kappa National Fraternity
Phi Kappa National Fraternity is a secondary school fraternity that was founded in 1900 at the Southern University Preparatory School in Greensboro, Alabama. Over the years, nearly fifty chapters of Phi Kappa have been chartered in cities across the Deep South, from Georgia to Texas, Arkansas to...
(ΦΚ), Phi Lambda Epsilon http://www.philambdaepsilon.com/ (ΦΛΕ), Phi Sigma Chi (ΦΣΧ), Phi Sigma Epsilon (ΦΣΕ), Pi Phi (ΠΦ), Sigma Phi Omega Fraternity (ΣΦΩ) and Theta Kappa Omega (ΘΚΩ). Pi Phi National Fraternity was founded in 1878 by members of the Academy Debate Club. Delta Sigma
Delta Sigma Fraternity
ΔΣ was a high school fraternity founded in 1897 at Lewis Institute in Chicago, Illinois.- History :Delta Sigma was founded at Lewis Institute in September 1897, as an athletic fraternity fostering clean athletics, loyalty and high ideas. Delta Sigma was arguably the first secondary fraternity to...
was founded at Lewis Institute in Chicago, in September 1897, as an athletic society fostering clean athletics, loyalty and high ideas. Delta Sigma was arguably the first secondary fraternity to accept members of the Jewish and Catholic faiths.
Sigma Alpha Rho (SAR)
Sigma Alpha Rho (SAR)
Sigma Alpha Rho is the oldest, continuously run, independent Jewish high school fraternity, founded on November 18, 1917 by 11 young men in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
(ΣAP), Tau Epsilon Chi (TEX), Alpha Mu Tau (AMT), Alpha Chi (AX), and Beta Delta Tau (BΔT), are secondary fraternities and sororities respectively that are still active and successful today. SAR
Sigma Alpha Rho (SAR)
Sigma Alpha Rho is the oldest, continuously run, independent Jewish high school fraternity, founded on November 18, 1917 by 11 young men in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
was founded in 1917 in West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia, nicknamed West Philly, is a section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Though there is no official definition of its boundaries, it is generally considered to reach from the western shore of the Schuylkill River, to City Line Avenue to the northwest, Cobbs Creek to the southwest, and...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, while Tau Epsilon Chi (TEX) was founded in Atlantic City, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
in 1921.
Alpha Mu Tau (AMT) was founded in 2000 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
, Alpha Chi (AX) was founded in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
in 1999 and Beta Delta Tau (BΔT) was founded in 2004 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
.
These organizations still provide valuable learning and life experiences today unlike many others which have died in recent decades. All allow their members to plan, execute, and attend any events that they wish and bring the entire organization together with monthly events. The presumed newest fraternity, Alpha Delta Sigma (αδε), was established in Atlanta Georgia in 2011, and is affiliated with Riverwood High School
Riverwood high school
Riverwood International Charter School is a charter school located in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Riverwood is one of Fulton County School's four Magnet sites, offering the International Studies and International Baccalaureate Programs...
or Riverwood International Charter School.
In the Detroit, Michigan area, Gamma Psi Nu Musical Fraternity (established in 1992) and Nu Gamma Delta Music Sorority (established in 1994) are both still very active. Both organizations boast an impressive number of chapters, and a lengthy roster of members.