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EDUCATION BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

At Althoff Catholic, we partner with our students and their families to build their academic, athletic, artistic, and altruistic abilities, so that when they leave our school and enter the next stage, they know who they are. Crusaders are modern-day change agents who are not only learning, but teaching the world how to live, work, play and pray.

Bass fishing team

Academic Clubs

The Althoff Catholic Math team is a place to show off your mathematical prowess. We compete four times a year at SWIC after school.  Each competition requires three freshmen, sophomore,  junior, and senior participants.  Every participant takes the same individual math test and competes against the other kids of their grade level.  Then they break up into three teams consisting of a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior to compete in a team test together.

The Model UN was founded to familiarize students with the inner workings of the United Nations. This organization strives to increase students' awareness of and concern for world events. Each year, McKendree University, in Lebanon, IL, hosts both a Fall and a Spring session for area schools involved with the program. Students from these schools participate as delegates to the U.N. from their respective countries.
Emphasis is placed on appropriate role playing of various delegate positions and following diplomatic/parliamentary procedures. Students are responsible for presenting prepared research on international events, especially as they would pertain to their delegation. Any Althoff Catholic student with an interest in world affairs, debate, or speech is encouraged to join.

The National Honor Society is the premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students.  This organization creates an enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulates a desire to render service, promotes leadership, and develops character.  Invitations for membership are presented to juniors at the beginning of the second semester for induction in the spring. Grade point average is the initial criteria for selection. Successful completion of the activities survey and review by the Academic Counsel is the final appraisal for membership.

Requirements
  • Unweighted GPA of 3.5
  • Co-curricular activities - include clubs, teams, musical groups, etc. and major accomplishments in each activity
  • Leadership positions - include elected or appointed positions in school, community or work in which you are directly involved in guiding others
  • Service activities - include group or individual activities and school or community functions
  • Other community activities - work, recognition, and awards in which you participated for the betterment of your community.

Saturday Scholars involves a series of four lectures/activities during February and March to give talented young people an opportunity to shape their futures. These lectures and activities help the students broaden their awareness in math, science, and technology areas.  Students are selected from the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes based on class standing and character.

Goals:
  • To expand knowledge in a variety of areas
  • To provide opportunities to exchange information with professionals
  • To demonstrate the value of education
  • To allow young people to meet other talented teens
  • To nurture interest in science, math and related careers
  • To serve as a stimulus for working toward academic potential

The Spanish Club promotes cultural awareness and appreciation of the Spanish-speaking world around us.  Students organize possible activities, such as a Spanish Fiestas, Spanish Movie Night, Dia de los Muertos bake sale, Spanish Game and Movie Night, Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration, Latin dance lessons, Spanish Music Video Night, a Spanish Mass, Lip Sync Battle to Spanish Songs, Spanish Tutors, and a Piñata Fiesta at the end of the year. 

Requirements:  
  • A desire to learn about and appreciate the culture and language
  • Attend at least one meeting a month
  • Help to encourage others to join
  • Be a positive role model to others
  • Be courteous and respectful to others
  • Participate in community service opportunities
  • Have taken or be taking a Spanish class at ACHS

Service & Leadership Clubs

The BASIC  Youth Board is a hands-on leadership and service organization that focuses on developing and supporting programs, collaborations, and communities that serve the greater Belleville area and Althoff Catholic High School.  We encourage students and citizens to build our community of service through many activities and collaborations with both Belleville East and Belleville West High Schools.

MISSION:

Basic promotes character through positive relationships and service to the community.

VISION:

By working together, emphasizing the need for good character, and practicing good character life skills, we will ensure that the Belleville area continues to be a healthy and prosperous community, is prepared for the challenges of the future, and is making the world a better place.

Initiative:
  • Supports and promotes existing community services
  • Facilitate community projects and programs
  • Builds partnerships with local schools, churches, agencies, and neighborhoods
  • Helps coordinate large-scale community volunteer events
  • Helps raise funds to address community needs
  • Youth Board development service projects; developing youth through hands-on service projects
  • Provide speakers and training to promote a community of character
Vision

To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.

The purpose of Fellowship of Christian Athletes is to bring together all athletes to talk about the Word of the Lord by relating it to topics that athletes all have in common.  It is a place where students interested in athletics can come together to share their faith and fellowship while enjoying some food.  This is a student lead and student-run group that meets multiple times throughout the quarter.  

Anyone and everyone are welcome to join and take part in the fun, faith-filled events!

Founded in 1997 and sponsored by the St. Clair County-West Rotary, the purpose of the ACHS Crusader Chapter of the Rotary Interact Club is to provide an opportunity for students to acquire leadership skills, improve local and larger communities through service projects and promote better relationships between all people through friendship and service.  Interact is looking for HARD WORKERS. We are a service organization with a lot to accomplish!

We make known the Love of Christ to people in need.

  • Dedication to Prayer
  • Mobile Soup Kitchen (SOUP BUS)
  • Hunger Awareness / Annual Food Drive
  • Christmas gifts for needy children
  • Regional St. Vincent de Paul “Walk for the Poor”
  • Spread awareness of poverty issues
  • Special crisis responses
  • Periodic meetings

The Student Ambassador Program is a dynamic team of leaders dedicated to serving the Althoff Catholic High School community by aiding in the recruitment process of new Althoff Catholic students. The goal of Student Ambassadors is to create a positive, lasting impression on prospective students and their families through hosting Crusader for a Day visits, leading tours during Open House, and guiding students during Placement Test and Freshman Registration.

The Student Council consists of ten representatives elected from each class who promote unity and leadership for the student body.  The senior, junior, and sophomores elect their representatives in May.  The Executive Board will consist of the four seniors who receive the most votes.  The freshman class elections are held in mid to late September.  Throughout the year, the Student Council is involved with the Kick-Off Event, blood drives, Senior Prom, Christmas Ball, other dances, and events surrounding Homecoming Week.  The Student Council is a great way to meet new people and be involved in many school activities.

St. Clair County Teen Court is a program for high school students who are chosen to serve as peer jurors .  Students are trained and then serve once a month as volunteer jurors for the teen court.  This is a program in St. Clair County that provides an alternative approach to juvenile justice for first-time, non- violent youth offenders ages 12-17 with no criminal background.  An applicant must be between the ages of 13 or in the ninth grade and 17 or in the twelfth grade.  They must live in St. Clair County.  Teen Court meets once each month.  Peer jury sessions are held on the first Saturday of each month.

Music, Arts, & Journalism Clubs

The mission of the Art Club is to support and propagate the idea that art is fundamental to all societies through the ages. It exists as a reflection and expression of artists to and within society.

This ensemble is the cornerstone of the vocal department at Althoff Catholic High School. Performing each week at St. Henry’s Mass, this ensemble performs traditional Catholic hymns to more contemporary christian music.

Any Althoff Catholic student who is interested in Drama/Theater/Speech/Show Choir can join the Performance Arts Club by auditioning for shows, attending meetings, or contacting club representatives. Continued membership involves maintaining passing grades in class-work, responsible student behavior, attendance and participation in required rehearsals, practices, and set construction, as well as the privilege to join International Thespian Troupe #5554. If you have a positive attitude and enjoy entertaining others, the Performance Arts Club may be the group for you!

The choir performs musical shows for area schools, civic groups, and parish clubs, and competes in established contests throughout the State.  The group has traveled to festivals in New York, Orlando, and the Smokey Mountains.  The main event each year is the Quincy Show Case of Excellence in March.  Membership requires an interest in performance, a desire to sing and dance or play an instrument.  There is also a need for a backstage crew, which includes costumes, set & prop design and construction, and a technical staff. 

The Speech Team competes in area speech contests as members of The Greater St. Louis Speech League and the Illinois High School Association Individual Events Program.  Any Althoff Catholic student may audition to participate. The purpose of the Greater St. Louis Speech Association (GSL) and the IHSA Speech Individual Events and PIR competition is to enable high school students to enjoy social, cultural, and intellectual development through competitive speech. The associations offer students from participating high schools the chance to compete in a variety of speech and debate events.  These include Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Radio Speaking, Duo Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Prose Reading, Poetry Reading, Storytelling, Student Congress, Policy Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and Public Forum Debate. 

The yearbook is an integral piece of any high school, providing a lifetime of memories as students graduate and become alumni.  The Yearbook Staff is responsible for the publication of a quality book that will definitely be utilized for years to come before any class reunion!  The staff is organized into four functional groups:  business, photography, layout and technology.  All positions require attention to detail and the ability to meet established deadlines. 

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Summer Camps!