Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Cleveland

For more than fifty years, the Cleveland Association of Phi Beta Kappa has recognized academic achievement among graduating seniors at public, private, and parochial high schools across Northeast Ohio. Each year, teachers at approximately 120 participating schools have the opportunity to select one student in their graduating class who is not the only in the top ten percent of the class but also “demonstrates qualities of academic honesty, inquiry into scholarship matters which goes beyond assignments and requirements, a creative involvement in scholarship, and great interest in things of the mind.” Emphasis is placed upon the selection of students who contribute to the “intellectual environment” of their community. Extracurricular activities, such as those having to do with science, mathematics, debating, and drama, are taken into account as well. This Award is considered by many to be one of the most prestigious honors a high school student can receive. Each student's name is engraved on the Phi Beta Kappa plaque that is permanently displayed at each school.

In addition, the Cleveland Association of Phi Beta Kappa annually awards a renewable four-year scholarship to one graduating senior from a local high school. Criteria used to select scholarship winners include high class rank (top 10% or better), involvement in extracurricular activities, demonstrated love of learning, plan to major in humanities, liberal arts, or arts and sciences, plan to attend a two- or four-year college on a full-time basis, and demonstrated financial need. Also, the Cleveland Association presents a second scholarship, sponsored by The Jones Day Foundation, to the winner of the annual Cleveland Association essay competition.