Download and fill out this pass to bring a guest to a De La Salle Institute dance.
Ambassador Club
The Ambassador Club is a public relations club which helps students learn and discover the overall aspects of leadership, while promoting De La Salle Institute to prospective students and families throughout a variety of activities. Students will learn to engage others through acts of volunteerism.
Art Club
The Art Club is an after school club that provides materials, instruction and support for those students who are seeking a creative outlet, to develop an appreciation for fine arts, and learn about the world of art and artists and use them in creative expression. The club goals are to encourage an interest in art, promote creativity, and give the students a forum for display of their work.
Book Club
The Book Club is to help students who enjoy or would like to develop a joy in reading. It is student driven in that students select the material we read each month. We are pretty versatile in that we love all genres. After reading each book, we get together on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 AM in the Media Center. Come join us!
Boxing Club
The Boxing Club is for students looking for a competitive environment of sportsmanship. It teaches the boys and girls proper boxing technique, self-defense, and self-discipline. It also promotes a healthy exercise program while learning the basics of the sport of boxing. The club has leadership opportunities for boxers who compete for position of team captain. Captains are in charge of their individual group comprised of about ten members. Students must retain good academic standing and have an outstanding discipline report. Boxing club hosts De La Salle Fight Night every April.
Chess Team
The Chess Team conducts regular practices 3 times a week. It is estimated that there are more than 30 million children who play chess in America. This number is growing rapidly. A recent survey shows that there are more children playing chess than playing major sports such as baseball, football, basketball, or hockey. It is believed there have been more books written about the game of chess than any other game.
Chess is a wonderful game that can help young people:
Develop mental discipline.
Develop analytical skills.
Develop strategic thinking skills.
Do better in school.
And much, much, more…
At De La Salle, the Chess team fosters individual student development in the skills of playing winning chess in a competitive and sportsmanlike manner. We also work together to develop leadership and teamwork skills, breeding success, establishing genuine friendship, and working towards an environment that is often plain fun.
The Chess Team follows IHSA guidelines for Activities, including Academic Eligibility. We participate in many Illinois Chess Coaches Association tournaments, and are an active member in the Chicago Chess Conference. We encourage individuals to become members in the United States Chess Federation, and occasionally participate in a national tournament event.
The team meets on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and competes in meets during the regular season on Tuesdays and various tournaments on Saturdays. De La Salle hosts a Chicago Chess Foundation scholastic (K-8) tournament.
Choir Club
The Choir Club is established for students to meet as a group in order to learn, practice, master, and – eventually – perform, student-engaging music. Students in the Choir Club will perform in front of the student body for all in-school liturgy services and for the De La Salle Institute Band assemblies.
Creative Writing Club
The Creative Writing Club is a club in which students learn to express themselves creatively through different styles of writing as well as the spoken word. Fun activities, independent work, and collaboration are all part of the club where students get to unleash their inner artist. The Creative Writing Club is designed to foster student creativity. Despite the name of the club, any form of creative expression (drawing, painting, photography, slam poetry etc.) is welcomed. Students have time and space to create, and they have the option to share their work to a supportive audience of peers who can provide constructive feedback and support.
Fashion Club
The Fashion Club is for anyone interested in fashion, whether as a hobby, a future career, or anyone looking for fashion ideas & advice. This club incorporates activities related to clothing design, DIY projects, accessories, makeup, hair styling, nails, fashion magazines/advertising, etc. Students will also develop new ideas for De La Salle attire to be sold in the bookstore.
French Club
The French Club is for students who are interested in promoting French language and culture through games, guest speakers, monthly movie viewings of French films, field trips to locations and events in Chicago that have a French focus, and celebrations of French holidays. In collaboration with the DLS French Honor Society, French Club members help to plan and organize National French Week each year at our school.
This is a great way to meet new friends at DLS and gain leadership experience while learning about a new language and culture. Regular attendance and participation is expected for all members.
French National Honor Society
A national organization whose intent is to recognize high school students at De La Salle Institute who have a serious personal and academic interest in French language and Culture. These are students currently enrolled in a French class and who have maintained excellent grades in all academic subjects, especially French. Students are eligible to apply for selection to this language honor society after having completed at least three semesters of French language courses. Application and new inductions for the French National Honor Society take place each Spring.
Gaming Club
The club meets from November until the end of February after school on Fridays at the Institute Campus from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. The club will review games on personal opinion. If enough participants have played a particular game, it will receive a “club rating”. If anyone is looking for a new game, they can consult the records (the rating will be recorded) to see if they might choose one from there. Discussions and reviews are the main parts of the indoor sessions of the club.
The same will be done for consoles and the like, taking into account the power, speed, and available games of the system to give it an accurate club rating. Online games, like MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer On-Line Role Playing Games) will also be rated, taking into account various aspects of MMORPGs with online capabilities will also be rated. Video game related resources, like magazines and various websites will be discussed. Not just video games, but outdoor games too will be discussed; potential activities in this field include paintball and laser tag. Gadgets like MP3 Players, iPods, Cell Phones, and the like will also be discussed. However, the item in discussion will only be discussed, and not actively used. Computers will also be discussed and rated here, laptops and desktops alike. Power, speed, and components of the system are investigated and discussed to accurately rate the hardware. Software, such as Microsoft Office, will also have a place in the club. If enough systems/games are donated, donated systems will be open for play by members. This section of the club is optional.
Leadership opportunities include: Group Leader, Committee Chair Person and Secretary. The club will sponsor various presentations throughout the school year and school wide tournaments throughout the school year. We also provide school wide technology assistance for students as well as faculty. The club meets from November until the end of February after school Fridays on the Institute Campus from 3:30-4:30.
Girls Who Code
A club for students to present and construct ways of building technology through the resources provided by Big Shoulders in hopes that it fosters a lifelong interest in the education and physical creation of technology for young female students.
Hockey
Investment Club
Investment Club is a club designed to help students with an introduction to investment and to the stock market. The club will do stock analysis: looking at annual reports, income statements, balance sheets, and earnings. In the fall the club will have investment portfolios competitions. Rules for the competition are: trading begins on a determined date and ends of a predetermined date. Investment cash amount is $20,000; adjustments to portfolio occur once a week, on Mondays only; Portfolio needs to have more than one company; 90% of cash is invested in the Portfolio. There will then be an Investment Portfolio Presentation. In the spring semester topics covered will include Technical Analysis, Advanced Topics, Fixed Income (Bonds), Mutual Funds, Macroeconomic Policy (US monetary policy, Federal Reserve)
Journalism Club
For students interested in developing and contributing to the school newspaper through acts of feature and news stories, podcasts, photojournalism, and more. Helps students learn and enhance journalism skills, photography techniques, layout design, graphic art, and the overall concept of producing a quality publication. Leadership opportunities for club members are copy editor, writer, photo specialist, and graphic design.
Lasallian Youth
Description: LASALLIAN YOUTH is a worldwide movement of young people in Lasallian schools and has been positively impacting the world for over 30 years. Lasallian Youth students are seeking an understanding of themselves and the world. Lasallian Youth builds a community of concern and friendship among themselves and others through regular meetings, service, and social activities. Faith, Service, and Community – Lasallian core principles, are the main focus of Lasallian Youth.
1. FAITH
Gather with your peers to share your faith in unique ways
2. SERVICE
Work with each other to provide
service for those in need – including soup kitchens, the elderly, and young children. Join an immersion trip and learn about a new culture.
3. COMMUNITY
Meet students of all ages from De La Salle, the other Chicagoland Lasallian schools, the other Midwest District Lasallian schools, and possibly even Lasallian schools from around the country/world!
4. JUSTICE
Learn about injustice in the world and how you can work to promote peace
Mock Trial Club
The Mock Trial program is sponsored by the Illinois High School Association and involves DLS students competing against other high schools by participating in a simulated jury trial. DLS students play the roles of attorneys and present opening statements, conduct the direct and cross examination of witnesses, and make closing arguments. In addition, students learn and play the role of the various witnesses including experts. The IHSA releases the case on November 1, and the case includes affidavits, exhibits, records and other materials with which DLS’ attorneys and witnesses must become intimately familiar. The DLS Mock Trial team will compete in several different competitions including the IHSA State Championship in Champaign, Illinois.
Model United Nations Club
The Model United Nations Club is a real-time replica and reproduction of the actual United Nations in which members participate in international politics, economics, and peace keeping diplomacy. Students will understand the machinations and procedures of the United Nations, participate in the position paper and resolution writing process that is essential to the success of the United Nations, and engage in on-going public and private debate while role-playing as diplomats of different nations.
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. Induction in the National Honor Society is one of the highest honors given to a student by the faculty of De La Salle Institute.
The following are taken into consideration when deciding student induction:
Students must be in their Junior or Senior year.
Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Prolonged involvement in co-curricular activities in-school and out-of-school.
Leadership positions held in school, community, or work activities in which the student is/was directly responsible for directing or motivating others; for example, elected student body, class, or club officer, committee chairperson, team captain, newspaper editor, work area manager; or community leader.
Community activities in which the student has participated and noting major accomplishment for each activity-these should be any activities outside school in which the student participated for the betterment of the community; for example, church groups, clubs sponsored outside the school, Boy or Girl Scouts, volunteer groups, or community art endeavors.
Job experience honors or recognitions that the student has received which support his/her bid to be selected for membership in the National Honor Society. Work experience may be paid or voluntary.
Each student who submits the form for candidacy is evaluated by faculty members who know the students based on “Character” and “Leadership” as described below
Leadership
The leadership criterion is considered highly important for membership selection. The student who exercises leadership:
- Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and suggestions.
- Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities.
- Exercises positive influence on peers.
- Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school.
- Is able to delegate responsibilities.
- Exemplifies positive attitudes.
- Demonstrates academic initiative.
- Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility; conducts business effectively and efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability.
- Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities.
- Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.
- Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude.
Character
In terms of character, consider the positive as well as the negative. All judgments in this and other selection criteria should be free of speculation and rumor. A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship. In addition, students of character can also be said to:
- Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
- Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability).
- Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
- Demonstrates the highest standards of honestly and reliability.
- Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others.
- Has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies.
Students who have been admitted to the National Honor Society are an exemplary model for student body and encapsulate the above descriptions.
R.E.A.C.H. Club
R.E.A.C.H. is a club that stands for Respecting Ethnic and Cultural Heritages. This club works to celebrate and raise awareness on the different beliefs, customs, and traditions of all races, religions, ethnicities and cultures. We strive to represent the beliefs & traditions of not only the students at De La Salle, but of the people all over the world. REACH Club also sponsors the Black Student Union (BSU), the Hispanic/Latinx student Union (HLSU) and the LGBTQIA Student Union. The student unions were designed to give students an outlet to discuss their individual group’s issues, as well as try to establish a more inclusive community at our school.
S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions)
S.A.D.D. is a nationally recognized organization that has chapters throughout the United States. The mission of the De La Salle chapter of S.A.D.D. focuses on educating students to make positive decisions when facing tough choices and confront the risks and pressures that challenge them throughout their daily lives. We accomplish this at De La Salle by creating, equipping, and sustaining focus on peer-to-peer education.
Spanish Club (Club Espanol)
The goal of the Spanish Club is to celebrate Hispanic Language and Culture outside the classroom through a variety of activities. The activities would be of a social and educational nature. Spanish club is open to anyone who is interested in Hispanic Language and Culture. Regular attendance and participation is expected. Leadership opportunities are available for elected officers who run the meetings and set the agendas.
Spanish National Honor Society
An academic honor society focused on Spanish language excellence in secondary education and promotes continuity of interests in Spanish studies.
STEM Club: 3D Printing, Drones, Robotics
Students will discover and learn the advantages, fundamentals, and parameters of 3D Printing; while discussing the social, environmental, and economic impact of personal fabrication in support of the Robotics and Drone Clubs. Students will also learn the open source print software, explore the hardware of the 3D printer, create original 3D designs, examine and identify the advantages and disadvantages of other 3D designs, and support/interface with class projects.
The Drones are for students who are interested in the mechanical features of building and flying drones. The Drones and Robotics work in partnership to compete in competitions with other schools and programs.
Robotics explores the possibilities of robotic engineering, manufacturing, and coding by competing in several local robotics events throughout the year, as well as promoting the interest of robotics within and around the De La Salle community. This club is open to any student demonstrating interest. There are many scholarship opportunities, and students will have an impressive extracurricular activity on their resumes.
The City of De La Salle
The City of De La Salle is the single most important activity in which a student may participate, and is the principal means of voicing student opinion. It also sponsors all major social student activities. Every May elections are held to elect officers to represent the student body. Two mayors and four executive officers make up the executive board. Executive board members must be Upperclassmen. Also, three aldermen are elected from each class to represent their classmates. Finally, there are a few appointed positions available to candidates who run for office but are not elected. They are called commissioners.
The Main objectives of the City of De La Salle are:
To promote channels for student participation in the decision making process
To coordinate student activities.
To promote and develop school spirit, high morale, & pride in the school among students
To promote openness in student-faculty-administration relationships.
To develop student leadership skills.
To encourage participation of all students in some student activity, either through active participation or as a spectator.
To help the students attain their maximum educational growth.
To promote the general welfare of the school and to contribute to its effectiveness by using the means available to them.
To assist in perpetuating the customs and traditions of De La Salle Institute.
All students and faculty members are encouraged to attend the City Council Meetings; students may participate in discussions and serve on City Committees.
Members of the City of De La Salle must be free from any academic and disciplinary action by the school. Students who are currently involved in either type of action may not be eligible to run for council. Permission to run for any particular office is also subject to approval after your application and interview.
Women in STEM
Women in STEM is a nationwide initiative developed in partnership with other high schools, founded by the University of Chicago Laboratory High School, to stimulate high school girls’ interest in an increasingly important field of academics, STEM.
