The St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy in Greenpoint is now home to a new chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).

Open to only students in the seventh and eighth grades, the honor society officially formed in February of this year and currently has 33 students in the program.

“We started thinking about it last year,” said teacher Kristin Lauro, who supervises the program. “And we thought the National Junior Honor Society would be a good fit.”

Like any other honor society, this one requires that students be in good academic standing and stand out as good leaders. It also looks for well-rounded students with at least an 85 average.

The honor society’s student president is chosen by teachers and peers. And the inaugural title goes to eighth-grader Matthew Palladino.

As a member of the NJHS, all students are required to complete service to both their school and community in groups and as individuals. Members must also make every effort to attend every one of the chapter’s meetings.

“This is good because it will motivate our students to work harder and make them stand out when they apply to high school,” Lauro said. “It shows them the benefits of keeping up their grades and participating, as opposed to sitting at the back of the class.”

The first members of the chapter were inducted in February.