California Junior Scholarship Federation
Important Dates:
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CJSF Semester 1 Membership Drive runs from Monday, August 24 at 8:30am through Thursday, September 10 at 9:00 pm. No late applications will be accepted.
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CJSF Semester 2 Membership Drive runs from Tuesday, January 12 at 8:30 am through Tuesday, January 26, 2026 at 9:00 pm. No late applications will be accepted.
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Click HERE for the 2026-2027 Semester 1 application link (8th graders only). The link opens on Monday, August 24 at 8:30 a.m. and closes on Thursday, September 10 at 9:00pm.
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Semester 1 Due Dates:
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Wednesday, December 9 - Semester 1 Volunteer Log is due.
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Wednesday, December 9 - last day to submit Semester 1 dues; $5 dues are paid each semester.
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Click HERE for the 2026-2027 Semester 2 application link (7th & 8th graders). The link opens on Tuesday, January 12 at 8:30 a.m. and closes on Tuesday, January 26 at 9:00pm.
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Semester 2 Due Dates:
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Wednesday, May 19 - Semester 2 Volunteer Log is due.
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Wednesday, May 19 - last day to submit Semester 2 dues; $5 dues are paid each semester.
WHAT IS CJSF?
CJSF stands for California Junior Scholarship Federation. It is the Middle School's version of the High School's CSF (California Scholarship Federation).
CJSF is a statewide organization founded for the purpose of fostering high standards of scholarship, service, and citizenship in the middle grades. CJSF emphasizes service to the community while creating pride in scholastic achievement. Click here to view the CJSF/CSF State Website.
Who is eligible for membership?
8th grade students apply in August /September and then again in January of their 8th grade year.
7th-grade students are eligible to apply in January of their 7th-grade year after the grades from the previous fall semester are posted in Infinite Campus.
6th graders are not eligible to apply.
*Good citizenship is a requirement for participation.
*Students must reapply each semester.
When does CJSF meet?
CJSF typically meets during Student Support time approximately once a month from September through May. Meeting dates and times will post on the IHMS CJSF Google Classroom page. You will be invited to join our CJSF Google Classroom once you become a member. Please try your best to attend as many meetings as possible.
What are the academic requirements for CJSF?
To qualify for membership each semester, follow these guidelines:
- 1. The courses that qualify for membership are Math, Science, English, History/Social Studies.
- 2. No points are earned for PE, a remedial or repeated course, summer school, or electives like Advanced Tech, Band, or Leadership.
- 3. CJSF points are granted as follows:
A = 3 points
B = 1 point
C = 0 points
D/F = will disqualify membership if received in ANY class.
- 4. You must earn TWICE the number of points than courses that meet the requirements.
Example: 4 qualifying courses x 2 = 8, so 8 points are required for the semester. If you meet this requirement, you are eligible for CJSF membership for that semester only. Reminder: all members must reapply EACH semester to maintain membership.
CJSF VOLUNTEER HOURS REQUIREMENT
In addition to the grade requirements above, students are required to complete 5 hours of volunteer service per semester to obtain all benefits of CJSF membership. Tutoring, coaching, volunteer work at school and within the community can all be counted - any service that is not compensated and helps others. Work can be done at home or at another location. You cannot include any activities that are required as part of a class or as part of Leadership. Be creative, help people & have fun!! The goal is for members to balance their high academic achievement with public or school service.
Volunteer ideas:
- East Bay SPCA - there is a cost to this one
- Food Bank of Contra Costa County
- Crayon Initiative
- Fundraising events at elementary, middle and high school. Go to that school's website. (ie: Twin Creeks Elementary)
- Make cookies for the fire dept, police department, hospital (call them first to make sure they can accept donations of food)
- Peer Tutoring - check our CJSF Google classroom for peer tutoring opportunities.
Unfortunately, CJSF or IHMS cannot reimburse you for any supplies or costs related to volunteering, so please make sure you are aware of any upfront costs before you volunteer. Other than the animal shelters, there is rarely a cost associated with volunteering.
CJSF Membership Dues:
- CJSF asks for membership dues. It’s $5 per semester. You can pay at one of our meetings or you can drop it off in the IHMS office. Please ask for the dues to be placed in Mrs. Bassett’s box.
- The $5 membership fee (per semester) pays for IHMS's CJSF Annual State Membership fees, gold seals for promotion certificates, CJSF Honor Member pins, and club supplies. Checks should be made payable to Iron Horse Middle School with CJSF written on the Memo line.
What are the benefits of CJSF membership?
CJSF Semester Members can attend all semester meetings.
CJSF Honor Members: Students who qualify for CJSF for ALL 3 semesters during 7th & 8th grade will be promoted "With Honors" at 8th grade promotion. All CJSF Honor Members receive a CJSF gold pin that they can wear to Promotion, a gold seal on their Promotion Certificate, an asterisk (*) next to their name in the Promotion Program, will have their school records marked with CJSF, and they will be accepted as an Associate Member in CSF (the high school California Scholarship Federation) during the start of their Freshman year and are able to attend CSF meetings instead of having to wait until 2nd semester Freshman year.
When do students apply?
8TH GRADERS: Your Fall membership application is due in September and is based on your previous Spring semester grades.
No late applications can be accepted. Don't forget to apply again in January for the SPRING SEMESTER of your 8th grade year using your Fall grades.
7TH GRADERS: The first time that you can apply for CJSF membership is in your 7th grade year after your FALL SEMESTER grades have been posted in Infinite Campus in January. Then apply again in Sept of your 8th grade year and a 3rd time in January of your 8th grade year.
6TH GRADERS are not eligible for CJSF.
HOW DO I APPLY?
- Wait for previous semester grades to post in Infinite Campus.
- If you meet the grade requirements, please use the Google form application link. This is the only form you will need to submit for this application cycle.
- Fill out the CJSF APPLICATION, using YOUR school e-mail (see link at the top of this page). Personal e-mails will NOT work. Submit the application ONLINE ONLY with a PDF of your previous semester grades (see below for instructions). No printed grade reports will be accepted - they must be added to your CJSF Google Form application.
- You cannot apply for any semesters that you missed application due dates in the past.
You are automatically a semester member if you meet the requirements AND submit an application.
* YOU MUST REAPPLY EVERY SEMESTER! *
If you have questions, please have your student email the CJSF Coordinator, Mrs. Bassett at jbassett@srvusd.net
How to Access Semester Grades off INFINITE CAMPUS:
(Semester 2 Grades) -For CJSF Fall Semester Application
- 1. Log onto the San Ramon Valley Unified School District website and scroll down to the Infinite Campus Portal Login box (left side of the page). (http://www.srvusd.net)
- 2. Click on the Infinite Campus Portal Login tab.
- 3. Log in.
- 4. Click on “Select A Student” tab and select your student.
5. Click on "Documents" tab (located on the left side of the screen).
6. Click on "Portal Transcript”. This page displays the student report card for this semester. (CJSF FALL SEMESTER APPLICATION requires the SEMESTER 2- 7th Grade Report).
- 7. Take a photo of this page and upload to the online membership application.
