NHS members are carefully chosen using a list of criteria including the following:

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1. Scholarship

• Minimum grade point average of 3.4 or 85 on a 100 point scale.

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2. Service

• Volunteers and provides dependable and well organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance

• Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities

• Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school

• Participates in some activity outside of school

• Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.

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3. Leadership (includes being proactive, seeing the big picture, being organized, and is well-spoken)

• Is resourceful in proposing new solutions to problems, applying principles, and making suggestions

• Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities

• Exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals

• Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school

• Is able to delegate responsibilities

• Exemplifies positive attitudes

• Inspires positive behavior in others

• Demonstrates academic initiative

• Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities

• Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted

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4. Character (a person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship)

• Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously

• Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)

• Upholds principles of morality and ethics

• Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.

• Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability

• Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others

• Observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside the classroom environment

• Actively helps rid the school of bad influences

• Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoids cheating in written work, and shows an unwillingness to profit from the mistakes of others.

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In addition: Attendance in the school for the equivalent of one semester. This period is necessary for students to establish themselves and for the faculty to get to know them. Membership is open to qualified juniors and seniors.

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What do we consider when selecting applicants?​

• All online documents need to be completed and turned in on time by the applicants

• Five teacher recommendations must have been requested and received

• Faculty Council reviews list of names and has to approve the selection

• Overlooking of disciplinary records must show no referrals or detention (including for tardies)

• New member online packet must be turned in on time and completed

 

What If I am not accepted?

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Make an appointment to talk to a sponsor. Chapters are not legally or constitutionally obligated to share with parents and students information concerning specific students not selected for membership in the Society. However, the sponsor may be able to provide insight that will help the student for reapplication the following year.

 

Students have the right to appeal a decision to the faculty council. The request for appeal must be within 7 days of receipt of the letter and must be sent as an email to a sponsor. See demerit and dismissal process and policies under the policy folder.

 

 

Selection to NHS is a privilege, not a right. Students do not apply for membership in the National Honor Society; instead, they provide information to be used by the local selection committee to support their candidacy for membership. This is not an election, nor is membership automatically conveyed simply because a student has achieved a specified level of academic performance (Constitution of National Honor Society, revised 1997).