The National Honor Society and the National Junior Honor Society
(grades 10-12) (grades 7-9)
NHS and NJHS are more than just an honor roll. The Honor Society chapter establishes rules for membership that are based upon a student's outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship. Members who resign or are dismissed are never again eligible for membership or its benefits.
Scholarship: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 90 (10th-12th) and 92 (7th-9th) meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
Service: This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit.
Leadership: Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.
Character: The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and generally maintains a good and clean lifestyle. They follow through on business, such as having few if any tardies and return excuse notes in a timely manner.
Citizenship: The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic involvement, has a high regard for freedom, justice, and democracy, and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, and school clubs.
Specific standards for these criteria may vary from one school to the next. Such variations are acceptable as long as they do not fall below the national standards set by the National Council of the NHS and NJHS.
Obligations of Membership
With induction into the Honor Society, a member assumes certain obligations as outlined by the local chapter. First and foremost, all Honor Society members are expected to maintain the standards that were used as the basis for their selection. In addition, the chapter must conduct 2 service projects for the school or community each year, and see to the development of an individual service project for each member.
These projects shall have the following characteristics: Fulfill a need within the school or community; Have the support of the administration and the faculty; be appropriate and educationally defensible; be well planned, organized, and executed. Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in an individual service project that reflects his or her particular talents and interests. This is in addition to the chapter projects to which all members contribute.
Also, They must attend meetings and participate in all honor society sponsored activities.
For more details visit the main website at: http://www.nhs.us/s_nhs/index.asp