Embedded Files
How to Be Considered for Membership in the National Honor Society
How to Be Considered for Membership in the National Honor Society
For many students, selection as a member of the National Honor Society is considered one of their highest achievements in high school. This honor, recognized throughout the nation, is both the public recognition of accomplishment and the private commitment to continued excellence on the part of the new member. Because of the importance placed upon this aspect of high school life, our chapter must follow and conform to our parent's organization national guidelines. Because of this, we've worked very hard to create a fair and consistent set of policies when considering students who wish to be candidates for membership. It is our chapter's goal to provide meaningful recognition to ALL deserving students who meet our chapter's scholarship, leadership, and character membership requirements.
Selection to NHS is a privilege bestowed upon students by the faculty of the school, and is not considered a right inherent to any student. Technically, students do not apply for membership in the National Honor Society. Instead, they await a request or invitation to provide information to be used by the faculty council to support their candidacy for membership. Membership is granted only to those students selected by the faculty council at our school on the condition of each student having met the standards our chapter has established at the local level but based on the provisions of the NHS National Constitution.
Only sophomores (10th graders) and juniors (11th graders) are eligible to submit their credentials for membership consideration.
Some information above is from the 20th Edition of the National Honor Society Handbook published by NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals).
Why are only sophomores and juniors considered for NHS membership? The Faculty Council, with the support of the Crestwood High School administration voted in 2012 to gradually phase out the opportunity for seniors to submit their credentials. It became increasingly evident that inducting seniors did not allow enough time for full participation in society affairs. Since most seniors are already transitioning from high school to college at this time, one or two months of membership simply did't make sense any longer. Beginning with the Class of 2014, our NHS Faculty Council voted that seniors were no longer able to seek membership in our NHS chapter.
Scholarship Requirements
Scholarship Requirements
When G.P.A.s are being considered - each student's weighted cumulative G.P.A. are rounded by MiStar to four (4) places to the right of the decimal. Our NHS chapter does NOT round to calculate a student's cumulative G.P.A. Students are not eligible to receive information packets and be considered membership until after the 1st Semester of their 10th grade (sophomore) year. 9th Grade students (freshmen) are not eligible for membership. Because of the return to semesters, and changing high school graduation requirements - the following scholarship scholarship guidelines have been adopted by our chapter's faculty council.
Leadership and Service Requirements
Leadership and Service Requirements
How does the adviser and NHS Faculty Council monitor leadership? Students provide evidence of leadership when they complete their "Information Packet".
According to the National Honor Society, a student exercises "leadership" when he or she:
Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions.
Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities.
Exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals and spirit.
Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school.
Is able to delegate responsibilities.
Inspires positive behavior in others.
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, or in other school or community activities.
Is dependable in any responsibility accepted.
Special note for freshmen (9th graders) - If you are interested in pursuing membership in the National Honor Society but are unsure as to whether or not you will be able to accrue sufficient points for consideration by the end of your first semester as a sophomore, you can contact the chapter advisers as a freshman. The adviser, in close coordination with chapter officers, will make you aware of service opportunities that are available through NHS that you may be interested in participating in. Volunteer activities are only available to freshmen when we haven't filled them with current NHS members. Although service as a freshman is not required, this gives freshmen the opportunity to confirm if involvement in NHS is something they wish to pursue.
All NHS candidates must submit a completed information packet that provides documented evidence of school/community service and leadership. The list to the left can be used as a general guide for determining potential eligibility. For clubs and sports, prospective candidates must provide a document that confirms their attendance and active participation in the activity.
Information Packets
Information Packets
Membership Information Form-25.pdfWhat are information packets?
What are information packets?
NHS "Information Packets" (how you submit your qualifications and records of service and leadership) paper copies are made available shortly before the end of the 1st semester. A pdf copy of this form is available to the left if you would like to think about your responses and collect information in advance. It is important that you pick up an actual paper copy of the information packet because it has instructions to follow and it includes HOW to complete it and WHEN to submit it. Students will be alerted on when and where they can pick up paper copies of this packet through morning announcements and also through CNN. Please make certain your advisory class watches CNN each week as we provide lots of valuable information through the video. All deadlines will be clearly explained in the "Information Packet." You will be able to drop off your completed packet to either Ms. Abbas (Room 121) or Mrs. Johns (Room 123) anytime before the deadline. Be sure you hand it to either of them personally. Be sure to follow the guidelines and deadlines carefully. Failure to comply with the instructions may invalidate your submission. The deadline for eligible sophomores and juniors to apply is 8:00 A.M. on Monday, January 13, 2025.
Character
Character
How do the advisers and NHS Faculty Council monitor character? Our school's NHS Faculty Council and Advisers check all reports on MiStar including conduct/behavior grades or ratings (including comments) on report cards, progress reports, and on comments for individual assignments that teachers post. Comments (based on a teacher's profession evaluation, i.e., judgment ) and the responses that teaching staff provided on NHS faculty input forms. This information is monitored before for all NHS candidates and if accepted for membership, also continuously during active membership.
The National Honor Society defines a student of "character" as:
Consistently exemplifies positive and desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness friendliness, poise, stability).
Cooperates by complying with all school policies and regulations and codes of student conduct.
Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.
Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty, academic integrity, and reliability.
Regularly exhibits courtesy, concern, and respect for others.
Complies with instructions and rules, and displays personal responsibility.
What Happens After the Information Packet is Turned In?
What Happens After the Information Packet is Turned In?
A five (5) person committee of Crestwood High School teaching staff is selected each year by the high school principal to review and maintain NHS standards. This group is referred to as the Faculty Council and remains anonymous to students and parents. Our chapter bylaws and the NHS National Constitution require that each NHS candidate's credentials be reviewed and voted on by the Faculty Council BEFORE membership is granted. If a candidate does not meet the high standards of NHS membership, he/she will be counseled on how to improve and may possibly be given the opportunity to resubmit their credentials again during the subsequent school year if they are a sophomore.
What is an NHS "Candidate"?
What is an NHS "Candidate"?
If a student is offered membership they remain a candidate until he/she is officially inducted into the Crestwood High School Chapter of the National Honor Society at our annual Induction ceremony. A candidate who has been offered membership may have that membership offer revoked should he/she be involved in any circumstances or activities that violate principles written in the NHS Handbook, chapter bylaws, any of the matters defined on contract forms parents and candidates sign and return, or the NHS Constitution.
Why You Shouldn't Wait Once You are Eligible
Why You Shouldn't Wait Once You are Eligible
Students who become involved in NHS during the Second Semester of their sophomore year have almost 2.5 years to enjoy the benefits of being an NHS member. They also have the opportunity to volunteer for a variety of service opportunities that are useful in helping to develop and encourage the further development of good character and sound leadership skills. These service opportunities are also helpful in college acceptance and in earning possible scholarships during the senior year. Many of the essays that students write as part of the college acceptance and scholarship process require some written reflection service. If you have served your school and community through the National Honor Society, you have a richer background from which to describe your life experience.
Google Slides Presentation for Prospective Members
Google Slides Presentation for Prospective Members
Please let us know if we can help or answer any questions!
Please let us know if we can help or answer any questions!
Contact an adviser or any NHS officer if you have any questions about how to be considered for membership in NHS. You can speak with or email Ms. Abbas (in Room 121 - labbas@csdmi.org ) or Mrs. Johns (in Room 123 - drjohns@csdmi.org ) . We are generally available both before and after school.
Report abuse