NHS - For Parents

Welcome! The National Honor Society (NHS) at West Chicago Community High School is proud to recognize students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. This page is designed to help parents and guardians understand how NHS works and how you can support your student throughout their membership.

Intro to NHS

NHS is a national organization that honors high-achieving students and encourages them to grow through service and leadership. Membership is both a recognition of past achievements and a commitment to future involvement.

Honors and Recognition

Students who maintain good standing in NHS are recognized at several key events throughout the year. Seniors receive formal acknowledgment at the annual NHS Awards Ceremony, as well as at West Chicago’s Honors Night and during graduation. Members may also earn distinction through additional service, leadership, or officer roles — including tassels, medals, and other forms of recognition. We believe in celebrating our students' commitment to scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

At graduation, NHS seniors in good standing are recognized with special regalia. All members receive a gold tassel and the Membership Medal (solid blue ribbon). Those who maintain continuous good standing for two years—or serve as an officer or committee chair without probation—earn the Excellence Medal (striped blue-and-white ribbon).

Photo by Ja'Nyah Villa, Managing Editor of the Wildcat Chronicle and two-year NHS member.

Expectations of Members

Once inducted, NHS members are expected to:

Maintain a cumulative GPA of 4.5 or higher.
Complete at least 20 service hours per year.
Participate in a leadership activity, either by leading a Personal Leadership Project (PLP) or by actively contributing to a committee or the executive board.
Uphold high standards of integrity and citizenship.

These expectations must be met every year to remain in good standing.

What is a PLP?

Personal Leadership Projects are student-led initiatives designed to make a positive impact. Each student chooses a sponsor, submits a proposal, and sees the project through from start to finish. Projects vary widely—from charity fundraisers and awareness campaigns to events that promote school culture or support peers.

Note: PLPs do count toward service hours in our chapter, though they are evaluated for leadership separately.

Event & Fundraising Participation

In addition to completing individual service and leadership activities, members are expected to contribute to group events and fundraisers throughout the year. This includes attending all-member events such as the annual NHS Leadership Conference, PLP showcases, and the end-of-year Awards Ceremony. Members are also asked to support fundraising efforts by working lunch tables, donating goods, or assisting with sales. These shared responsibilities help sustain our chapter and build a strong sense of community.