National Honors Society for Dance Arts
The National Honor Society for Dance Arts™ (NHSDA) is a program of the National Dance Education Organization, created to recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K-12 education, dance studios, cultural/community centers, performing arts organizations, and post-secondary education. The NHSDA offers three levels of induction: The Junior Program for grades 6-8, The Secondary Program for grades 9-12, and The Collegiate Program for students in college or university dance programs. Establishing an NHSDA chapter in your school is one very important way that you can honor your students and help advance the field of dance education.
Mission
1. To recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K-12 education, dance studios, cultural/community centers, performing arts organizations, and post-secondary education.
2. To foster an appreciation for dance as a true art form and one worthy of recognition and prestige.
NHSDA Secondary Program Goals
To promote a desire for life-long learning in the field of dance.
To encourage an understanding of, and an appreciation for, dance as an art form and develop knowledgeable audiences for tomorrow.
To identify honor students for nomination to the NDEO Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Achievement Award, one of the highest honor programs for dance in the United States.
Eligibility Criteria for Student Induction
Induction into the NHSDA Secondary Program is earned through the accumulation of at 30 points awarded for dance activities such as dance classes, rehearsals, performances, research, workshops, or community service activities, alongside a minimum GPA of at 3.5. Students should track their points and provide the Chapter Sponsor with a record of points earned through worksheets, portfolios, or other agreed-upon methods. For points earned outside of chapter activities, verification of points earned should be provided to the Chapter Sponsor through playbills, registration forms, photos, or other agreed-upon methods. The Chapter Sponsor will keep a record of points earned on file. In addition, the prospective student's demonstration of collaborative teamwork, motivation, and leadership in the many aspects of dance (e.g., choreography, performance, mentoring, production) are factors in the determination of eligibility for induction.
Graduation with Honors Criteria
The NHSDA Induction and Graduation with Honors criteria are designed to allow for flexibility at the chapter level so that honor society induction reflects and supports the school or studio's mission and circumstances. There are 3 main criteria - earned participation points, character and GPA.
Earned Participation Points and Essay Submission
This category reflects points earned for meritorious participation in a wide variety of dance activities. The NHSDA National Induction Point System provides a range of points possible for various activities. Chapter Sponsors may use their discretion in awarding points from zero to the maximum according to the quality of the work performed in a given activity. After being Inducted, students will continue to accumulate points until they have earned the points required for Graduation with Honors.
To qualify for Graduation with Honors within the Secondary Program, a student must earn 15 points beyond their initial induction requirements for a total of 45 points, at least 20 of which should be earned while participating in dance activities within the program of the chapter site. At the sponsor's discretion, a student may earn up to 25 points while participating in community dance activities or other activities in the performing arts outside of the chapter program. Prospective inductees should submit documentation (e.g., programs, signed letters of participation) for any activities outside of the chapter's program to the Chapter Sponsor.
Students applying for Graduation with Honors will need to submit a 250-500 word essay to their NHSDA Chapter Sponsor that describes: What impact dance has had on your life, in and out of the studio? How do you plan to use this influence in the future to have an impact on other people and communities? An equivalent essay as approved by the Chapter Sponsor, will also be accepted.
Demonstration of Character
For Graduation with Honors, the Chapter Sponsor affirms the qualities observed for Induction. However, the character reference expands to be more inclusive of group and society observing one's ability to motivate others, offer thoughtful solutions that unite rather than divide, exercise judicious behavior in communications, do team-building, offer creative paths to new directions, encourage others to lead, and develop tangible personal and professional responsibilities to dance (as an interest, profession, or life-long learning experience) at local, state and national levels.
Determinations made for Character References are frequently made through personal observation and interaction with the student and peers, and the solicitation of input from other faculty either verbally or in writing.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Students must maintain a 3.5 GPA at the time of graduation to receive Graduation with Honors.