Joining NJHS

The National Junior Honor Society chapter of Harpool Middle School is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of this prestigious national organization. Membership is open to those students who meet the required standards in five areas of evaluation: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Students are selected for membership by majority vote of a five-member principal-appointed faculty council, which bestows this honor upon qualified students on behalf of the faculty of our school each Spring. Membership to the NJHS is a privilege awarded by the faculty of our campus, not a right or expectation.

1. Scholastic Eligibility

During the second semester of seventh grade, students’ academic records will be reviewed to determine those persons who are scholastically eligible for membership. At Harpool, a student must have a cumulative average of 93%.

2. Invitation to Candidacy

Seventh grade students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., "candidates") will be notified and informed that for further consideration for selection to the chapter, they may complete the Candidate Information Form. This form outlines the candidate's accomplishments in the areas of Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship and must be completed by the candidate, although parents may assist. Candidate Info Forms must be submitted by the deadline for consideration, no late forms will be reviewed.

3. Faculty Input

To evaluate a candidate’s leadership, character and citizenship as demonstrated at school, the faculty council uses two forms of input. First, school disciplinary records are reviewed. Second, members of the faculty are solicited for input regarding their professional reflections on a candidate’s behavior. 

Faculty are asked to evaluate a candidate's demonstration of character as follows:

Students of Character:

• consistently show positive behaviors: cheerful, friendly, caring, empathetic

• take criticism willingly and accept recommendations graciously

• are honest and have academic integrity

• are courteous and respectful of others

• are responsible and reliable

Faculty are asked to evaluate a candidate's demonstration of leadership as follows:

Student leaders:

• inspire positive behavior in others

• demonstrate academic initiative

• are dependable

• promote school activities

• propose new solutions and make suggestions to help our class, school, or community

The faculty council looks for candidates who already exhibit all of these qualities in all of their classes.

4. The Candidate Information Review

Candidate Information is compiled by the chapter adviser and reviewed by the Faculty Council. The leadership, service, character and citizenship for NJHS of all candidates will be reviewed carefully. Faculty feedback factors heavily into this selection process. The council is looking for students who are positive leaders at school, as well as in other areas of their lives.

5. Final Selection 

A vote is held for each candidate. A majority vote of the council is necessary for selection. The chapter advisor is NOT a voting member of the faculty council.

6. Report to Administration 

Prior to notification of any candidates, the chapter adviser reports the results of the Faculty Council's deliberations to the principal for approval.

7. Notification 

Candidates will receive a written letter notifying them of their selection. Candidates who do not receive the majority vote of the faculty council will receive a written letter listing criteria not met (Leadership, Character, or Citizenship).

8. Induction Ceremony

Following notification, a formal ceremony is held at the school to recognize all the newly selected members and formally induct them into our chapter. Students will have a meeting prior to the ceremony so that all candidates understand the event procedures.

Once inducted, new members are required to maintain the same level of performance (or better) in all criteria that led to their selection.