National Junior Honor Society

What is National Junior Honor Society?

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1929.

Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in official Honor Society activities. NHS and NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.*

Who is eligible to join National Junior Honor Society?

At Mulberry Middle School, in accordance with national standards set by NJHS, students will first qualify for an invitation through their demonstration of success in the area of Scholarship. That means, students in their final semester of 7th grade with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 on an 4 point scale will receive an invitation to fill out an information sheet. Students will then complete the information sheet to give examples of their accomplishments in the remaining areas:

• Leadership - Leadership is recognized as being elected to positions in clubs, team captains, or selected by a supervising adult to lead an activity for a group consisting of more than two other members. Leadership is also recognized in 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.
• Service - Service is considered to be those actions that are done with or on behalf of others without direct financial or material compensation. Service may include contributions to classmates or community. A student who demonstrates excellent service exhibits the following: participates in some outside community activity, works well with others and is willing to take on difficult tasks without regard for recognition, cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service for the school.
• Character - A student of character demonstrates the following qualities: honesty and integrity, respect for self and others, responsibility, fairness, compassion, caring, and does the right thing even when not being observed.
• Citizenship - Both actions and attitudes are important for good citizenship. Good citizenship shows care and concern for vulnerable members of the wider community. Citizenship is demonstrated by the following characteristics: peacefully settles disputes; responsible for family, school, and community; treating others as one would like to be treated; respect for the U.S. flag and Constitution; respect for one’s parents and home; respect for others’ views and beliefs; protects the environment; and challenges injustice to make a positive influence.

Therefore, just because a student qualifies based on their cumulative GPA (Scholarship), does not mean they will not automatically be inducted into the NJHS.

Who chooses inductees into the NJHS?

After students submit the information sheet and the required recommendation forms from teachers and/or other adults, all of their qualifications will be reviewed by our Faculty Council. The Faculty Council is an anonymous group of faculty members who make final decisions about who will be invited for induction into the NJHS. The Faculty Council also serves as the group who determines if a student should be placed on probation or dismissed because of a failure to meet expectations in one of the five areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, or Citizenship.

What do you do in NJHS?

The purpose of NJHS is to create leaders and do service. Most activities are up to the NJHS members. Members will make suggestions for service projects based on their personal interests.