National Honor Society

The purpose of the society is to promote those qualities of scholarship, leadership, character, and service to school and community that have been deemed most desirable in high school students. As its name implies, the organization is honorary and follows national criteria for selection. Membership in the NHS is a privilege, not an entitlement.

Students may be considered as potential candidates in the fall of the junior year. The basic selection criteria are summarized below: They are constantly being reviewed and are subject to change. The complete set of by‐laws for the Norvalis Chapter, including a more detailed explanation of the criteria given below, may be available on the school’s homepage (clubs) and is also available from the advisor.

Academics: The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.7500 (as calculated by the Demarest Guidance Department).

Leadership: Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea‐contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Ideally, candidates should have served in several leadership positions in any combination of Demarest activities and Community activities.

Service: This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school, to classmates, or to community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit. As a necessary condition for eligibility, the junior student must have participated in at least 6 in‐school activities by the end of their sophomore year, and the senior student must have at least 7 in‐school activities prior to the start of the senior year and confirmed by the advisor. Meeting the above‐mentioned ‘activity minimums’ is not a sufficient condition for evaluation of ‘Service’ – it is only a starting point. All students will also be given the opportunity to document other services either unrecorded special work at Demarest or outside in the community that can help demonstrate their service commitment. The National Honor advisor will verify all such documentation.

Character: The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and generally maintains a good and clean lifestyle. Part of the process in reviewing good character is the evaluation of the student’s disciplinary record maintained by the administration.

Once they become members, students must maintain their performance to the same criteria or face possible dismissal from the organization, as indicated in the by‐laws. All current members are required to tutor in the tutoring center. Students must also do 20 hours of community service each year. Of the 20 hours of community service, 10 hours each year must be performed through in‐school activities. Students who fail to maintain these standards will be warned of their deficiencies and given an opportunity to re‐establish their good standing. The dismissal process can be found in the by‐laws and on the school’s homepage (clubs). The NHS Faculty Council shall determine when an individual has exceeded a reasonable number of warnings. In the case of a flagrant violation of school rules (e.g., cheating) or civic laws, a warning is not required. In all cases of impending dismissal, a member shall have the right to a hearing before the Faculty Council Members who are dismissed from the National Honors Society by the NHS Faculty Council may appeal the decision to the building principal and under the same rules for disciplinary appeals in the school district.