Sachem East’s NHS Application Process

Any sophomore or junior that is a potential candidate for the National Honor Society will receive a letter mid-March stating that they qualify academically for the National Honor Society. The letter will include:

• Instructions on how to download the application

• Remind students that they need a minimum of 30 hours of on-going community service

• Remind students that they need a minimum of 2 school-based activities.

  • • This may be 2 clubs, 2 sports or a combination of the two.

    • Other honor societies do not count toward this criteria.

• The application due date (usually in March) and turn-in location (students usually have 2 weeks to turn in the application.  We do not expect students to do 30 hours of community service in this short amount of time.  They should have been volunteering since the summer and/or beginning of the school year.)

Admittance into the N.H.S. will be determined by a Faculty Council based on the student's application and how well they demonstrate the four N.H.S. criteria of Scholarship, Leadership, Character, and Service based on the application. A student must meet ALL selection criteria to be considered for acceptance into the National Honor Society. 

Once the N.H.S. advisors have reviewed all the applications, they will meet with the Faculty Council. The Council votes to accept or deny members based on the National Honor Society requirements. The advisors do NOT have any say in accepting or denying applications. After this meeting, applicants will be notified regarding their admittance status. This may take approximately 2 weeks due to the number of applicants.

Types of Letters

Denial – Students will be denied membership membership if they are lacking in any of the N.H.S. requirements. These students may appeal (see below) in order to be reconsidered for membership. If they are a sophomore and do not get it, they may apply again next year as long as they still academically qualify.  Unfortunately, if a junior does not get in, they cannot apply again as a senior.

Appeal – If prospective NHS members are denied but disagree with the assessment of the Faculty Council, they may appeal. In order to appeal they must see either Mrs. Goodwin (A233) or Ms. Moon (Guidance) to set up an appointment to go through their application. Applying for an appeal does not guarantee membership.

Acceptance- Students that meet the criteria will receive an acceptance letter with NHS guidelines that must be signed and returned to Mrs. Goodwin (A233) or Ms. Moon (Guidance).  Information about the induction and future expectations will be included.