Eligibility for NJHS at SMS

Seymour Middle School National Junior Honor Society Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for membership in the Seymour Middle School NJHS, grade 7 candidates must:

1. be in attendance at the school the equivalent of one semester;

2. be in seventh grade;

3. have earned honors or better each marking period in Grades 6 and 7 and have earned High Honors for at least 4 of those marking periods during their time at SMS; 

4. have consistently exhibited positive behavior in line with Cougar PRIDE while at SMS.  The faculty council of the NJHS recognizes that disciplinary mistakes can be made and therefore, students with a past behavior record should apply if they meet the other qualifications.  Students with behavioral concerns will have the opportunity to explain how they have corrected their behavior and have grown as individuals within the application form.  Additionally, students may be asked to meet with the faculty council to elaborate in person.

5. have demonstrated excellence in service, leadership, citizenship, and character during their tenure at SMS. The faculty council of the NJHS recommends that students consider all the ways they have been a leader during grades 6 and 7 (in classroom settings, on teams, and within the community) when applying. 

Grade 8 students may apply or reapply for the Seymour Middle School chapter of the NJHS with the following modifications to the original grade 7 criteria:

1. be in attendance at the school the equivalent of one semester;

2. be in eighth grade;

3. have earned honors or better each marking period in Grades 6 and 7, and quarter one of grade 8 and have earned High Honors for at least 5 marking periods during their time at SMS;

4. have consistently exhibited positive behavior in line with Cougar PRIDE while at SMS.  The faculty council of the NJHS recognizes that disciplinary mistakes can be made and therefore, students with a past behavior record should apply if they meet the other qualifications.  Students with behavioral concerns will have the opportunity to explain how they have corrected their behavior and have grown as individuals within the application form.  Additionally, students may be asked to meet with the faculty council to elaborate in person.

5. have demonstrated in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades excellence in service, leadership, citizenship, and character both in their school and greater community.

Once accepted, to maintain membership in the SMS NJHS, inductees:

1. agree to maintain an average of 87.5% or higher for the remainder of their tenure at SMS;

2. must not receive any referrals nor suspensions for the remainder of their tenure at SMS;

3. agree to regularly participate in a minimum of 80% of chapter meetings, 

4. agree to participate in 80% of the chapter activities during their tenure at SMS; 

5. agree to participate in 80% of the chapter service projects during their tenure at SMS; 

6. must choose, have approved, and participate in a minimum of 20 hours (June - May) of independent service projects that reflect his/her particular talents and interests (This is in addition to the chapter service projects to which all members contribute);

7. must follow the SMS tardiness policy (no more than 5 tardies in a marking period) and absence policy (no more than 4 unexcused absences in a month or 10 unexcused absences for the school year) in the SMS student handbook.

8. must continue to demonstrate excellence in service, leadership, and character for the rest of their tenure at SMS;

9. must adhere to all chapter bylaws.

Eligibility approved on 12/18/24 by the Faculty Council.