Eligibility Requirements

The Four Pillars of the National Honor Society are:

• Scholarship

  • Juniors with a minimum 3.5 for both the GPA and QPR will be invited to apply in the fall. They will prove their Character, Service, and Leadership through an application. 

• Character

  • Students must provide 5 references from SHS staff who are regularly and well-acquainted with the applicant, 3 of whom are core academic teachers (English, Math, Science, Social Studies).

  • Students of Character demonstrate high standards of honesty and reliability, have exemplary conduct (in and out of the classroom),  role models for academic integrity, show courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and maintain a clean disciplinary record.

• Service

  • Students must provide evidence of at least 50 (preferably more) hours of volunteer service (completed since grade 9) upon application as juniors, or 60 hours upon application as seniors. Only 20 of those may be school affiliated (effective 4/24). Students can reach out to local non-profits and community agencies for opportunities (for example, Sterling House, the public library, Baldwin Center, Southend Community Center...).  

  • Members inducted in the fall of their junior year will need to complete an additional 20 hours of service by the beginning of May that school year, and then an additional 40 hours by the end of their senior year (including summer hours)

  • Service hours specifically affiliated with the NHS projects are required after admission as well

• Leadership

  • Applicants must document strong leadership activities in and out of school.