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National Honor Society

QUALIFICATIONS FOR NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Membership in the National Honor Society is based on a student's fulfillment of four
requirements. Members of the junior and senior class who meet all four requirements will be
admitted to the National Honor Society. The four basic requirements for membership are:

1. Scholarship —After reviewing the scholarship requirement for the last several years, the

Faculty Council has revised the GPA standards as follows:

Junior Year Induction GPA Requirement - A cumulative grade point average of 3.750 must be earned during freshman and sophomore years.

Senior Year Induction GPA Requirement – A cumulative grade point average of 3.750 must be earned during freshman, sophomore, AND junior years.

2. Leadership* —According to the National Honor Society standards, the student who exercises leadership:

  • is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions
  • demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities
  • exercises influence on peers in upholding school ideals
  • contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school
  • is able to delegate responsibilities
  • exemplifies positive attitudes
  • inspires positive behavior in others
  • demonstrates academic initiative
  • successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility; conducts business effectively and efficiently; and demonstrates reliability and dependability
  • is a leader at work and in school or community activities
  • is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted
  • is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude.

Junior Year Induction – The SHHS chapter of the NHS requires that each student has held a leadership position in some activity since ninth grade. By SHHS standards, a leadership position requires that the student be responsible for overseeing a group of people. Leadership in organizations outside of school may count towards this requirement. If a leadership position has not been held during the freshman or sophomore years, applicants may ask a teacher or adult supervisor to complete the Leadership Standards Ranking, measuring the above criteria on a scale of 1 to 5. Any junior in need of this must notify the NHS sponsor(s) who will distribute the ranking to the chosen adult supervisor or teacher confidentially.

Senior Year Induction - The SHHS chapter of the NHS requires that each student has held a leadership position in some activity since ninth grade. By SHHS standards, a leadership position requires that the student be responsible for overseeing a group of people. Leadership in organizations outside of school may count towards this requirement. Leadership activities include:

  • officer of an activity or organization
  • editor of a publication
  • team captain
  • crew chief or production manager in a dramatic or musical production
  • head manager of a team

3. Service* —The National Honor Society standards ask that the student who:

  • volunteers and provides dependable and well organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance
  • works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities
  • cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school
  • is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition
  • participates in some activity outside of school: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, youth groups affiliated with religious institutions, volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged
  • mentors persons in the community or students at other schools
  • shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students

Senior Year Induction - The SHHS chapter of the NHS requires members to participate in a variety of SHHS activities, but also to reach outside of SHHS to serve the greater community. Eligible students need to earn at least ten service points in SHHS activities, and demonstrate at least 60 hours of service in activities outside of school from grades 9-11.

Junior Year Induction – The SHHS chapter of the NHS requires members to participate in a variety of SHHS activities, but also to reach outside of SHHS to serve the greater community. Eligible students need to earn at least seven service points in SHHS activities, and demonstrate at least 40 hours of service in activities outside of school from grades 9-11. 8/31/20

SHHS activity points can be earned through activities such as:

  • Athletic team member or manager (3 points per year)
  • Member of cast or crew in musical or drama production (3 points per year)
  • Club member (1 point per year)
  • Academic team member (2 points per year)
  • Staff member of a publication (1points per year)
  • Editor of a publication (2 points per year)
  • Cantata (1 point per year)
  • Silvertones (1 point per year)
  • Wind Ensemble (1 point per year)
  • Other instrument ensemble, with staff approval (1 point per year)
  • *Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Camerata, Orchestra DO NOT earn activity points as there is a grade associated with these groups. Marching Band community activities (football games, parades, etc.) DO count towards the required service hours for entry into NHS.


4. Character —Each eligible student will be evaluated by the faculty and administration according to the National Honor Society standards for good character which states: The student of character:

  • takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
  • consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)
  • upholds principles of morality and ethics
  • cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
  • demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
  • shows courtesy, concern and respect for others; observes instructions and rules
  • has powers of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies exhibits concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies
  • manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others
  • actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment

Character will automatically be questioned by events leading to suspension from school, consistent lateness, cheating, or other offenses brought forth by a member of the faculty or administration. If someone deems a student's character not sufficient, that opinion will be discussed with the student's current teachers, counselor, or dean, and the relevant information will be forwarded to the Faculty Council for consideration.


The Faculty Council will evaluate the requirements of scholarship, leadership, service, and character for each eligible candidate. Final selection of the National Honor Society is the responsibility of the Faculty Council.


All Honor Society members are expected to maintain membership requirements of the National Honor Society. The Faculty Council may dismiss any member failing to fulfill these obligations.

*Leadership and Service requirements must be supported by a signed letter (for each position) confirming the applicant’s involvement in and fulfillment of the specified duties of the position. An adult supervisor must be the signatory of the letter so that the applicant’s participation, and therefore satisfaction of the requirements listed above, is verifiable to the
Faculty council.