Any students in the grade 10 through 12 in a school with both an official chapter of the National Honor Society and an affiliation with the NASSP Department of Student Activities is eligible for consideration for memebership in The National Honor Society. All membership is handled through the local school chapter.
NHS is more then just academic recognition. The NHS chapter establishes guidelines for selection that are based upon a candidate's outstanding performance in the area of scholarship, service, leadership and character. These four criterias form the foundation upon which the organization and its activities are build.
Scholarships: "Students who hace a cumulative grade point average of 85 percentile, 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), B, or equivalent standard of excellence, or a higher cumulative grade point average set by the local school's faculty council meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, and character." (NHS Constitution, Article ix, section 2)
Service: This quality is defined throught he voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit, but without compensation.
Leadership: Student leader are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of good activities, idea contributers, dependable, and person who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activitiy while working with or for others.
Character: The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrate high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern and respect for others, and generally maintains a good and clean lifestyles.