National Honor Society

The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. 

These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921. Today, it is estimated that over one million students participate in activities of the NHS and its middle level counterpart, the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). NHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and many U.S. Territories and Canada.

Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and providing community service.
 
Students who have a cumulative average of 90.0% or above will be invited to apply for NHS membership in September of their eleventh and twelfth grade years. In addition to filling out the application, students must have someone verify 10 hours of volunteer service.  (Service to the community does not include free babysitting/yard work/office work, working at a profit-making business for free, or internships.) The person verifying the service cannot be related to the applicant.

One of the highest honors conferred in high school is a student’s selection to the National Honor Society.  Students who are members of the National Honor Society (Amana Chapter) have worked hard to become members and have earned the respect of our faculty and school community.  Membership in the Honor Society is also, however, an ongoing commitment to the ideals of the Honor Society; these include “scholarship,” “leadership,” “character” and “service.”

We fully expect and require that Honor Society members will continue to earn their status in our organization.  To this end, we have the following expectations for our chapter members:

• Attendance at monthly meetings
• Maintenance of a 90.0% average
• Completion of service consists of 20 hours of community service during the school year and 10 service hours are required during the summer.

In addition, members should be active in the NHS-sponsored fundraisers and activities that support the school and community.

Policy on Past Due Service Hours

Members who fall behind on the community service obligation will be notified by email.  The student member will immediately be put on probation and remain so until the next service period.  If the required number of service hours are deficient again, he/she will be terminated as a member of the Amana Chapter of the National Honor Society.

Policy on Character

A student who is suspended from school will automatically be put on probation in writing by NHS.  The probationary period will extend for 60 days from the date of the infraction.  A school suspension MAY also be considered grounds for dismissal after consideration by the Faculty Council. 

Policy on Maintenance of a 90% Average

Students who fall below the 90.0% average will be notified by email.  The students have until the next quarterly report card to improve their grades. Students who do not maintain their 90.0% average at that time will be terminated as members of the Amana Chapter of the National Honor Society.

Any two consecutive probations will result in dismissal from the organization.

Members should understand fully that they are subject to dismissal if they do not maintain the standards of scholarship, leadership, service and character that were used as a basis for their selection. We are very pleased that the majority of our members meet their obligations in a timely manner.  We also hope that your child will take immediate responsibility for the ongoing requirements for membership in the Honor Society.

Any questions regarding these NHS policies may be addressed to Mrs. Carlone at 677-3801, ext. 4318 or pcarlone@wscschools.org.