National Honor Society

Interested in being part of National Honor Society? Please click the link below to see if you qualify. Application closes at 3PM on Friday, April 16th. 
 
 

 

What is 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. The Columbia Chapter of National Honor Society was chartered on January 30, 2007.

Selection Process--

The following is a summary of the process used by the Faculty Council of the Columbia Chapter of the National Honor Society for the selection of students for membership.

1. Academic Eligibility: The first step in the process is the review of a student’s academic records. In order to be eligible for selection to National Honor Society, a student’s cumulative weighted Grade Point Average, or GPA, must be at least 3.60.

2. Candidate Notification: Once a student has been determined to be academically eligible, they will be notified by letter that they are now considered a candidate for National Honor Society. Academic eligibility does not guarantee election to the National Honor Society. Each Candidate must then submit a candidate information form by the communicated deadline.

3. Review: Candidate forms will then be reviewed by the Faculty Council and the council will deliberate each candidate. The Faculty Council will review students according to four criteria: Character, Scholarship, Leadership and Service. The Faculty Council will then vote on whether or not a student should be elected.

4. Report to Principal: The results of the Faculty Council’s deliberation and voting will be reported to the principal by the chapter adviser. A full list of selected and non-selected students as well as reasons for selection or non-selection will be submitted to the principal for final approval.

5. Notification of Selected Members: Selected candidates and their parents will be formally notified of their selection. Information on the time and date of induction will also be provided in this notification.

6. Verification and induction: Selected students will be verified and inducted into the National Honor Society at a formal induction ceremony that will be open to the school as well as friends and family. Upon induction, the full benefits of being a member of the National Honor Society will be bestowed upon inducted members.

Obligations of Membership

Once inducted to the Columbia Chapter of the National Honor Society, members are expected to fulfill the following obligations:

* Maintain a 3.60 cumulative GPA (weighted). Members whose GPA falls below 3.60 will be placed on probation and given one semester to improve their grades.

* Attend and participate in all regular NHS meetings and events. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month; members must report their absences to the chapter adviser or a chapter officer prior to the meeting for approval.

* Participate in at least one chapter service project per semester. Should a member not be able to meet this semester obligation, they must submit documentation for an additional 3 hours of individual service.

* Engage in at least 10 hours of individual community service per semester, not including chapter service projects. Members may count volunteer hours completed for other school or community organizations. Documentation of service is due to the vice-president and/or adviser by the end of each semester. For project ideas, visit the National Student Project Database.

* Contribute $10 annual dues. Dues will be payable to the school bookkeeper, with a receipt provided to the chapter treasurer.

* Set an example for others. All members of NHS are required to uphold the qualities of character, scholarship, leadership, and service.

 

Members who fail to attend regular meetings, complete service requirements, or who fail to uphold the high standards of character necessary for inclusion in the National Honor Society will be placed on probation. Serious or continued difficulties in these areas may lead to forfeiture of the privileges of membership in the NHS.