Special note for the Classes of 2024, 2025, 2026:
The hours were temporarily altered due to the pandemic so the applicant requirements are:
Starting with the Class of 2027, the hours will return to the original requirements and are as outlined below:
1. What are the requirements for NHS membership?
I. SCHOLARSHIP
Juniors and seniors who have an overall cumulative average (GPA) of 92.00 or higher from 9th grade through the first marking period of the current year shall be eligible candidates. The academic threshold is 92.00 exactly (e.g. an average of 91.98 would fall below this threshold.)
SERVICE-LEADERSHIP–CHARACTER
Juniors and seniors who fulfill the GPA requirement and meet the following criteria for service, leadership, and character by the established deadline are eligible for nomination to the National Honor Society. The service and leadership verification process must be completed in a two week time period.
A. SERVICE
1. Definition: Service incorporates those actions undertaken by a pupil which are done with or on behalf of others above self-interest. To demonstrate service, a pupil will:
1. give time, effort and talents for the class, school, or community;
2. volunteer and provide dependable and well-organized assistance to others;
3. work well with others and be willing to take on difficult responsibilities.
Note: Service is not based on classroom or community work/projects/activities for which grades or pay are given. Nor does mere membership in school or community organizations qualify as service. In addition, practice and/or preparation hours for a game/event are not eligible.
To be eligible, pupils must evidence a minimum of 100 documented hours of service. The eligible hours are those accrued commencing with freshman year of high school. These hours should consist of a minimum of two service roles -one in the school (academy or sending district) and the other in the community (i.e. non-profit national organizations, scouts, hospitals, libraries, and places of worship). One service role must be significant, equivalent to 40 hours -the remaining 60 hours may be cumulative time from several activities with a minimum of 10 hours per activity. Pupils complete and submit the service forms to the prospective references.
*Extracurricular hours/personal development activities do NOT count as community service for NHS purposes.
B. LEADERSHIP
1. Definition: A leader organizes and motivates others to achieve a common goal. A leader:
To be eligible, pupils must evidence a minimum of 50 documented hours of leadership. (These hours are in addition to the service hours required.) The eligible hours are those accrued commencing with freshman year of high school. These hours should consist of a minimum of two leadership roles, one in the school (academy or sending district) and the other in the community (i.e. non-profit organizations, scouts, hospitals, libraries, and places of worship). One leadership role must be significant, equivalent to 20 hours -the remaining 30 hours may be cumulative time from several leadership roles with a minimum of 10 hours per role. Pupils complete and submit the leadership forms to the prospective references. The National Honor Society advisor should receive completed forms by the established deadline.
C. CHARACTER
1. Definition: A person of character demonstrates the following:
2. What counts as service? What counts as leadership? This is a question that students ask every year. As each volunteer activity has it's own quirks, it's not a question that is easily answered. We can not guarantee that a particular activity will be seen as service or leadership by the faculty council, but she can share some of the previously accepted activities.
3. Do hours completed before freshman year count towards NHS eligibility?
No, all hours must be completed between September of your freshman year and the application date.
4. If I have a 92.00 GPA and complete the required number of service and leadership hours, am I guaranteed admission to NHS?National Honor Society is based upon exemplary achievement in four critical areas: leadership, service, character, and scholarship. The Faculty Council will evaluate your application on the basis of your record in all four of these areas.
5. I have a 91.67 GPA. Does it round up to 92?
HTHS NHS has a strict GPA requirement and there is no rounding. In order to be eligible to apply to NHS you must have a 92.00 GPA or above.
6. Do extracurricular activities, such as sports or clubs, "count" as service hours?
No. Extracurricular activities are great personal development activities. Community service is work done by you that benefits others. You do not get paid to perform community service, though sometimes food and small gifts, like a t-shirt, are given to volunteers. Community service can help any group of people in need: children, senior citizens, people with disabilities, English language learners, and more. It can also help animals, such as those at a shelter, and it can be used to improve places, such as a local park, historic building, or scenic area as well.
7. Where can I get volunteer and leadership hours?
Check out the tab labeled "Volunteer Opportunities" above!
8. I was a member of the National Junior Honor Society in middle school. Do I automatically become a member of NHS?
No, National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society are separate organizations.
*membership requirements and bylaws are reviewed on an annual basis and subject to change. Any changes will be communicated to students.
The hours were temporarily altered due to the pandemic so the applicant requirements are:
- 60 service hours (25 significant)
- 25 leadership hours (10 significant and 5 hours of in school leadership)
Starting with the Class of 2027, the hours will return to the original requirements and are as outlined below:
- 100 service hours (40 significant)
- 50 leadership hours (20 significant and 10 hours of in school leadership)
1. What are the requirements for NHS membership?
I. SCHOLARSHIP
Juniors and seniors who have an overall cumulative average (GPA) of 92.00 or higher from 9th grade through the first marking period of the current year shall be eligible candidates. The academic threshold is 92.00 exactly (e.g. an average of 91.98 would fall below this threshold.)
SERVICE-LEADERSHIP–CHARACTER
Juniors and seniors who fulfill the GPA requirement and meet the following criteria for service, leadership, and character by the established deadline are eligible for nomination to the National Honor Society. The service and leadership verification process must be completed in a two week time period.
A. SERVICE
1. Definition: Service incorporates those actions undertaken by a pupil which are done with or on behalf of others above self-interest. To demonstrate service, a pupil will:
1. give time, effort and talents for the class, school, or community;
2. volunteer and provide dependable and well-organized assistance to others;
3. work well with others and be willing to take on difficult responsibilities.
Note: Service is not based on classroom or community work/projects/activities for which grades or pay are given. Nor does mere membership in school or community organizations qualify as service. In addition, practice and/or preparation hours for a game/event are not eligible.
To be eligible, pupils must evidence a minimum of 100 documented hours of service. The eligible hours are those accrued commencing with freshman year of high school. These hours should consist of a minimum of two service roles -one in the school (academy or sending district) and the other in the community (i.e. non-profit national organizations, scouts, hospitals, libraries, and places of worship). One service role must be significant, equivalent to 40 hours -the remaining 60 hours may be cumulative time from several activities with a minimum of 10 hours per activity. Pupils complete and submit the service forms to the prospective references.
*Extracurricular hours/personal development activities do NOT count as community service for NHS purposes.
B. LEADERSHIP
1. Definition: A leader organizes and motivates others to achieve a common goal. A leader:
- demonstrates respect, responsibility, initiative and self- motivation;
- demonstrates attitudes and behaviors that are supportive of others' goals and needs in the classroom or community;
- contributes ideas and looks for innovative ways to improve civic life;
- exhibits managerial qualities such as delegating tasks, running effective meetings and empowering others.
To be eligible, pupils must evidence a minimum of 50 documented hours of leadership. (These hours are in addition to the service hours required.) The eligible hours are those accrued commencing with freshman year of high school. These hours should consist of a minimum of two leadership roles, one in the school (academy or sending district) and the other in the community (i.e. non-profit organizations, scouts, hospitals, libraries, and places of worship). One leadership role must be significant, equivalent to 20 hours -the remaining 30 hours may be cumulative time from several leadership roles with a minimum of 10 hours per role. Pupils complete and submit the leadership forms to the prospective references. The National Honor Society advisor should receive completed forms by the established deadline.
C. CHARACTER
1. Definition: A person of character demonstrates the following:
- meets promptly individual pledges and responsibilities both inside and outside the classroom;
- upholds the highest standards of honesty, respect, reliability, fairness and tolerance;
- adheres to school rules and regulation (i.e. attendance, tardiness, truancy, academic integrity, conduct, etc.);
2. What counts as service? What counts as leadership? This is a question that students ask every year. As each volunteer activity has it's own quirks, it's not a question that is easily answered. We can not guarantee that a particular activity will be seen as service or leadership by the faculty council, but she can share some of the previously accepted activities.
- Previously accepted community service activities include: volunteering at hospital, food bank, library, senior center, recreation departments, assistant teachers at religious schools, fundraising walks/runs, First Aid (and first aid training), fireman (and training), police explorer. Participation in community service activities sponsored by Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts or religious organizations. Tutoring done through a non-profit organization. Other volunteer activities may be accepted, if you have any questions, contact the NHS advisor.
- Activities not typically accepted as community service: Volunteering at a family business or privately owned business (restaurants, Dr. offices, landscaping, Veterinarians, etc.) Babysitting, internships/research positions for personal advancement (internship hours must be pre-approved by NHS advisor if used for community service requirement).
3. Do hours completed before freshman year count towards NHS eligibility?
No, all hours must be completed between September of your freshman year and the application date.
4. If I have a 92.00 GPA and complete the required number of service and leadership hours, am I guaranteed admission to NHS?National Honor Society is based upon exemplary achievement in four critical areas: leadership, service, character, and scholarship. The Faculty Council will evaluate your application on the basis of your record in all four of these areas.
5. I have a 91.67 GPA. Does it round up to 92?
HTHS NHS has a strict GPA requirement and there is no rounding. In order to be eligible to apply to NHS you must have a 92.00 GPA or above.
6. Do extracurricular activities, such as sports or clubs, "count" as service hours?
No. Extracurricular activities are great personal development activities. Community service is work done by you that benefits others. You do not get paid to perform community service, though sometimes food and small gifts, like a t-shirt, are given to volunteers. Community service can help any group of people in need: children, senior citizens, people with disabilities, English language learners, and more. It can also help animals, such as those at a shelter, and it can be used to improve places, such as a local park, historic building, or scenic area as well.
7. Where can I get volunteer and leadership hours?
Check out the tab labeled "Volunteer Opportunities" above!
8. I was a member of the National Junior Honor Society in middle school. Do I automatically become a member of NHS?
No, National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society are separate organizations.
*membership requirements and bylaws are reviewed on an annual basis and subject to change. Any changes will be communicated to students.
