The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school level 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.



All members participate in numerous activities, mostly community service projects. Not only do they help members build upon the Service characteristic that NHS recognizes, but they also develop in the areas of Leadership and Character as they gain new skills to use in their schools, communities, and the future.



No. While the academic criterion is important and should be considered first, membership should never be considered on the basis of grades alone. Schools that select members solely on the basis of Scholarship are violating the Constitution of NHS and placing their charters in jeopardy. Candidates are evaluated for all four qualities of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character.

Scholarship	Leadership
Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5, set by Ocean Lakes High 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.	Student leaders are often viewed as those students who are resourceful, good problem solvers, involved in and promoters of school activities, idea contributors, dependable, and who are both organized and organizers. Experiences to be considered under the Leadership criterion can include activities that originate in the school or community or both, as determined by the local chapter.
"Knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested." - African Proverb	"A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way." - John Maxwell
Service	Character
This quality is defined as the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, without direct financial or material compensation to the individual performing the service. Chapters may establish criteria that stipulate specific quantities of projects or service hours for candidates, as well as expectations of service obligations once a student is selected as a member.	The student of good character can be said to be one who upholds principles of morality and ethics; is cooperative and responsible; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; and is a good citizen. Local chapters consider the values and traditions of both the local school and community when defining the Character criterion.
"The fragrance always remains on the hand that gives the rose." - Gandhi	"Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is the character." - Albert Einstein

Juniors and seniors who have have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 are eligible to join NHS. These students will be identified by Guidance and invited by letter to fill out an Information Packet. Once Information Packets are submitted to one of the NHS advisers, teachers and staff are given the opportunity to comment on eligible students in the areas of Character, Leadership, and Service. A Faculty Council, which serves at the invitation of the principal, reviews the Information Packets to determine which candidates meet the criteria of membership. The Council is looking for active, sustained involvement in Ocean Lakes High School activities and community activities, sustained community service, and sustained leadership. The results of the Council's review are submitted to the principal for review, who accepts the Council's report or may ask for additional review of student packets. Students are notified by letter if they meet the criteria for membership or if they are not qualified. Juniors are eligible in the spring of their junior year, while seniors are eligible in the fall of their senior year.

Information Packets will be available on the Student Portal beginning the week of March 2-6 for qualified students who have been notified. These juniors must submit the Packets by March 30th to Mrs. Moskway-Vadersen.

To see the rubric used by the Faculty Council in assessing submitted Information Packets, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Microsoft Word document under "Attachments."


For more information, visit www.nhs.us.