National Honor Society

NHS MEMBERS FOR 2011-2012

The National Honor Society was founded in 1921 to create an organization that would recognize and encourage academic achievement while also developing scholarship, character, service and leadership. The National Honor Society is the leader among organizations and societies that promote appropriate recognitions for students who reflect outstanding accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, character, leadership and service.

Dear Candidate for the National Honor Society,

Sophomore and junior students with a weighted grade point average of 3.5 or greater will be invited to attend an informational meeting regarding the National Honor Society.  This meeting is an effort to make the attendees aware of the criteria and process for possible NHS membership during the next school year.  When final report cards are mailed in June, students who have a weighted grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 or higher, which is required for NHS membership, will receive an invitation to apply for National Honor Society.  In that letter, specific information will be included so eligible students can review the criteria and work over the summer on enhancing any areas in which they feel deficient. 

Not every student who is invited to the initial meeting will ultimately be able to meet the 3.75 GPA requirement.  Also, some students who reach that GPA may not satisfy the other criteria to be invited into the National Honor Society.    However, we know that it is important for all of our students, regardless of their GPA, to focus on academics, leadership, character, and service to the school and community so they can showcase their talents for college applications and future employers.

In an effort to standardize the evaluations, we made some changes to make this subjective process easier for the evaluators and fairer for the applicants.  Aside from the GPA minimum, to be considered for NHS students need to: meet a minimum requirement for performance in the classroom (aside from good grades), school and community service, compile a resume, provide documentation for activities and service to school and community, write an essay, and take part in an interview.  Rubrics that all faculty will use when making their decisions for each of the above mentioned categories have been created and are available on the FHS website, along with other relevant information.   The application form will be made available both on the website and in the Guidance Department office.

Students are encouraged to begin getting involved in volunteer work in the school through organizations such as the Community Service Club, Student Council, Friends of Rachel and the Green Team.  Volunteermatch.org is a website that lists many Erie based community volunteer opportunities.  Students should keep track of all of their volunteer work and extracurricular activities so they can compile a detailed resume.

Rubrics/Information: 

	Essay Rubric
	Interview Rubric
	Assessment Rubric
	National Honor Society Point System
	National Honor Society Candidate Volunteer Sheet

Please contact Mrs. Karpinski at extension 9-3225 if you have any questions about NHS.

Sincerely,

David Park

Principal

Updated 11/8/11