National Junior Honor Society
What is National Junior Honor Society?
The National Junior Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1929.
Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in official Honor Society activities. NHS and NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 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 community service.
History
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) officially established NJHS in 1929, eight years after it founded National Honor Society for high school students. Under the leadership of Dr. Edward Rynearson, principal of the Fifth Avenue High School in Pittsburgh, the organization grew from the original Alpha Chapter at the Fifth Avenue School to more than 1,000 chapters by 1930. Equipped with a constitution, an emblem and motto, and a group of dedicated principals as coordinators, the new NJHS organization quickly developed into one of the country's leading educational groups.
Five main purposes have guided chapters of NJHS from the beginning: to create enthusiasm for scholarship; to stimulate a desire to render service; to promote leadership; to encourage responsible citizenship; and to develop character in the students of secondary schools. These purposes also translate into the criteria used for membership selection in each local chapter.
Meetings for Current NJHS Members:
- You will be notified about our monthly membership meetings through our NJHS Schoology Course Page.
- Looking for ways to promote the five pillars of the NJHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Citizenship & Character.
- Accepting ideas for a chapter service project.
8th Grade Service Project
Each 8th grade NJHS member is required to complete 10 hours of community service time. It is up to you whether you want to create and work on a specific project for an organization/charity or split up those hours amongst various places. Submit your hours to Ms. Marotta in Room 311 ([email protected]) or Mrs. Perry in the main office ([email protected]) as you complete them.
Why do you want to be recognized for being in NJHS?
NJHS is to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
Scholarship
- You need to have a 94 all around GPA or more in just your core classes.
- In this case the related arts are not included in the GPA.
- Make sure that you are not late or absent more than 5 times.
Leadership
- This is the initiative of motivating others.
- You need to have done 3 or more leadership positions.
- You don’t need documentation for this just contact information.
Service Hours
- This is hours of helping the community.
- You need 12 or more hours.
- Can not be consumed in one event.
- It is required to have documentation for service hours, or else it won’t be counted.
- This simply means to just have the leader of the event print out a letter saying how many hours you have done and a signature.
- You can use any service hours you have done from sixth grade to now!
Character
- Character shows the person you truly are now.
- You need to ask any 3 Barkalow staff members to write a recommendation letter for you.
- You need to receive all fours in categories, I suggest you pick teachers that know the better you.
Citizenship
- To have citizenship is to be apart of our school
- You need to have participated in 4 or more school activities
- If you have done sports or clubs or supported any of your friends in games, this all counts!
- You also DO NOT need documentation for this but you do need contact information
All around
- Each of these sections are worth 4 points.
- You need a 17/20 to get into NJHS
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Marotta in Room 311 ([email protected]) or Mrs. Perry in the main office ([email protected]).
National Junior Honor Society Appeals Process
Upon notification of non-selection, an eligible student has the right to an appeals process that begins with the NJHS Faculty Adviser. If the student would like to initiate the appeals process the following steps must be taken by the student and/or his or her parents.
Step 1: The student and/or his or her parent may make an appointment with the faculty adviser to review the candidate’s application and the rubric completed by the faculty council. To initiate step one of the appeals process, the non-selected candidate must request an appointment with the faculty advisor by February 7, 2024. The student may attend the meeting with or without his or her parents, but upon completion of the review, the faculty advisor will contact the non-selected student’s parent to discuss the review if the parent was not present.
Step 2: If the non-selected student and/or his or her parents are still not satisfied with the explanation of non-selection, an appeal can be made to the building administrative team by February 14, 2024.
Within one week of the application review with the faculty adviser, the candidate must request, in writing, an administrative team review directly to the building principal. The administrative team will review the non-selected student’s application and the completed rubric of the faculty council. Upon completion of the review of the application, the administrative team will notify the non-selected candidate of an overturning of the faculty council’s decision or an upholding of the original judgement.