History of the National Organization

In 1921, the NASSP officially established the National Honor Society. Though many local and regional honor societies existed prior to 1921, no nationwide organization had been founded. Under the leadership of Dr. Edward Rynearson, principal of the Fifth Avenue High School, Pittsburgh, Pa., 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 NHS organization quickly developed into one of the country's leading educational groups.

Four main purposes have guided chapters of NHS from the beginning: "To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools." (from the NHS Constitution) These purposes also translate into the criteria used for membership selection in each local chapter.

In 1929, the NASSP turned its attention to middle level schools and expanded the scope of its concern for recognizing outstanding students by establishing the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). With its own constitution and handbook, NJHS has established criteria that parallel the emphases found in the NHS with an added purpose to encourage citizenship. (Additional information on establishing a chapter of the NJHS is available upon request from the NASSP Department of Student Activities.)

Both the NHS and NJHS are sponsored and supervised by NASSP which appoints a National Council - the controlling body of NHS. In addition, National Council members also serve as the selection committee for the prestigious NHS Scholarship which has been administered annually in schools with NHS chapters since 1946.

The day-to-day administration of NHS national concerns is handled by the NASSP Department of Student Activities, headquartered in Reston, Va.

Selection Criteria

The NHS National Council establishes the national standards for all NHS chapters. Local chapters create their own by-laws which are to be consistent with and comply with the NHS National Constitution.

Any student in grades 10 through 12 in a school with both an official charter of the National Honor Society and an affiliation with the NASSP Department of Student Activities is eligible for consideration for membership in the National Honor Society (instructions for obtaining a Charter and/or affiliation are found on the pages that follow). All membership selection is handled through the local school chapter.

NHS is more than just an honor roll. The NHS chapter establishes rules for membership that are based upon a student's outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These four criteria for selection form the foundation upon which the organization and its activities are built.

Scholarship:"students who have a cumulative grade point average of 85 percent, B, 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent standard of excellence, or a higher cumulative average, set by the local 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."(NHS Constitution, Article IX, section 2) (CCHS has a 3.6 GPA and above entry requirement set at our local level)

Service: This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit.

Leadership: Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activity while working with or for others.

Character: The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern and respect for others and generally maintains a good and clean lifestyle.

Specific standards for these four criteria may vary from one school to the next. Such variations are acceptable as long as they do not fall below the standards set by the National Council of the NHS. All chapters are required to write down the criteria and procedures used in their local selection processes. The NHS adviser maintains copies of the local procedures and has them available upon request.

Membership in NHS

Once selected by the local selection committee, known as the Faculty Council, a student is awarded membership in the local chapter at a special induction ceremony. With induction, a member assumes certain obligations. The chapter must conduct a service project for the school or community, and see to the development of an individual service project for each member.

Chapters may choose to sponsor fundraising projects or involve themselves with the school to reach the chapter's goals established to encourage scholarship, promote leadership and service, and build character. In addition, regular meetings of the chapter are to be held to conduct chapter business and communicate with members. All active NHS chapter members are expected to support these and other chapter activities.

For additional information on selection criteria, membership obligations, and procedures of the chapter, please refer to the NHS Handbook. Copies of the handbook are available from the NASSP sales office to chapter advisers or school principals of duly-chartered schools.

Many of these organizations offer newsletters, conventions and workshops to keep their members informed. Contact the NASSP Department of Student Activities for information about these state organizations.

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