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SELECTION CRITERIA AND PROCESS FOR NHS
The selection process and these criteria are used by the Faculty Council to choose members for the Esse Chapter of the National Honor Society. They are consistent with the guidelines from the national organization.
Candidates must have attended TJCA the equivalent of one semester.
The Faculty Council meets in the spring to select members from rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Final selection is made in the fall, when members are invited to accept membership and new members are inducted.
A cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 is used for determining scholastic eligibility.
All four criteria, leadership, service, character, and academic achievement, are to be considered in the selection process. (See guidelines below.)
NHS members in good standing transferring from other schools will be accepted into the Esse Chapter of NHS at the time of their transfer.
The advisor will notify inductees and their parents by letter upon selection. In the fall, there will be an induction ceremony, a reception for new members and their parents, and a meeting to plan the activities for the school year.
If an inductee does not wish to accept the honor of membership, he or she must decline in writing.
Chapters are not legally or constitutionally obligated to share with parents and students information concerning specific students not selected for membership in the Society. Selection for membership is an honor, not a right. Discussions amongst the Faculty Council are confidential. TJCA's Faculty Council would rather err on the side of caution than admit a member who would later need to be removed. (Once a member is removed from NHS at any school, he or she is never again eligible for membership.)
If a student or parent wishes to appeal the selection process, he or she must approach the Advisor, who will act as intermediary between the Faculty Council and the student and parent. The student may have been inadvertently overlooked, the Council may mention a specific setback that prevented selection, or the Council may explain goals for growth and development for the student on campus and provide direction to assist in achieving those goals. The Advisor will present this information to the student or parent. If the student or parent is still not satisfied, the Headmaster may be approached. After he listens to the concerns of the parent or student, he will investigate the matter. In the absence of specific evidence to the contrary, however, the Headmaster must assume that the members of the Council are exercising their discretion in a legitimate and professional manner and with the good faith expected of them. Reconsideration of the Council's decision must be a rare occurrence if the Council is expected to take its assignment seriously.
The National Council and the NASSP have no authority to review or overturn the judgment of the Faculty Council regarding selection of individual members to local chapters.
Selection Criteria for National Honor Society
Leadership
The leadership criterion of is considered highly important for membership selection. It is important to recognize that leadership exists outside elected positions including effective participation in cocurricular activities and providing positive role models.
The student who exercises leadership:
· Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions
· Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities
· Exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals
· Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school
· Is able to delegate responsibilities
· Exemplifies positive attitudes
· Inspires positive behavior in others
· Demonstrates academic initiative
· Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility; conducts business effectively and efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability
· Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities
· Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted
· Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude
Service
Service is generally considered to be those actions undertaken by the student which are done with or on behalf of others without any direct financial or material compensation to the individual performing the service. The contribution the student makes to the school, classmates, and community, is important.
The student who serves:
· Volunteers and provides dependable and well organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance
· Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities
· Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school
· Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition
· Does committee and staff work without complaint
· Participates in some activity outside of school, for example, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged
· Mentors persons in the community or students at your school or other schools
· Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students
Character
Character is probably the most difficult to define. A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
The student of character:
· Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
· Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)
· Upholds principles of morality and ethics
· Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
· Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
· Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
· Observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside the classroom
· Has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention ash shown by perseverance and application to studies
· Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others
· Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment
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