National Honor Society (NHS) Selection Process

La Sierra High School Chapter

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

SCHOLARSHIP: Students must have a weighted GPA of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale) after a minimum of one semester. They must be classified as a member of the Junior or Senior class at the high school level. The semester prior to selection must be taken at La Sierra High School.

These students will then be given a letter inviting them to complete the Student Activity (Candidate) Information Form. The students will then be eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, and character.

SERVICE: This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school and 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 will be drawn from school and community activities 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.

CITIZENSHIP: The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic involvement, has high regard for freedom, justice, and democracy. That student demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, and school clubs.

All membership selection is handled through the local chapter.  Students must complete the Information Form in full and return to the Adviser signed by both the student and a parent or guardian.  If any of the sections on the form are left blank, the student will not meet the minimum requirements for consideration into the NHS.

Once the Information Form is received, the entire faculty will be given the candidates’ names and asked to fill out a form rating these students. This rating will be averaged to assist the faculty council in the selection process.  The candidates will be rated on the following criterion:

          On a scale from 1 to 4: 
          1 poor
          2 fair
          3 good
          4 excellent
          n/a (not applicable)

• consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior 
• upholds principles of morality and ethics
• cooperates by complying with school regulations
• demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
• shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others

The results of the faculty ratings are turned over to the faculty council, a five-member panel chosen by the principal and chapter adviser. The adviser sits as a sixth, non-voting member of the council. The council then votes for induction.  All candidates are informed of the council’s decisions.  New inductees and their parents are invited to the Induction Ceremony, which is generally held at the end of Fall Semester.

Remember that National Honor Society (NHS) is
an honor bestowed upon an individual, not a right.