National Honor Society Selection Procedures
Pierce High School
National Honor Society
Selection Procedures
Membership in the Pierce chapter of the National Honor Society is an honor bestowed upon a worthy student by the faculty of Pierce High School.
To be eligible for membership a student must be a member of the sophomore, junior or senior class. The student must also have been in attendance at Pierce High School for one term prior to selection.
The student must have a cumulative scholastic average of at least 3.0 based on a four point scale, four being an 'A'.
A faculty council consisting of five faculty members appointed annually by the principal is responsible for determining membership. (The NHS sponsor is a sixth, non-voting member of the council.) The council is provided the following information concerning the eligible students:
cumulative grade point average
completed questionnaires concerning leadership and service qualities - provided by the eligible students
leadership, character, and service averages - provided by faculty (Each faculty member has the opportunity to rate each eligible student in leadership, character, and service on a scale of 4 (high) to 1 (low) similar to a grade. Averages are calculated by the NHS sponsor.)
Final selection of membership is by majority vote of the faculty council. The results of the faculty council vote shall be reviewed by the principal prior to the announcement of new members. There is no quota system concerning membership.
A National Honor Society member who transfers to Pierce High School from another school system automatically becomes a member of the Pierce chapter by bringing a letter from the former principal or chapter advisor showing membership.
The preceding guidelines for membership selection are in accordance with the official handbook of the National Honor Society. Pierce High School follows these guidelines in order to retain its charter.
Membership selection occurs at or near the end of the first semester with the formal induction ceremony to follow.
CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP
SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship requirement set by the National Council is based on a student's cumulative grade point average. This refers to the total academic performance as demonstrated by the grades received by the student while in attendance at the school where the chapter is found. The minimum grade point average is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent. All students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, and character.
LEADERSHIP
The leadership criterion is considered highly important in selection. Leadership roles in both the school and community may be considered, provided they can be verified.
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. In considering service, the contributions this candidate has made to school, classmates, and community, as well as the student's attitude toward service can be reviewed.
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 activities outside of school, for example, Girl or Boy Scouts, church groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged.
Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools.
Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.
CHARACTER
Character is probably the most difficult criterion to define. The council should consider the positive as well as the negative aspects of character. all judgments in this and other selection criteria should be free of speculation and rumor. 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 as shown by perseverance and application to studies 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.
