National Junior Honor Society

MANNHEIM MIDDLE SCHOOL
NJHS Logo

Organized:
NHS, 1921; NJHS, 1929.

Membership:
Chapters in over 18,000 secondary schools (middle schools and high schools), both public and private, are members of NHS and NJHS.

Criteria:
Members are chosen for outstanding performance in Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character (with Citizenship added for NJHS membership). Selection of members is run through the local chapter at the school.

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is governed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The NJHS is open to all seventh and eight graders who have met five criteria: scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship. The basic scholarship requirement is a cumulative average of 3.5. Academically eligible candidates will be evaluated on the basis of leadership, service, character, and citizenship. They must have an O or S for conduct and they can have no suspensions from school (in-house or out of school suspensions). Selection is made by a majority vote of a Faculty Council consisting of five faculty members. Each year the National Junior Honor Society completes one or more community service projects in which all the members of the society are involved. This project could be oriented toward improving student leadership, educating them as citizens, working with, and learning about senior citizens, providing some learning about other cultures, or performing some school service. In addition, individual members are expected to choose another area of involvement in line with their particular talents and interests. This approach emphasizes the need for cooperative effort in service to the community while providing an opportunity for individuals to discover and develop their own unique contributions. Membership in the National Junior Honor Society has been earned by the effective demonstration of the four qualities held in high esteem by the society.

The student who exercises leadership:

Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions.
Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities.
Exercises 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, conducting business effectively and efficiently, and without prodding, demonstrates reliability and dependability.
Is a forerunner in the classroom, at work, and in school or community activities.
Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.

The student who serves:

Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude.
Participates in some outside activity: Girl Scouts; Boy Scouts; church groups; volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged; family duties.
Volunteers 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.
Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.

The student of character:

Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.
Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability).
Uphold 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.
Observes instructions and rules, punctuality, and faithfulness both inside and out side the classroom.
Has powers of concentration and sustained attention as 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.

The student who demonstrates citizenship:

Understands the importance of civic involvement.
Has a high regard for freedom, justice, and respect of the American form of government.
Demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organization, and school clubs.

The basic scholarship requirement is a cumulative average of 3.5. They must have an O or S for conduct and they can have no suspensions from school (in-house or out of school suspensions).

NJHS Logo
National Junior Honor Society
Selection Process for Membership

1. The selection procedure should be determined by the faculty council and must be published.

2. Students’ academic records should be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.

3. Candidates must have a cumulative scholastic average of at least a 3.5. Candidates shall then be evaluated on the basis of service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

4. Candidates must be a member of the seventh and eighth grade classes. Candidates must have been in attendance at the school the equivalent of one semester.

5. Students who are eligible scholastically should be notified, and told that for further consideration for selection to the NJHS Chapter they must complete the Student Activity Information Sheet.

6. All faculty members may be invited to make comments on candidates. However, the actual selections must be made by the five members of the faculty council. It is no longer permissible to take an entire faculty vote.

7. The Student Activity Information Sheet should be reviewed by the faculty council, along with any other verifiable information about each candidate. If a point system is used to evaluate candidates the cut-off point should be determined prior to reviewing candidates.

8. The selection of each member to the chapter shall be by a majority vote of the faculty council.

9. The selection process shall be determined by the faculty council and shall be consistent with the rules and regulations of the National Junior Honor Society.

10. The National Council and the NASSP shall not review the judgment of the faculty council regarding selection of individual members to local chapters.

NJHS Report

So far this year, the National Junior Honor Society has demonstrated its service to the community in various ways. We have filled a box with donations for the Chapel's food bank with items donated in the CANs for CANdy food drives at the Masquerade Ball. We wish to thank all of you for your thoughtful donations. We also provided coffee, tea, hot chocolate during our Parent Teacher Conferences as well as supplying some coloring activities for younger siblings who came with their parents. We wish to thank those parents and staff members who gave graciously to our organization. At the 3rd Annual 8th Grade Feast, we helped by decorating for the Feast and aiding our parent volunteers in setting up and cleaning up. Please watch for some of our upcoming activities, such as our clothing drive and Secret Santa Grams.

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Last Update 12/05/07