What is National Junior Honor Society?
Established in 1929, the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is one of the nation’s premier organizations established to recognize outstanding middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1929.
Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS (High School) and NJHS (Middle School). NHS and NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.*
Who is eligible for NJHS?
At Jolliff Middle School, in accordance with national standards set by NJHS, students will first qualify for an invitation through their demonstration of success in the area of scholarship. This means students in 7th or 8th grade with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4 point scale will receive an invitation to fill out an information sheet. Students will then fill out the information sheet to give examples of their accomplishments in the remaining areas of Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. Therefore, just because a student qualifies based on their cumulative GPA (scholarship), does not mean they will automatically be inducted into the NJHS.
Who chooses inductees into the NJHS?
After students fill out an information sheet and the required recommendation forms from teachers and/or other adults, all of their qualifications will be reviewed by our Faculty Council. The Faculty Council is an anonymous group of faculty members who make final decisions about who will be invited for induction into the NJHS. The Faculty Council also serves as the group who determines if a student should be dismissed because of a failure to meet expectations in one of the five areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, or Citizenship. The NJHS sponsors do not have a vote on the Faculty Council and will not be making any decisions regarding acceptance, rejection, or dismissal.
What does an exemplary NJHS candidate look like?
Scholarship: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale), as established 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 (and citizenship for NJHS).
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 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.
What do you do in NJHS?
The goal of NJHS is to build leaders and do service. Other than that, the activities are up to the NJHS members. Each student will also select his/her own service projects that best reflect his/her personal interests.
* Source: www.nhs.us. Accessed 12/10/11.