Welcome to Springs Charter Schools’ NJHS website. Here you will find a lot of great information that explains the National Junior Honor Society, requirements of candidates and members, important dates, and printable forms.
All applications are due no later than October 22, 2021.
WHAT IS THE 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 NJHS activities. NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, US Territories, and around the world. 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?
In order to be eligible for induction into the National Junior Honor Society, 7th and 8th-grade students must first qualify based on scholarship. Candidates must have at least a 3.5 GPA to be considered. Students will then fill out the information sheet to give examples of their accomplishments in the remaining areas of Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. Just because a student qualifies based on their cumulative GPA (scholarship), does not mean they will be automatically inducted into the NJHS.
WHO CHOOSES INDUCTEES INTO THE NJHS?
After students fill out an application form and submit their personal essays, 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 that 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.
WHAT DOES AN EXEMPLARY NJHS CANDIDATE LOOK LIKE?
Scholarship: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
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.
Citizenship: The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic involvement, has high regard for freedom, justice and democracy, and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as community organizations, and school clubs.
IF I’M A 6TH GRADER, WHAT CAN I DO TO BECOME A BETTER CANDIDATE FOR NJHS IN 7TH AND 8TH GRADE?
One of the best things you can do as a 6th grader is to have really strong grades. You should work hard every day in school because as a 7th-grade inductee, you will qualify in the area of scholarship based on your grades in 6th grade! Also, becoming involved in school clubs and activities, following all school rules, and being a great role model for other students will give you strong teacher recommendations. In addition, outside of school, you can begin to track community service hours (work in which you don’t receive some kind of pay) in order to strengthen your information sheet.
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 or they may participate in Springs’ sponsored NJHS projects like clothing drives and beach cleanups.
If you feel that you meet all the NJHS requirements please download and print the application below. All applications are due no later than October 22, 2021. All completed applications can be emailed to shaina.sullivan@springscs.org
Application Form
