Coastal Dance Centre is an official chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) - Junior and Secondary Programs.
Coastal Dance Centre is an official chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Junior and Secondary Programs.
Four main purposes have guided chapters of NHS from the beginning: “To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools” (from the NHS constitution).
Is the National Honor Society worth it? For students with the time to take an active role in the organization, the NHS is a great place to build a robust college profile and it provides an excellent outlet for developing important skills like leadership and providing service to the community.
The four basic requirements for membership are scholarship, leadership, service, and character. SCHOLARSHIP. Students are eligible to apply for NHS membership if they demonstrate academic achievement by achieving a 3.65 or higher. Grade point average will not be rounded to meet the minimum requirement. LEADERSHIP.
Being a member of the National Honor Society shows that you are among the best students in your class, not just in terms of academics but also in terms of leadership, service, and character. It shows a commitment to community service projects and provides you the opportunity to network with like-minded peers.
Eligibility Criteria for Student Induction
JUNIOR
6 – 8th grades
Induction into the NHSDA Junior Program is earned through the accumulation of at least 15
points awarded for dance activities such as rehearsals, performances, research, workshops, or
community service activities, alongside a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Students should track their points and provide the Coastal Dance Centre Sponsor (Ms. Karen Mata) with a record of points earned through worksheets, portfolios, or other agreed-upon methods.
For points earned outside of chapter activities, verification of points earned should be provided to the Chapter Sponsor through playbills, registration forms, photos, or other agreed-upon methods.
SECONDARY
9 – 12th grades
Induction into the NHSDA Secondary Program is earned through the accumulation of at least 30
points awarded for dance activities such as rehearsals, performances, research, workshops, or
community service activities, alongside a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Students should track their points and provide the Coastal Dance Centre Sponsor (Ms. Karen Mata) with a record of points earned through worksheets, portfolios, or other agreed-upon methods.
For points earned outside of chapter activities, verification of points earned should be provided to the Chapter Sponsor through playbills, registration forms, photos, or other agreed-upon methods.
The National Honor Society (NHS) is an organization dedicated to recognizing and encouraging outstanding high school students in grades 10-12. Founded in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, it was the first nationwide honor society and now has chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and many other US territories. The National Honor Society estimates that today, more than one million students participate in their activities.
You are probably wondering what qualifies you as an “outstanding high school student” eligible for membership. And beyond that, you may question what sorts of services and activities are required of and provided to members.
Read on to find out how to get into the National Honor Society, and what you’ll get in return!
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Being a member of the National Honor Society shows that you are among the best students in your class, not just in terms of academics but also in terms of leadership, service, and character. It shows a commitment to community service projects and provides you the opportunity to network with like-minded peers. College admissions committees like to see anything that sets you apart as a top student, and this is one of them.
Additionally, NHS provides regular opportunities for you to build your leadership skills. Though not required, multiple conferences and events are available to NHS members throughout the year, including:
LEAD Conferences
Open to students in NHS, National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), and the National Association of Student Councils, Leadership Experience and Development (LEAD) conferences are held several times a year on weekends in varying cities across the country. They aim to improve leadership skills and provide networking opportunities for peers from around the country.
National Student Leadership Week
Established in 1972 to promote the value of student leadership, National Student Leadership Week is an open-ended way for schools to celebrate and recognize the importance of student leadership. On their website, NHS provides a list of materials for planning this week.
State Summits
These local events are available only to students in NHS or NJHS, and they provide the opportunity for students to participate in think-tank style sessions with state leaders. They are designed to spark conversation with the goal being tangible solutions to real problems in schools and communities.
College Scholarships
Finally, NHS also offers college scholarships. Any high school senior who is a member in good standing of a local NHS chapter is eligible to apply for one of the 400 scholarships awarded annually. The 2017 scholarship application will be available online on November 1, 2016, and due on February 1, 2017. More information is available here.
First of all, it is worth noting that membership in the National Honor Society (NHS) is determined at the local level. Before you find out if you can become a member, you’ll need to locate your local chapter of the NHS. This can be done with a quick search on their Chapter Finder online, or by talking with a teacher or guidance counselor.
If your school does not currently have a local NHS chapter, you can talk with your principal or an advisor about founding one. Though students are not allowed to found chapters themselves, it is a simple process and one that most administrators can navigate easily. To apply, your school will need to appoint a faculty adviser and a five-member faculty council, fill out an application form, and pay an annual membership fee of $385. If this fee is financially prohibitive for your school, check out our Guide to Fundraising where you’ll find ideas on how to raise the money yourselves.
All public and accredited private schools are eligible to establish a local NHS chapter, and all students in grades 10-12 who meet the minimum GPA requirements at these schools are welcome to apply. Unfortunately, at this time, homeschooled students are not able to apply, though part-time students may be eligible if permitted by the bylaws of their local chapter.
Like any other extracurricular, the National Honor Society requires time and commitment from all of its members. You will be asked to attend regular meetings, and you must participate in chapter and individual service projects. You should check the obligations of your local chapter before making the commitment if you aren’t sure, you will have the time or energy to participate.
Once you have located your local NHS chapter, you will need to review their membership requirements. Each local chapter sets forth their own unique qualification requirements which must be published and available for review. Although the exact requirements for membership vary by local chapter, all are based on the same four pillars of NHS, detailed below:
1. Scholarship
National guidelines require you to be in grades 10-12 and maintain a cumulative GPA of 85 or higher in order to qualify. This is a B average or a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Though this is the national minimum, many local chapters establish higher standards, so you will need to check the requirements of your local chapter to see if your GPA qualifies you.
If your GPA does meet the minimum standard as defined by your local chapter, you will have the opportunity to complete a form detailing your accomplishments in the other three pillars, listed below.
2. Service
Part of your application will ask you to detail your experiences in volunteer work, or other uncompensated, voluntary contributions to your school or community. Some local chapters will require you to have served a specific number of community service hours in order to qualify. These hours could be spent organizing clothing or food drives, participating in clean up days on campus, or voluntarily tutoring younger students.
Keep in mind, though, that service hours aren’t something you should be rushing through just to accumulate them as quickly as possible. You should choose service activities with value to you. For more on this, check out the advice in “Do I Need Community Service For My College Application?”
3. Leadership
You will also be evaluated for your leadership skills. In this area, you should highlight your experiences taking leadership roles in school and community activities. This could include things like being a team captain, organizing a youth group, or being a part of student government. NHS specifically seeks student leaders who are “resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors.”
4. Character
Finally, to gain membership to NHS, you will need to prove that you’re cooperative, responsible, reliable, and honest. You should have a clean disciplinary record and show respect and courtesy to those around you.
Some chapters of NHS might require a written recommendation to vouch for your character. If you need a written recommendation, make sure to choose a teacher who has taught you in a core subject and has known you well for an extended period of time. Meet with the teacher ahead of time to discuss your goals for the application and to talk about why you feel you are qualified to become a member.
If you meet the minimum GPA requirements for your local chapter, the faculty council will meet to evaluate your candidacy based on your application. They will review each of the characteristics outlined above, and you may be accepted for membership by a majority vote of the five members.
If you are denied membership, you may appeal the decision at the local level, but the national NHS organization does not review individual appeals. You may also reapply another year. A rejection of your NHS application does not appear on your transcript or any of your college application materials.
If you are accepted to the National Honor Society, you will be invited to an induction ceremony with the rest of the newly accepted members of your local NHS chapter. These induction ceremonies are typically public events as the NHS endeavors to inspire others through them. Your parents will be invited, and you can usually invite anyone else who might be interested.
Though the national office does not dictate a specific format or script for local induction ceremonies, they do dictate that such ceremonies must be “appropriate and impressive”. They also offer a number of ideas and sample programs which can reviewed in their handbook available here with an NHS account.
In general, the induction ceremony usually includes:
A procession or special entrance by inductees
Invocation or welcome from the adviser, principal, or chapter president
National Anthem or Pledge of Allegiance
Guest Speaker
Review of criteria for membership
Honor Society Pledge
Closing remarks
Many ceremonies also include a candle lighting or other symbolic presentation. Even if you have been accepted in NHS, you are not considered an official member until you have been inducted, signed into your local chapter’s registration, and taken the NHS Pledge.
As a member of the NHS, you’ll need to attend chapter meetings and participate in service projects, both as a group and as an individual. Though it can sometimes be hard initially to come up with new service projects and ideas, the NHS national website maintains a searchable National Student Project Database and a guide to Community Service Idea Starters.
When you begin a new service project, whether as a group or on your own, you should add your project to the database. You never know when others might want to join you, and your ideas could inspire other people, too!
Take as much advantage of your membership in the National Honor Society as you can. Attend conferences and events, organize your own events, and apply for the NHS scholarships your senior year! On your college application, being a member of the NHS is a great indicator of your academic successes and generous spirit. But being an active member is even more convincing, as it drives home your leadership skills and dedication.
For more information about community service, be sure to check out our article, “Community Service, Reimagined: MCC’s Recommendations for High School Service” wherein we summarize some of the main points about service as made by Making Caring Common, a project of Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.
Selection for membership is by a Faculty Council and is based on outstanding scholarship, character, leadership and service. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities. Some candidates may be ineligible for induction because of the semester ruling.
What do entertainer Taylor Swift, former first lady Michelle Obama, and baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr., have in common? They were all members of the National Honor Society. Welcome to the organization the world's highest achieving students have been proudly adding to their résumés since 1921.
Ace Your National Honor Society Essay with These Tips
Understand the philosophy behind the essay. ...
Then tell your personal story-in writing. ...
Introduce yourself in a professional yet unique way. ...
Talk in detail about your grants and scholarship achievements. ...
Include your non-academic achievements and activities. ...
Be sincere.
What Is the National Honor Society?
The National Honor Society recognizes outstanding high schoolers and awards $2 million in scholarships annually. Learn more about the benefits of joining the National Honor Society.
- The National Honor Society recognizes exceptional high schoolers.
- Qualifying students can join the local chapter at their high school.
- NHS distributes 600 scholarships worth $2 million each year.
- Honor societies like NHS can help high schoolers prepare for college.
Many honor societies recognize exceptional students. But the National Honor Society (NHS) stands out for its long history and its commitment to college scholarships.
Unlike college honor societies, NHS welcomes high schoolers to its chapters. Students who meet the membership requirements can join the society to gain leadership and service experience. NHS also awards $2 million in scholarships each year.
What do you do in the National Honor Society? And is the National Honor Society worth it?
With a track record that stretches back over a century, NHS can be a great option for high schoolers who want to join an honor society.
What Is the National Honor Society in High School?
The National Honor Society recognizes high schoolers who meet high academic standards. The organization was founded in 1921. Today, over 1 million students participate in NHS, which has chapters around the world.
NHS emphasizes leadership and service. Members meet standards for character and draw on their leadership experience to contribute to the society.
The organization operates through chapters in local schools. The honor society reports that, on average, each chapter contributes 1,000 hours of community service. High schoolers can join NHS by meeting membership requirements.
National Honor Society vs. National Junior Honor Society
The National Honor Society is for high schoolers. The National Junior Honor Society is for middle schoolers. Founded in 1929, NJHS operates chapters in all 50 states and around the world. While NHS accepts students in grades 10-12, NJHS admits members in grades 6-9.
Like NHS, the junior honor society emphasizes academics by setting a minimum 3.0 GPA for membership. Community engagement also plays a major role in NJHS activities. Members volunteer in their communities and gain leadership experience.
NJHS membership does not transfer to NHS membership. Each NHS chapter sets its own requirements to admit students, who must meet minimum standards set by the national organization.
What Do You Do in the National Honor Society?
NHS chapters hold events and participate in leadership opportunities. Members can apply for the NHS Scholarship, access member-only college planning tools, and attend leadership conferences.
Chapters also volunteer at their school and in the community. Common service activities include peer tutoring, blood drives, public space cleanups, and community fundraisers.
How to Get Into the National Honor Society
How can high schoolers get into the National Honor Society? While the national organization creates benchmarks, each chapter sets its own standards for membership. Check whether your school has an NHS chapter and contact the chapter advisor to learn about the specific requirements to become a member.
The national requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a cumulative grade of 85%. Some chapters set higher academic standards to join.
NHS also recommends a volunteer service component, leadership standards, and evidence of good character.
Each chapter publishes its standards and information about joining. Students who meet the academic requirement submit a form listing their other qualifications. Chapters then determine which applicants gain admission.
National Honor Society requirements include:
- Scholarship: Minimum 3.0 GPA; some chapters set higher GPA requirements.
- Service: Prospective members volunteer time to the school or community.
- Leadership: Applicants demonstrate leadership experience in the school or community.
- Character: Chapters set requirements that demonstrate good character.
What Are the Benefits of the National Honor Society?
Why do high schoolers join the National Honor Society? NHS membership demonstrates academic and service commitments. Many students join to participate in the honor society community and strengthen their college applications.
NHS offers college admission and financial aid planning resources. In addition, members participate in leadership development events.
The National Honor Society Scholarship is also a major benefit of membership. Started in 1946, the NHS Scholarship has distributed over $19 million in support to college-bound seniors. The scholarship awards $25,000 to one national winner, $5,625 to 24 national finalists, and $3,200 to 575 national semifinalists.
In total, 600 scholarship recipients share around $2 million in awards annually. NHS members can submit their scholarship applications from Oct. 1-Dec. 1 during their senior year. Scholarship recipients learn of their awards in the spring.
Is the National Honor Society Worth It? Should you join NHS?
If you meet the membership requirements and your school has a chapter, participating in the National Honor Society can boost your chances of getting into college and winning a scholarship.
As one of the oldest honor societies, NHS is a good option for high schoolers who want to showcase their academic strengths and gain leadership experience. NHS members can also apply for 600 scholarships offered annually.
How much does NHS cost? Chapters pay an annual fee to participate in NHS, and each chapter sets any membership dues. Prospective members should check with their local chapter to determine the cost