Application and Selection Process for National Honor Society, BCHS Chapter
Revised July 2008
While the Advisor (Mr. Keir) is always thrilled to speak with parents, students should consider the fact that they are applying for membership in a select group for which leadership is a significant criteria. If you are not confident advocating for yourself or asking your own questions, you should seriously reconsider your decision to apply.
1. Any student who starts their junior or senior year with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or higher may be a candidate for the National Honor Society. Students interested in applying may request information from the Executive Board members or the advisor and should listen to the daily announcements for additional information.
2. Candidates are encouraged to attend an informational meeting, which explains the process for selection. At this meeting students will learn about the Selection Criteria and the deadline for submitting documentation. The date and time of this meeting will be made known through the school announcements, but it is generally held in the last month of the school year.
3. Students will complete a portfolio documenting their leadership and service during their recent high school career. Methods of documentation are explained at the informational meeting. Forms are available on this website. Students must turn in all documentation in the specified format by the deadline set (early fall of the application school year). No documentation will be accepted after the deadline for any reason. All documentation must be complete and follow all guidelines to be considered for application.
Please view the links below for printable instructions, criteria, and forms. Use the back button to return to this page.
4. Staff members are invited to comment on the character of applicants according to the Selection Criteria and make recommendations - positive or negative. The Advisor will check for documentation of inappropriate behavior. This information weighs greatly with regards to acceptance in NHS.
5. Candidates are notified by postings at school and school email about their selection status. The Principal may hear appeals of candidates who are not selected.
6. To officially become a member, selected candidates and a parent must verify understanding of the bylaws and accept the offer of membership. New members are invited to attend an induction ceremony at the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center, usually in mid-November.
7. To remain in the National Honor Society members must continue to demonstrate scholarship, leadership, service, and character. In particular, all members must serve as peer tutors in school as well as complete ongoing community service each year to remain a member of NHS.
Comments
The selection process described above is meant to create a system that meets all national guidelines and maintains high standards of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The selection criteria is available online and will be given to all candidates upon request.
Selection to the National Honor Society is a privilege, not a right. Students do not actually apply for membership. Instead, they provide documentation to support their candidacy that the Faculty Council uses in making its decision.
Local chapters of the National Honor Society are not legally obligated to share with parents or students information concerning selection decisions. The school maintains the confidentiality of the Faculty Council members. Parents or students who seek more information about the selection decision should consult the Principal or the Advisor and should not attempt to contact the Faculty Council members.