National Honor Society Selection and Process

Every October, Saint Paul High School inducts students into the National Honor Society. This Society is the leader among organizations that promote recognition for students who reflect outstanding accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, character, leadership, and community service. National Honor Society membership is often regarded as a valid indicator that these students will succeed in life and in studies at the post-secondary educational level. These National Honor Society Members have exhibited outstanding community service, demonstrating the willingness to use their talents and skills for the improvement of society and leadership; particularly in ASB and extra-curricular activities, honorable and admirable character, and academic achievement.


Selection to NHS is a privilege, not a right. Students do not apply for membership in the National Honor Society; instead, they provide information to be used by the selection committee to support their candidacy for membership. Membership is granted only to those students selected by the Faculty Council of the school. This is not an election, nor is membership automatically conveyed simply because a student has achieved a specific level of academic performance. NHS is more than just an honor roll. The society emphasizes other components in the selection process (leadership, service, and character). This honor, recognized throughout the entire nation, is both the public recognition of accomplishment and the private commitment to continued excellence on the part of the new member.

Prerequisites for conditions of selection:

Only those students who have attended the school the equivalent of one semester may be considered for membership. This period is necessary for students to establish themselves and for the faculty to get to know them. Even after a semester, it may be necessary to contact a transfer student’s former school for additional information.


Membership may be open to qualified juniors and seniors.


Freshmen are not considered for National Honor Society status, however, grades earned and activities undertaken during the 9th grade year may be used.


Criteria Selection

The Faculty Council of the chapter of St. Paul High school selects students who demonstrate outstanding performance in all four criteria of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.


Also, a minimum grade point average must be 3.0 to be considered for selection.


Scholarship:


The scholarship requirement set by the National Council is based on a student’s cumulative grade point average. The phrase “cumulative grade point average” refers to the total academic performance as demonstrated by the grades received by the student while in attendance at St. Paul High School. For example, if students are selected their junior year, grades from 9th grade on will be used to compute the scholastic average. The minimum grade point average allowable is 85%, B, 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). If the students meet this academic scholarship requirement, they are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership and character.


Leadership:


The Leadership criterion is considered highly important for membership selection. The student who exercises includes the following but is not limited to:


  • Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles and making suggestions
  • Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities
  • Exercises positive 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; conducts business effectively; demonstrates reliability and dependability
  • Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities
  • Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted
  • Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude

Service:


Service is generally considered to be those actions undertaken by the student, which are done with or on behalf of others without any direct or financial or material compensation to the individual performing the service.


The student who serves:


  • Volunteers and provides 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 interclass and interscholastic competition
  • Does committee and staff work without complaint
  • Participates in some activity outside of school, for example, Girl or Boy Scouts, church groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged
  • Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools
  • Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students

Character:


A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: respect, responsibilities, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship.


  • Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
  • Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)
  • Upholds 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
  • Regularly show courtesy, concern, and respect for others
  • Observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside the classroom
  • Has powers of concentration, self-discipline, 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

In March, Sophomores and Juniors may submit applications for review

  1. Each applicant’s cumulative grade point average will be reviewed to determine those students who are scholastically eligible for membership. The cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or above.
  2. Students who are eligible scholastically will be notified and informed that for further consideration for selection to the chapter, student applications must be completed by the designated deadline.
  3. The selection process will be made by the four or five appointed members of the Faculty Council.
  4. The Faculty Council will review the Student application, along with any other viable information about each candidate. Significant experiences in the first 5 areas of the Student Activity Information form are vitally important for consideration for membership.
  5. Candidates receiving a majority vote of the Faculty Council will be inducted into the chapter.
  6. All candidates will be informed in writing about the outcome of selection.
  7. An induction ceremony will take place for all students who accept the invitation for membership.