The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Invitations

In order for a student to be invited to apply for induction into NHS the following criteria must be met:

• Be a member of the Junior or Senior Class at Forbush High School. 
• Have a cumulative unweighted 3.50 GPA at the end of their sophomore or junior year.
• Have completed a minimum of 50 hours of community service prior to applying for membership. Community Service Logs must be submitted to the Community Service Coordinator for verification each year before April 1.

• The graduating classes of 2023 and 2024 are required to have 25 hours total of community service prior to applying for membership due to disruptions caused by COVID 19.

Eligible students should automatically receive an application in late September /early October.  If you do not receive an application, and believe that you qualify, please see the NHS sponsor by October 15.

Application Requirements

In addition to the completed application form, a candidate must submit the following:

• A 250 to 300 word essay about how you have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

• A recommendation from a community leader.  This can be any person in the community who has seen your strengths through your character, leadership, and acts of service. 

• A recommendation from a teacher. This can be any teacher, administrator, and/or coach who can speak of your character, leadership, scholarship, as well as your acts of service for your school. 

• Verification of Leadership.  Applicants must have demonstrated leadership in an extracurricular activity or sport during your high school career. This activity can be church, school, club, or community related.  Include a statement signed by the activity sponsor verifying your leadership ability and the name of the team, club, etc.

Applications are due by October 26.  Late applications will not be accepted.  Students with incomplete application packets will not be considered for membership.

Continuing Membership

Current members must maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.50 and earn an additional 20 hours of community service each year.  A copy of the log must be submitted by the last student day in March each year to the Community Service Coordinator, Natalie Vestal.  Honor Code violations or other disciplinary actions may jeopardize the student’s continued membership in NHS.

Copies of the Community Service Verification Log are available in the Student Services Office or copy may be downloaded here.

Questions concerning the NHS should be directed to the School Counselors.