READ EACH SECTION CAREFULLY. APPLICATIONS WITH ANY SECTION LEFT INCOMPLETE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

         The National Honor Society chapter of Fort Calhoun Junior-Senior High School is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of this prestigious national organization

Admission to the National Honor Society

         Membership is open to those students who meet the required standards in four areas of evaluation: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Standards for selection are established by the national office of NHS and have been revised to meet our local chapter needs. Students are selected to be members by a five-member Faculty Council, appointed by the principal, which bestows this honor upon qualified students on behalf of the faculty of our school each year.

         Students in the 11th, or 12th grades are eligible for membership. For the scholarship criterion, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale. Those students who meet this criterion are invited to complete a Student Activity Information Form that provides the Faculty Council with information regarding the candidate’s leadership and service. An essay about leadership experiences in school or community is required. 

         To evaluate a candidate’s character, the faculty council uses two forms of input: first, school disciplinary records are reviewed; second, members of the faculty are solicited for input regarding their professional reflections on a candidate’s service activities, character, and leadership. These forms and the Student Activity Information Forms are carefully reviewed by the Faculty Council to determine membership. A majority vote of the council is necessary for selection. Candidates are notified regarding selection or non-selection according to a predetermined schedule.

To Qualify, candidate’s must meet the following: 

1) Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher entering your junior year of high school.  NHS members must maintain a 3.5 cumulate GPA throughout the rest of their time at HS to remain a part of NHS.

2) Be an active member of our school.  This is demonstrated by participating in 6 activities prior to your junior year of HS or 9 activities prior to your senior year of HS.  NHS students must remain active in school by participating in 3 or more activities per year until they graduate.  In short, Juniors must have a minimum of 6 boxes checked below, Seniors must have a minimum of 9 boxes checked below.  Check all that apply.  

3) Be an individual who displays high character and leadership on a daily basis.  This will be completed through teacher referral forms.  Teachers will score students in the areas of character, leadership, and overall behavior.  Students must have three teachers submit a referral form and meet a minimum score of 184 out of 210 points.  The NHS requires a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.  When calculated to percentage, 3.5 on a 4.0 scale = 87.5%.  When adding the total teacher's points from the survey, a score of 184 out of 210 points = 87.1%. 

4) Submit an essay, 75 words or less, that will tell the committee how you are a positive role model and/or leader within the Fort Calhoun School District OR within the Fort Calhoun Community.  

         Following notification, a formal induction ceremony is held to recognize all the newly selected members. Once inducted, new members are required to maintain the same level of performance in all four criteria (or better) that led to their selection. This obligation includes regular attendance in the chapter service projects(s).  Students or parents who have questions regarding the selection process or membership obligations can contact the chapter adviser, Zach Byrd.

         Removal from National Honor Society

         A student may be removed from the NHS by action of the Principal upon a determination by the Principal that the student:

1. Prior Conduct.  Engaged in conduct prior to induction which was not known at the time of  induction and which, if known, would have caused denial of induction;

 2. Post-Induction Conduct.  Engaged in conduct after induction which is grounds for a student to be long-term suspended or expelled from school under the student code of conduct contained in this handbook; which is grounds for suspension or removal from any extracurricular activity of the school, or which would cause denial of induction if such conduct had taken place prior to the time of induction.

         The student may appeal the Principal’s decision to the Superintendent by giving written notice of appeal to the Superintendent within ten calendar days of receipt of the Principal’s removal decision.  The appeal procedures shall be established in the discretion of the Superintendent such as to allow a fair opportunity for the student’s views and information to be considered.  The decision of the Superintendent on the appeal shall be final.