National Junior Honor Society

Welcome to the organization of the world’s highest achieving students, who have been proudly adding notable membership to their résumés since 1929. There is only one National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), and it provides an outstanding opportunity to grow with academically accomplished peers who are sharpening the habits needed for success in high school and beyond.

Herbert J. Saunders Middle School National Junior Honor Society is an academic organization. Students are selected for membership through an application process that begins during the middle of the third marking period.  Students who meet the academic criteria of a B/3.0 GPA are invited to apply, via an email from the school counseling office.  Applications are also available to students from the NJHS Adviser.

Members for the academic chapter are selected by a nine-member faculty council. A majority vote of the faculty council is needed for selection after reviewing each part of the application criteria. The NJHS chapter’s adviser is not a member of faculty council and is not involved in the voting forum of candidates. The selection process concludes with induction into the school’s National Junior Honor Society chapter. A candidate who decides to join NJHS, is required to participate in an induction ceremony to become a member of the NJHS chapter. Students who are invited to join receive a certificate of membership and an NJHS member pin.

Pillars of Membership

• Scholarship
  Students must first meet this criterion to become candidates for membership. The minimum Scholarship requirement is a cumulative GPA of B, 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.  Scholarship is defined by academic performance, conduct, the candidate’s role in the school’s community as well as teacher recommendations.
• Service
  This involves voluntary contributions made by a student that is accomplished and completed without compensation. NJHS members are required to demonstrate evidence of their service to either the school, the community or both.
• Leadership
  Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.
• Character
  The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others. The NJHS chapter’s faculty council may review or consider disciplinary records when evaluating this criterion during the application process.
• Citizenship
  The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic engagement; has a high regard for freedom and justice; and respects democracy. Inducted members become empowered while working to make their school community a better place for all, as well as a shining exemplar to the outlying community.

Understanding the Obligations of Membership

Students who accept membership and are inducted into the chapter must be aware of the time and commitment involved with their membership. Members are expected to complete service hours on and off campus. The chapter adviser will provide new members with a written copy of the chapter’s membership obligations and code of ethics. These obligations also include chapter monthly meeting attendance, committee workshop meetings, chapter service projects and individual service requirements. Members inducted into the NJHS chapter have dues of $20, to be paid at the beginning of the academic year. The dues are used in support of the induction ceremony, certificates and membership pins. Students who choose membership participate in opportunities to develop their leadership skills that also enrich the school’s campus and outlying community.