• National Junior Honor Society

    What is the National Junior Honor Society?
    The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a program through which qualified students have a unique opportunity to build on their accomplishments. The NJHS focuses on the five pillars of membership. The following list of the pillars, except for Scholarship, has been taken directly from the NJHS Website:

    • Scholarship: Our chapter requires a 95.0% [94-94.9 will not be accepted] (to two decimal places, unrounded) cumulative GPA.

    • Service: This involves voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation.

    • 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; and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record.

    • Citizenship: The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic engagement; has high regard for freedom and justice; respects democracy; respects the law for all citizens at the local, state, and federal levels; and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility in activities such as scouting, community organizations, or school clubs.

     

    Who are the district's NJHS advisors?

    Mrs. Klein and Mrs. Rough - Both teachers are faculty members at High Mountain School.

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    Where and when are member meetings held?

    HMS Library on Thursday mornings (8:00-8:25 a.m.), once per month.  A schedule is provided on Google Classroom to accepted members but is subject to change.

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    Who is eligible?

    • Students entering 7th or 8th grades can apply by invitation only. 

    • An official invitation letter will be emailed to selected students after a data-based, selection process has been conducted by school administrators.

    • The data-based process does not consider estimated GPAs (see Scholarship above).  While a report card may round an average up, this program is very competitive.  A report card average may be influenced by teacher assistance, student efforts, and exceptions throughout the year, pre-emptively allowing for flexibility.  Therefore this program relies on finalized point values. 

    • Invitations are emailed to students in the spring.  Students are expected to share this information with their families.  Informing parents separately may be done at the discretion of the advisors.

    • A brief informational meeting will be held for prospective applicants during the school day (TBD). 

     

    How do I apply?

    • An application packet will be provided after/at the time of the invitation and meeting.

    • A sample of the application evaluation rubric is provided on the application.  

     

    Can I get help with the application?

    • Yes!  It helps to ask for assistance with the application or use Google to research formats you may not be familiar with. Ask your family!  Ask current members!  Advisors are happy to guide you.

     

    How will my application be evaluated?

    • Students must adhere to the rubric point system.  

    • As with GPAs, rubric points are not subject to rounding.

    • Portions of the completed evaluations by the Faculty Council may be discussed with the principal, however, fully completed rubrics are not shared for confidential reasons (see the section on Bylaws).

     

    When will I learn if I have been accepted or found ineligible?

    The evaluation process takes a few weeks to complete.  You will receive an email with a general letter of acceptance or ineligibility.

     

    Can I reapply if I am found ineligible?

    If you are a seventh-grade student and are invited to apply as you enter eighth grade, yes, you can reapply.

     

    If you are an eighth-grade student and are found ineligible, you cannot reapply.



    What happens if I am found ineligible?  Can I question my evaluation results?

    • Ineligibility has no bearing on your academic status.  This is a competitive program and evaluations are reviewed very seriously and thoroughly.

    • We recommend that students maintain high levels of standards for behavior and academic performance.  If you are ineligible at the end of 6th grade, you MAY be eligible at the end of 7th grade.  

    • Students can certainly question their evaluation results; an advisor is happy to speak to them.  However, rubrics/evaluators are kept confidential per the NJHS Constitution.

     

    Can I still apply in high school?

    Student eligibility, ineligibility, or participation in NJHS at High Mountain School does not prohibit or guarantee membership in high school-level programs.  Those programs are separate - National Honor Society (NHS).  Some district chapters include Grades 6-9 for the NJHS, but, as our district stops at Grade 8, Grade 9 candidacies are at the discretion of individual schools.



    Besides my grades, what else do I need to become a member?
    The application will spell out all the expectations for membership.

     

    Throughout their time at High Mountain School, students should:

    • Participate in numerous extracurricular activities such as sports, school clubs, volunteer programs, etc.

    • Hold themselves to a high standard of honesty, reliability responsibility, behavior, morals, and ethics; no detention slips should exist.

    • Show courtesy, concern, and respect for others.

    • Take criticism willingly and accept recommendations graciously.

    • Maintain healthy social relationships with others.

    • Note: If you receive an invitation, you must complete a time-sensitive, comprehensive application packet to showcase your qualifications and commitment to the five pillars (listed above). 



    If I am already a member, how do I retain my membership?
    Student members must:

    • Work towards maintaining their GPA (see average in Scholarship above).  Your grades will be monitored.

    • Attend monthly meetings set by the advisors.  Students may not have more than 2 absences.  Absences may be excused ONLY by an absence from school for the day or from a parent's email.

    • Accumulate service hours throughout the year - do not wait until the last minute - be proactive.

    • Adhere to the bylaws of the NJHS.

    • Strictly follow our district’s Code of Conduct.  Your behavior will be monitored.

    • Pay the yearly dues.



    Can I be removed from NJHS?

    • Yes.

    • Your efforts and behaviors reflect strongly on your continued membership.  

    • Your grades and conduct will be monitored.

    • Eighth graders should be aware that if they do not complete the required service hours or regularly attend meetings, they may not graduate with honor cords, the diploma seal, or be eligible for the NJHS graduation award.

    • Note: Your advisors will always communicate with you, encourage you, and attempt to help you.  Ultimately, it is up to you to do what is required and expected.

     

    What communication is acceptable?

    • Email  

    • In-person

    • Students are expected to communicate on their own.

    • Part of being a responsible character, leader, and citizen is being able to communicate ideas and concerns.

     

    For more general information please visit: https://www.njhs.us/students/membership/ 









    NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

    BYLAWS

    Definitions:

     

    1. National Junior Honor Society: The National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society are organizations that operate under the auspices of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

    2. Constitution of the National Honor Society: Contains standards of the National Honor Society membership.

    3. Local Chapter: Any secondary school which has a chapter from the National Council.

    4. Chapter Advisor: Responsible for direct day-to-day supervision of the chapter and for liaison between faculty, administration, students, and community. Chapter advisors are not voting members of the Faculty Council.

    5. Faculty Council: Five voting members appointed annually by the principal to select members, to consider dismissal, non-selection, and warning cases. Alternate council members will also be available.  The identity of Faculty Council members is confidential.

    6. Member: A candidate who has been inducted at a special ceremony.

    7. Applicant: A student who is eligible to apply but not yet accepted into the program.

    8. Principal: The principal has the right to approve all activities and decisions of the chapter. This authority extends to the selection and dismissal of members. The principal cannot serve as chapter advisor and is not a member of the voting Faculty Council, nor should the principal be included in the meetings of the Faculty Council, to avoid compromising his/her objectivity in hearing an appeal. The principal shall receive appeals within 10 days of receiving the rejection letter in cases of non-selection of candidates, and the disciplining or dismissal of members. The principal appoints and works closely with the chapter advisor and the Faculty Council to develop and follow fair selection and dismissal procedures consistent with the Constitution. In short, the principal must recognize the importance of the National Honor Society, be thoroughly familiar with the Handbook, and remain aware of the activities and procedures of the school’s Chapter.



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    A Final Note:
    Students invited and later selected to join NJHS will balance their academic excellence and well-rounded personal lives in a way that will benefit the NJHS - attributes we value in our district's students.

    This information is subject to change.

    Updated September 19, 2023