Joining NHS


Overview

The National Honor Society ranks as one of the most prestigious organizations for high school students. At Capeside High School, our chapter is more than just a collection of students who have reached a high grade point average. They are academically excellent students who are dedicated to service in the community, leaders through involvement in school activities, and young men and women who demonstrate exceptional character.

Selection to the National Honor Society is a privilege, and not a right. Students do not apply for membership; instead, they provide information to be used by the selection committee to support their candidacy for membership. The Capeside High School chapter is composed of juniors and seniors who have satisfied the following requirements:

1. Scholarship:
Candidates must have earned a 3.5 cumulative grade point average. This is calculated from first semester, 9th grade through 1st semester 11th grade.

2. Leadership:
Candidates should hold school offices or other positions of responsibility; be leaders in the classroom, in extra-curricular activities, and/or at work; participate in the classroom, in extra-curricular activities, and/or at work; demonstrate a continuous commitment to any responsibility accepted.

3. Service:
Candidates will participate in community activities or actions that are done with or on behalf of others without direct financial or material compensation. Whatever service they participate in they should be dependable, willing to sacrifice to offer assistance, and cheerfully and enthusiastically offer their time and energy. Candidates are required to complete 50 hours of community service by the end of the 1st semester of their junior year. This needs to be documented on a Community Service Form.

4. Character:
Candidates will demonstrate excellence of character in their actions. They will represent the school and community in a positive manner that is worthy of this prestigious honor. Character is demonstrated through the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship.


Timeline

  • February 1 - Letters of invitation are sent out to eligible juniors. To be eligible, students must have an unweighted gpa of 3.5 or higher. The letter will provide students with proper credentials to access the online application.
  • February 20 - Online applications must be complete. This includes listing all activities with verifications, writing the required essay and submitting letters of reference.
  • March 1 - Students will be notified, in writing, of their acceptance or denial.

Application


Rubric

  • Scholarship: 3.5 -> 3.75 = 1pt, 3.76 -> 3.85 = 2pts, 3.86 -> 4.0 = 3 pts
  • Service: 50 - 60 hrs = 1 pt, 61-75 hrs = 2 pts, 75+ hrs = 3 pts
  • Character: Average = 1pt, Good = 2 pts, Excellent = 3pts (based on activity confirmation ratings)
  • Leadership:
    • EXEMPLARY: Essay is well organized; demonstrates style and clarity. Provides thorough explanation of leadership activity. Uses precise language consistently appropriate to the purpose in a style that engages the reader.
    • GOOD: Essay shows relevant and sufficient examples of student leadership. Uses language appropriate to the purpose. Demonstrates a command of standard English conventions with occasional minor errors.

    no leadership position and exemplary essay = 1pt
    1 leadership position and good essay = 1 pt
    1 leadership position and exemplary essay = 2 pts
    2+ leadership positions and good essay = 2 pts
    3+ leadership positions and exemplary essay = 3 pts
APPLICANTS NEED AT LEAST 8 POINTS FOR ACCEPTANCE WITH AT LEAST 1 POINT IN EACH CATEGORY.

Current Members


Overview

National Honor Society is more than an honor roll. The objective of the Capeside High School chapter of NHS is to recognize and foster enthusiasm for scholarship, to promote the development of strong character, to encourage positive leadership, and to cultivate responsible citizenship through service to school and community. These four principles shape the organization's activities and are reflected in the members' responsibilities.

To remain a CHS NHS member in good standing, students must:
  • maintain a gpa of 3.5 or higher
  • act as a positive role model and representative of Capeside High School
  • maintain excellence in integrity in leadership, scholarship, character, and service
  • attend all NHS meetings
  • participate in an additional 30 hours of community service before graduation

A member is never automatically dismissed for failing to maintain standards. But members should understand that they are liable for dismissal if they do not maintain the standards of scholarship, leadership, service, and character that were used as the basis for their selection. They should also be informed that they are allowed limited warnings during their membership but that in the case of a flagrant violation of school rules or civil laws, a warning is not necessarily required. Furthermore, a student who is dismissed or who resigns may never again become an Honor Society member.


Service Opportunities

Upcoming service opportunities include:

Service Submission

Within three days following a service activity, members must submit the following form. (form should include student name, activity, date, hours, description, supervisor name, supervisor email). Failure to submit this form in a timely manner will negate the hours earned.


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