Program of Studies 2011-2012 - Gorham High School!

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Student interested in applying for membership in the National Honor Society must:
1. Be a junior or senior with a cumulative GPA of 90.0 or above: staple a transcript to your completed
application.
2. Have been involved in three or more school-related extra-curricular activities over the course of their high
school experience.
The application process consists of the following:
1. The student will fill out the administrative section of the application, which documents GPA, extracurricular
activities and community service.
2. The student will have two faculty members, whose classes s/he has taken, complete recommendations.
3. The student will write an essay illustrating his/her understanding of the Four Pillars of NHS and his/her
interest in becoming a member of NHS.
*Any late or incomplete applications will not be considered for review.
The following criteria will be used for the selection of new members:
1. The student’s extra-curricular activities* will be weighted:
• Three activities = 1 point
• Four activities = 2 points
• Five activities = 3 points
• Six activities or more = 4 points
2. The student’s community service involvement** will be weighted:
• Five hours or less = 1 point
• Five to ten hours = 2 points
• Ten to nineteen hours = 3 points
• Twenty hours or more = 4 points
3. The teacher recommendations will be averaged together, providing a 1-4 scaled score, will consider the
following areas:
• Punctuality and attendance
• Classroom leadership
• Effort and attitude
• Participation
4. All faculty members will be provided with a list of students who have applied. Faculty members will then
have a chance to share confidentially any concerns they may have regarding applicants with the Faculty
Council. The following criteria will be used:
• Two or more concerns/negative responses = 0 points
• One concern/negative response = 1 point
• No responses = 2 points
• One commendation/positive response =3 points
• Two or more commendations/positive responses = 4 points
The maximum score that can be achieved in each category is a four, resulting in a total possible 16
points. Students who earn 14 points (88%) are considered strong candidates for membership in the National
Honor Society. This numeric system is used as a baseline for applicants, and the Faculty Council reserves the
right to deny or accept new membership regardless of the number of points received on the application. As the
national organization requires, the decisions of membership cannot be based on a numeric system alone. The
essay section of the application is an opportunity for the student to articulate his/her qualities that will make
him/her a distinguished member of the National Honor Society.
The Faculty Council consists of five faculty members who volunteer on an annual basis to fill the
positions. The NHS Advisor is a non-voting member whose responsibility regarding the selection of new
members is to organize the process.
ATHLETICS and NCAA REQUIREMENTS
All student athletes who anticipate playing Division 1 or Division 2 college sports need to adhere to NCAA
eligibility requirements and register with the NCAA clearinghouse (usually done after completion of junior year).
Please see www.ncaa.org and www.ncaaclearinghouse.net for the current information on approved high school
courses and see your guidance counselor if you have any questions.
Program of Studies: 2011-2012 Page 6