The Purpose of the National Honor Society

If you are just entering high school, you’ve probably already heard about the National Honor Society (NHS). But what exactly is it, and how can it benefit you? The NHS is one of the oldest and most respected student organizations in the U.S., recognizing high school students for their academic excellence, leadership, service, and character.

Membership can open doors to scholarships, leadership opportunities, and personal growth. It also encourages lifelong habits of learning and community engagement. Many NHS students go on to pursue higher education, and universities like University of the People share these same values of accessibility, leadership, and service through flexible, tuition-free degree programs.

Key Takeaways

• The National Honor Society recognizes high school students who demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership, service, and character.

• Membership can strengthen college and scholarship applications by showcasing well-rounded achievement.

• NHS promotes community involvement, leadership development, and personal integrity.

• Eligibility is based on GPA, service hours, and character, though specific requirements vary by school.

• Joining NHS helps prepare you for future academic and professional success by fostering responsibility, teamwork, and initiative.

What is the National Honor Society?

The National Honor Society (NHS) is one of the oldest and most recognized student organizations in American high schools, with 1.4 million members. NHS promotes scholarship, leadership, service, and character among students.

Membership is based on the four pillars: scholarship, character, leadership, and service, and is awarded by a Faculty Council. Established in 1921 by Dr. Edward Rynearson, NHS now has over 17,000 chapters, including the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and the National Elementary Honor Society. NHS allows local chapters to innovate within its national framework, ensuring its principles are upheld.

What is the National Junior Honor Society?

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) started just eight years after the National Honor Society, in 1929, by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). NJHS is an international organization for middle school students (grades 6-9) that promotes the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

Membership is based on these core values, and students are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0, though this can vary by school. With over one million members worldwide, NJHS provides young students with opportunities to develop their academic and leadership skills, preparing them for future success.

The Purpose of the National Honor Society

The NHS is all about recognizing and promoting excellence in high school students. It’s not just about hitting the books hard, though that’s a big part of it. NHS also focuses on developing leadership skills, encouraging community service, and building strong character. By being part of NHS, students are motivated to aim higher academically and become role models in their schools.

NHS also emphasizes giving back to the community. Members get involved in various service projects, learning the value of helping others and making a positive impact. Plus, it’s a great way to build character, teaching students the importance of honesty, respect, and responsibility. Overall, NHS aims to prepare students for future success by fostering a well-rounded development that includes academics, leadership, service, and personal integrity.

How Can You Become a Member of the National Honor Society?

Are you ready to excel, serve, lead, and succeed? If you thrive on challenges and achievements, then becoming a member of the NHS could be the perfect opportunity for you. Membership in NHS is a prestigious honor that begins with a local selection process and culminates in an induction ceremony into your school’s NHS chapter.

To get started, find out if your school has an NHS chapter by checking your student handbook or speaking with the main office. The chapter adviser, a designated faculty member, can give you information about the GPA requirements and the timeline for the selection process. NHS membership offers exclusive resources, programs, and services that pave the way for lifelong success in both college and career pursuits.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for NHS membership, students in grades 10-12 must have been enrolled at their current school for at least one semester and meet the GPA requirement set by their local chapter. Beyond academic qualifications, candidates are evaluated on four key pillars we mentioned at the start of this article:

• Scholarship: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 85, a B average, or a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Some chapters may set an even higher GPA standard.
• Service: Demonstrated by voluntary contributions to the school or community without any financial compensation. Each chapter defines specific service requirements.
• Leadership: Evidenced by resourcefulness, problem-solving abilities, and contributions to school or community initiatives. Leadership can be shown through various roles and activities.
• Character: Exemplified by honesty, reliability, courtesy, respect for others, and a clean disciplinary record. The local chapter establishes criteria for assessing character.

What Are the Benefits of Being in the National Honor Society?

There are several reasons why high school students may be interested in becoming members. The NHS offers many benefits listed below, as well as a sense of community and pride in its members.

LEAD Conferences

LEAD, which stands for Leadership, Experience, and Development, conferences are held on weekends throughout the year and are open only to NHS and Junior NHS members. These conferences help build leadership skills and networking opportunities.

National Student Leadership Week

Every year, individual schools participate in National Student Leadership Week to celebrate and recognize the leaders in their school community. As a member of NHS, you could be one of these recognized student leaders, or you could help plan the events.

State Summits

Local state summits are mentorship and networking events held exclusively for NHS members within their home state. State leaders attend the summit, and students get the opportunity for discussion and collaboration on real-world situations happening in their communities.

College Scholarships

The National Honor Society offers college scholarships to its members in good standing.
There are over 400 scholarship programs with the NHS each year. They also have a database on their website with many other options that accept NHS members.

College Admission

Including that you have been a member of NHS in high school is an appealing addition to your college application. In addition to this, the National Honor Society holds webinars to help you get the inside scoop on how college admissions work, and how you can submit the best application for your college goals.

College Planning

NHS also offers college planning services, including step-by-step guides and webinars for preparing for college, as well as information on various top colleges on their website.

Financial Aid Planning

The National Honor Society can connect its members with financial aid advisors that can help you plan financially for college. They also offer plenty of articles and guides on their website.

Service Projects

Finally, the NHS gives you many resources for participating in community service projects. They have a large database of community service opportunities that members can access. NHS keeps members accountable for completing the service hours, which looks great on your college application or resume.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

What Happens if I Am Denied Membership?

If, for whatever reason, your application for NHS membership is denied, you may appeal the decision at the local level. This will likely be at your own high school. Try to reach out to an advisor or guidance counselor to find out why your application was denied. Perhaps a higher grade was submitted late and affected your GPA, or perhaps you didn’t have enough community service hours.

You won’t receive an explanation for why your application was denied, so if the answers aren’t clear, reflect on your past year and how they may or may not align with NHS values.

Whatever the reason, you may apply the following year with a higher GPA and more community service hours. Don’t worry about your denied application, as there will be no record of it on your transcripts.

What Do Members of the National Honor Society Do?

The first thing you will do as a member of the National Honor Society is attend the local induction ceremony with your high school peers. This usually includes special entrances from guests, guest speakers, an official welcome from local leaders, stating the honor society pledge, and an opportunity to meet other NHS members.

Throughout the rest of the year, National Honor Society members may attend chapter meetings and are required to volunteer a certain number of hours. NHS members are also invited to exclusive leadership events such as state summits, national leadership conferences, and more, so take advantage of these great benefits!

Photo by Anna Earl on Unsplash

How To Get Into the National Honor Society

1. Embodying NHS Values

The four values of the NHS, leadership, academics, character, and service, must be shown in your application to the National Honor Society. For this, maintain your GPA at a 3.0 minimum, find an organization to complete your community service hours, take standardized tests seriously, seek out leadership opportunities in your community, and stay clean and out of trouble.

2. Researching Your School’s Chapter

If your high school does not have a chapter, there will likely be another local chapter at a neighboring school. Find out where your chapter is and look up specific entry and membership maintenance requirements before applying.

3. Find a Teacher to Nominate You for NHS

As part of the application, you will need a teacher who knows you well to nominate you. This usually requires nothing more than a signature or a simple letter. It is best to ask a teacher that you have a personal relationship with.

Is a National Honor Society Membership Worth It?

Photo by Yingchou Han on Unsplash

For a long time, being a member of the National Honor Society (NHS) was seen as essential for admission into a good college. NHS members are recognized as leaders with proven community engagement, service, and academic commitment.

However, since NHS membership has become more common, some students wonder if it still offers a competitive advantage. While GPA and service are already part of college admissions, NHS membership remains a meaningful way to demonstrate leadership and consistency in these areas.

If your school already requires volunteer hours or encourages leadership participation, joining NHS may not require much additional effort — but it can still add structure, accountability, and recognition for what you’re already doing.

Ultimately, the value of NHS goes beyond your college application. It provides an early foundation in collaboration, ethics, and service; qualities that benefit you long after graduation. Continuing to build on those values in college, through community engagement or leadership programs, will always set you apart in your academic and professional journey.

FAQs

What does the National Honor Society look for in students?

The National Honor Society looks for students who show academic excellence, leadership potential, strong character, and a record of community service. Each local chapter may set its own GPA and service hour requirements, but all members are expected to embody integrity, responsibility, and initiative.

How do you qualify for the National Honor Society in high school?

To qualify for the National Honor Society, you generally need to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher (or its equivalent), complete volunteer or community service hours, and show leadership through school or extracurricular activities. Some schools may also require teacher recommendations or an application essay.

Does being in the National Honor Society help you get into college?

Yes. While NHS membership alone doesn’t guarantee admission, it strengthens your college application by demonstrating leadership, service, and consistent academic performance. Admissions officers view NHS involvement as evidence of well-rounded achievement and civic engagement.

What are the benefits of joining the National Honor Society for students?

Students who join the National Honor Society gain access to scholarship opportunities, leadership conferences, mentorship programs, and community service projects. NHS membership also builds teamwork, public-speaking skills, and confidence — all useful in college and future careers.

Can you join the National Honor Society without being nominated?

Typically, no. Most schools require a teacher or staff member to nominate eligible students who meet GPA and service criteria. However, you can express interest to your school’s NHS adviser, who can guide you through the eligibility and nomination process.

How much community service do you need for National Honor Society?

Service hour requirements vary by chapter, but most high schools expect between 20 and 40 hours of community service per academic year. Hours can include volunteering at local charities, tutoring peers, or organizing school events.

What happens after you’re accepted into the National Honor Society?

Once accepted, you’ll participate in an induction ceremony and begin completing service projects, attending chapter meetings, and engaging in leadership activities. Members are expected to uphold NHS standards throughout high school to remain in good standing.

Is joining the National Honor Society worth it?

Joining the NHS is worth it if you’re looking to grow academically and personally. It provides recognition for your achievements, builds your resume, and offers networking and scholarship opportunities that can benefit you long after graduation.