Attention all 7th and 8th graders! If you wish to apply for the National Junior Honor Society, print the application and fill it out. Print the teacher recommendation forms separately because they will be given to your teachers to fill out. All of the filled out forms are due to Mr. Lovelace by Friday, February 16th.
Established in 1929, the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is one of the nation’s premier organizations established to recognize outstanding middle level students. NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1929.
Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS (High School) and NJHS (Middle School). NHS and NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service. (Taken from www.nhs.us. Accessed 12/1/19)
At Mill Creek Academy, in accordance with national standards set by NJHS, interested students must qualify, demonstrating success in the area of scholarship. That means, students in 7th or 8th grade with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 on a 4 point scale can request application packet. Students will be required complete an application packet, providing give examples of their accomplishments in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. Therefore, just because a student qualifies based on their cumulative GPA (scholarship), does not mean they will automatically be inducted into the NJHS. Interested students must turn in their completed application packet by the deadline.
In addition to the application packet, students must have 3 required recommendation forms from teachers and/or other adults, all of their qualifications will be reviewed by our Faculty Council. The Faculty Council is an anonymous group of faculty members who make final decisions about who will be invited for induction into the NJHS. The Faculty Council also serves as the group who determines if a student should be dismissed because of a failure to meet expectations in one of the five areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, or Citizenship. The NJHS sponsors do not have a vote on the Faculty Council and will not be making any decisions regarding acceptance, rejection, or dismissal.
Scholarship: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 (on a 4.0 scale), as established by the local school’s Faculty Council, meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, and character (and citizenship for NJHS).
Service: This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit.
Leadership: Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.
Character: The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and generally maintains a good and clean lifestyle.
The goal of NJHS is to build leaders and promote service. Other than that, the activities are up to the NJHS members. Each student will also select his/her own service projects each nine weeks that best reflect his/her personal interests.
One of the best things you can do as a 6th grader is to have really strong grades. You should work hard every day in school because as a 7th grade inductee, you will qualify in the area of scholarship based on your grades. Also, becoming involved in school clubs and activities, following all school rules and being a great role model for other students will give you strong teacher recommendations. In addition, outside of school, you can begin to track community service hours (work in which you don’t receive some kind of pay) in order to strengthen your information sheet.
Our NJHS in ACTION!
