National Honor Society
Caddo Magnet High Academic and Arts Chapter
of the National Honor Society
Selection and Membership Information
The National Honor Society is one of the most prestigious organizations available to high school students. This organization makes a positive difference in the lives of individuals, in the spirit of the community, and in the school. Membership into National Honor Society is a privilege and an honor. Students do not apply for membership; instead, they provide information to be used by the local selection committee to support their candidacy. The Faculty Council selects students who exhibit outstanding performance in all four criteria of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Membership is based on grades, discipline, faculty approval, service, and student activities. A student who qualifies for membership into the Academic and Arts Chapter of the National Honor Society shall be enrolled at Caddo Parish Magnet High School in either the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade and shall agree to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the chapter.
NHS Requirements
Scholarship
Must maintain a cumulative 3.800 grade point average.
Leadership
Demonstrates initiative and exemplifies positive attitudes
Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school
Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school/community activities
Is dependable in any responsibility accepted
Service
Volunteers eight hours per semester and provides dependable assistance
Works well with others
Is willing to represent the school in scholastic competition
**Must show a history of service to be considered for membership (See "Community Service" section)
Character
Graciously accepts constructive criticism
Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior
Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
Is able to demonstrate an outstanding record of conduct and behavior with regard to school and community rules, guidelines, and policies
Has no disciplinary referrals in the office, including Honesty Policy and tardiness
National Honor Society Five Step Selection Process
1. After first semester grades are in, the Faculty Council compiles a list of all sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have a 3.800 grade point average.
2. The Faculty Council sends a list of prospective candidates to the assistant principal in charge of discipline. This administrator checks discipline files to ensure that candidates have not violated school rules.
3. The Faculty Council takes a compiled list of prospective candidates with a 3.800 and who have not violated school rules to the faculty for approval. The faculty reviews this list and has the opportunity to state relevant comments regarding prospective members. If two or more teachers write that a student regularly exhibits behaviors or attitudes not consistent with National Honor Society standards, the student will be denied membership for the current year.
4. With faculty approval, the candidates selected for membership receive student activity forms that each student fills out and turns in at a specified time. The purpose of this form is to find out about community service and school organizations.
5. The Faculty Council makes the final selection, and the sponsor sends notes to those who will be inducted into NHS.
**Community Service**
Sometimes it appears that there is a fine line in deciding what constitutes approved service. We have adopted the policy that participating in a worship service does not fit the definition of community service. Activities must make a positive contribution to the wider community. Eligible community service examples include work in soup kitchens, group projects in shelters, building for Habitat for Humanity, and volunteering in senior citizens' centers. Examples of ineligible activities are assisting and participating in worship services, ushering, teaching Sunday School, or baby-sitting during services. Working in Vacation Bible School or going on mission trips is something you are already doing with a particular group and will not count as NHS service unless it involves some of the eligible examples given above.
Questions and Answers About Service
How many service hours do I need for the year?
You need eight hours per semester.
Where can I find service opportunities, and do they have to be with NHS?
Service projects are on the bulletin board across from C-1. Your hours are not limited to NHS. You may count hours from Interact, Z Club, Key Club, etc.
Why can't I do all of my hours at one time, like in the summer?
NHS promotes regular volunteerism, not just once or twice a year.
Does that mean my extra hours are wasted?
A large number of volunteer hours is a positive indicator on your college applications. Also, you may use two of your summer hours each semester toward your eight hours.
How do I verify my volunteer service?
Record your hours in the notebooks on the door of C-1 (Mrs. Morehead's door). Give us current information. Do not procrastinate, or you will forget!
Non-Selection of Candidates
The NHS sponsor will have a list of all students eligible for NHS who have a 3.8 grade point average and a record of those whose names were eliminated due to disciplinary actions, non-teacher approval, lack of service, and lack of student activities. Students may check with this sponsor to find out why membership was denied. If denial was due to faculty disapproval, the student may request that the Faculty Council meet with the teachers involved and review the reasons for disapproval. The Faculty Council makes the decision and relates this decision to the student. The principal shall receive appeals in cases of non-selection.
Probation and Dismissal
The Faculty Council reviews grades, discipline, and service hours each semester. Any student having below a 3.800 GPA or any student who does not have the required 8 hours will be advised in writing of his standing and will have one semester to restore the minimum standards before dismissal. Any NHS member who receives office referrals, including tardiness, will be informed in writing that he or she is on probation for one semester. During probation, other referrals result in dismissal. Academic dishonesty or school suspension results in dismissal. Juniors who do not fulfill the required service hours will be dismissed after school is out. Seniors who do not fulfill the required service hours will be dismissed at the beginning of second semester. The Faculty Council sends a written notification of dismissal to the member. Members who fall below the standards that were the basis for their selection shall be promptly warned in writing by the chapter adviser and given a reasonable amount of time to correct the deficiency, except in the case of flagrant violation of school rules or the law, a member does not have to be warned.? The Faculty Council shall determine when an individual has exceeded a reasonable number of warnings.? In all cases of pending dismissal, a member shall have a right to a hearing before the Faculty Council. For purposes of dismissal, a majority vote of the Faculty Council is required.? A member who has been dismissed may appeal the decision of the Faculty Council to the principal.
Transfer Students
With a letter from his or her respective chapter, a student having previously been a member NHS at his or her school will be accepted into Caddo Magnet's Chapter.
Sponsor | Deborah Morehead