The National Junior Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1929. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.
Membership into the NJHS is by invitation only to 7th and 8th grade students. Students must fulfill the basic requirement of achieving a 94.0 GPA in their core subjects and have been enrolled for a period of one semester here at Barkalow.
Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students and shall be based on the criteria of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. The first step is the determination of eligibility.
- Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the seventh or eighth grade class.
- To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester here at Barkalow.
- Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative (sixth grade through present) grade point average of 94.0 in their core subjects (Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies). GPA reports are run at the end of the first marking period and are inclusive of 6th grade, 7th grades and marking period one of 8th grade.
- Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, character and citizenship.
- Students and their families will be notified via letter regarding the student's eligibility.
- An eligibility meeting will be held for those students to review the application process.
- Scholarship
Students must first meet this criterion to become candidates for membership. The Scholarship cumulative average required is a GPA of 94. To obtain the maximum score in this area, students can have no more than 5 unexcused absences and/or tardies. If they have more than 11 unexcused absences and/or tardies, this will bring them to the lowest possible score.
- Service
This involves voluntary contributions made by a student and done without compensation. We require evidence of service to either the school, the community or both. Twelve or more community service hours (in/out of the community or at school) will provide the maximum score in this category. Nine or less hours of documented community services will provide them with the lowest score. Reminder that all services hours must be documented. If there is no documentation, the hours will not count. - Leadership
Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others. We require evidence of leadership from within school or the community or both. Three or more leadership positions will provide the maximum score in this category. No leadership experience will provide the lowest score. - Character
The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others. Disciplinary records are reviewed when evaluating this criterion. Three recommendations from faculty members with scores of all 4's will provide the maximum score in this category. Any applicant receiving a score of 1 from any teacher recommendation will generate the lowest score in the category. - Citizenship
In general, the student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic engagement; has a high regard for freedom and justice; and respects democracy. Attendance at four school events will provide the maximum score in this category. Participation in one activity, only will provide the lowest score.
The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the faculty council. The selection of active members shall be held once a year in the month of January. Prior to the final selection, the following shall occur:
- Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
- All students who are eligible scholastically shall be notified at the end of marking period one and asked to complete and submit the candidate information form for further consideration.
- The faculty shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible.
- The faculty council shall review the candidate information forms, faculty input, and other relevant information to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership.
- Students/parents will be notified via letter of the students acceptance/non-acceptance to the society.
- An induction ceremony is held at the end of the winter season for those accepted students.
Students who accept membership and are inducted into the chapter should be aware of the time and commitment involved with their membership. These obligations may include chapter meetings, chapter service projects and individual service requirements.