The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.
Interest & Selection Status
Each Spring, Guidance provides the academic information for our 7th grade class and those who are academically eligible are invited to joining our NJHS Candidates Classroom and begin the process by completion of the Student Information Form. If that is received by the date it is due, the forms will be evaluated by our Faculty Council and the determination will be made for selection. Communication will follow.
Our selection process for NJHS is a rigorous and objective one. A student’s academic performance is only the first criteria that is considered and corresponds to the Scholarship value of our organization. Following that initial invitation to provide more information, students are given an opportunity to demonstrate evidence of excellence in several other areas of Character, Leadership, Citizenship, Service, and to provide two teachers who would give recommendations. We have a Faculty Council of 6 including our Dean of Students and a clear rubric to follow. Candidates complete the Students Information Form and from that completed form, the rubric is applied to make our determination.
If you have any questions regarding the Interest & Selection process you are more than welcome to reach out to the group Advisors, Mrs. Burega and Mrs. McGuire
Criteria for Selection to NJHS
- Scholarship: Students eligible for selection to the Draper NJHS must be in 7th grade and have a minimum combined minimum unweighted 6 quarter Average of 92.5 or higher.
- Character: A student with character must demonstrate the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and citizenship. Candidates will be selected on their ability to demonstrate and uphold these standards. 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 maintains a good and healthy lifestyle. Our expectation is no office referrals and minimal disciplinary history. Rubric points adjust for frequency of minor offenses (ex. tardy). Students with a history of discipline resulting in referrals from grades 6-7 will not be considered.
- 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. Leadership may be demonstrated by selection (ex, team captain), by election (ex. Class representative or club officer), or civic awards earned for leadership (ex. Student of the month)
- 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. Candidates for membership are expected to have completed a minimum of 5 hours of community service hours.
- Citizenship: Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the importance of civic involvement, have high regard for freedom, justice, and respect for their role as young citizens, and demonstrate mature participation and responsibility through involvement in school clubs and community organizations.
Induction into NJHS
The NJHS Induction is held each year during the first two weeks of June. Students inducted in June of their 7th Grade year will be considered NJHS Members for the following school year as 8th Grade students.
Requirements to Maintain Membership
- Academic Review: Once a candidate has been inducted, students are responsible for maintaining a cumulative average of 90 or higher. The chapter advisor will review grades at the end of each quarter. Members who fall below the required GPA will be given a warning as soon as quarter grades become available.
- Discipline Review: NJHS members are expected to demonstrate exemplary behavior. Students who have discipline resulting in referrals will not qualify for acceptance in the NJHS. Once inducted, no Level 3 or 4 referral can be received.
- Probationary Status for Academics or Discipline: While we do not anticipate that our NJHS members will encounter any problems with academics or behavior, probationary status is intended to provide a second chance to remain in good standing.
- Removal from NJHS: If a student falls below a cumulative average of 90 or higher during a marking period, the student will be on probation and will have one marking period to raise the cumulative average to the minimum. NJHS members may have only one probationary period during their middle school membership. Additional issues with grades or discipline will result in removal from NJHS.
Community Service / Student Activities (After Induction): Once a candidate has been inducted, Members are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of community service hours annually, 5 of which must be done within club-sponsored activities, including Make a Difference Day in October of each year. Examples of community service are found in the chart below. Students are encouraged to acquire all community service hours within the school and district. Students will be given log sheets to keep track of their community service hours. The log sheets will be posted as an assignment in the NJHS Google Classroom and should be kept up to date throughout the school year.
Advisors: Melyssa Burega and Jennifer McGuire
Examples of eligible Volunteer Service
Helping with food and clothing drives
Church projects
Working at soup kitchens
Citizen with Disability Assistance
Animal care/shelter work
Camp or park volunteer
Aid to the elderly
Service done with school clubs/groups
Cooking/Serving at Ronald McDonald House
Working at school carnivals/events
Library work
Meals on Wheels
Tutoring
Big Brother/Big Sister
Helping teachers in their classrooms
Examples of Ineligible Volunteer Service Activities
Singing in the choir at religious services
Babysitting for friends or family
Helping grandparents
Family business
Working on a political campaign
Sports team membership
Band participation
Chorus participation