Fremont
High School

Frequently Asked Questions

Isn't NHS just another honor roll?
No! As stated on the official NHS website (www.nhs.us), NHS is more than just an honor roll. The NHS chapter establishes rules for membership that are based upon a student's outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These four criteria for selection form the foundation upon which the organization and its activities are built.

Is it possible for a student with a 4.0 grade-point-average to NOT be selected?
Yes. Membership to National Honor Society is based on academics, leadership, character, and service. Academics are only a portion of the criteria.

Who is eligible?
Eligible students can be any junior or senior that has a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater. (Set by the local chapter of National Honor Society at Fremont High School.)

How do I apply?
Students do NOT apply. National Honor Society is an award given to students to recognize those who have displayed excellence in scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Shortly after the first semester is completed I will generate a list of juniors and seniors who meet the scholarship requirement. Each of these students will receive a letter and be encouraged to fill out an information sheet. This sheet will provide the selection council information regarding service activities.

What do the members of NHS do?
The members assist in parent-teacher conferences, work at low-income ministry during the Christmas season, lead the induction ceremony, distribute programs at graduation, and other service activities chosen by the group.

Components & Their Definitions

The four components of National Honor Society are: Character, Scholarship, Service, and Leadership.

As defined on the official NHS website (www.nhs.us):

Scholarship: "Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 85 percent, B, 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent standard of excellence, or a higher cumulative average, set 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."
(NHS Constitution, Article IX, section 2)

Note: The local chapter of Fremont High School has set the minimum cumulative grade point average to be 3.5.

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.

Examples of service include, but are not limited to, church activities, Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, candy striper, blood donation, etc. Service associated with senior option or classroom assignments are not accepted as examples of service.

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 activity 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.

National Honor Society members are chosen for and then expected to continue their exemplary contributions to the school and community.

Selection Process & Timeline

How are the students selected?
Students (juniors and seniors) that have a cumulative GPA 3.5 or higher are invited to complete an "information sheet". This sheet includes co-curricular activities, service activities, community activities/employment. This is NOT an application. It provides the selection council information to make a sound decision. This sheet is distributed to the students at the conclusion of first semester.

A list of candidates is distributed to each Fremont High School faculty/staff member in order that they can rate each student on character and leadership.

The faculty/staff members' ratings are averaged and each student has a leadership composite and character composite number. The number of responses are also computed. This information is also given to the selection council. The selection council is composed of five faculty members appointed by the principal. This portion of the process is completed at the end of January.

The selection council reviews the information sheets, character average, leadership average, and the number of responses. Members of the selection council are responsible to gather information on the candidates (from other faculty/staff members, service sponsor, etc). The major aspects that the council take into consideration are: character composite number, leadership composite number, amount/type of service (not including those from senior option or classroom assignments), and other comments submitted by the faculty/staff.

After the council reviews all of the available information they vote on the candidate. If there are a majority (at least three of five) of "yes" votes the candidate is selected for National Honor Society. If not, then the candidate is not selected for National Honor Society. These meetings take place in early February.

Each student that is selected to take part in the installation ceremony will receive a letter (mailed out in February) congratulating them and inviting them to a breakfast. This letter will also outline expectations of a NHS member and provide information regarding the installation ceremony.

Making Myself A Strong Candidate

Often times juniors are considered, but not selected for NHS. This could be due to lack of service activities, low character and/or leadership scores from the faculty/staff, negative comments made by faculty/staff, or a low number of teachers feeling that they know the student well enough to rate him/her.

We encourage those in this category to accumulate these experiences and/or qualities for consideration as seniors.

How Can I Make Myself a Strong Candidate for NHS?
I.) Maintain a grade point average of 3.50 or higher and have junior or senior status.

II.) Volunteer service activities to the community and/or school.

III.) Display strong leadership qualities. The student who exercises leadership:

> Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions.
> Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities.
> Exercises influence on peers in upholding school ideals.
> Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of school.
> Is able to delegate responsibilities.
> Exemplifies positive attitudes.
> Inspires positive behavior in others.
> Demonstrates academic initiative.
> Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducting business effectively and efficiently, and without prodding, demonstrates reliability and dependability.
> Is a forerunner in the classroom, at work, and in school or community activities.
> Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.

IV.) Display strong character qualities. The student of character:

> Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.
> Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability).
> Upholds principles of morality and ethics.
> Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, program, office, halls, etc.
> Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability.
> Shows courtesy, concern and respect for others.
> Observes instructions and rules, punctuality and faithfulness both inside and outside the classroom.
> Has powers of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies.
> Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others.
> Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment.

If you still have a question or concern regarding the National Honor Society, please contact
Scott Wagner, National Honor Society Sponsor, at the Fremont Senior High School