National Junior Honor Society

Seventh graders who have maintained an average of 90% or above for their entire sixth grade year and the first two trimesters of seventh grade are eligible for membership in the St. Louis School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. Eighth graders who have maintained an average of 90% or above for their entire seventh grade year and the first two trimesters of eighth grade are eligible for membership in the St. Louis School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. After the second trimester, students will receive a letter and detailed instructions for completing the selection form. The selection form provides information regarding each student’s service, leadership, character, citizenship, and scholarship. Failure to follow the instructions or return the completed application before the deadline indicates that the student is not interested in membership.

The goal for candidates is to show how they demonstrate everyday Scholarship - a commitment to learning and growing on an educational path; everyday Service - seeking out and engaging in meaningful service (not just joining a club or organization to fulfill a requirement or collect hours); everyday Leadership - carrying oneself with dignity and taking ownership and responsibility for one’s own actions and participation; everyday Character - valuing diverse cultures and building relationships that reflect love of self, but also concern for others; everyday Citizenship - accepting one’s place and role in the community and seeking to understand the strengths and concerns of that community.

Once all selection forms are received, an undisclosed five-member Faculty Council will review them and make a final decision regarding admittance into NJHS. Though high academics grant the student the opportunity to apply to the National Junior Honor Society, it does not guarantee admittance. The Faculty Council considers all the aforementioned categories and places a high premium on character, defined in the NJHS handbook as “an outstanding record of conduct and behavior with regard to school and community rules.”

One way the Faculty Council reviews the record of good character is through the history of disciplinary notices which the student has received. The school will inform the candidates as to whether or not they have been accepted, and those who have been accepted will take part in an induction ceremony. The student’s membership is not transferable to any high school and is subject to good behavior and participation. It is the aim of the St. Louis School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society not to be an elitist organization, but rather one of service to our school and the greater community.

Please send any questions to [email protected]