Know anything about "National Jr. Honor Society"?

[mamamary]

My son in Midd. School just brought home a letter asking him if he would like to apply to be in the National Junior Honor Society. I honestly know nothing about it and the paperwork that came home wasn't very informing. So I thought I'd see if anyone knew anything here before I contact his school for more info.

Thanks.

 

[mjkacmom]

I've never heard of it, and dd13 has been on the high honor roll with all honors classes for almost 2 years now.

 

[sharlon]

NJHS is part of the National Honor Society (except for younger grades). It recognizes students with high academic achievement (think 3.75 and above on a 4.0 scale, usually). Not all schools have chapters. It's like other national clubs, the school has to charter a chapter and abide by the national guidelines.
At DD's school, you can be invited at the end of 6th grade, then must maintain your grades to stay in. In addition, the students have to complete and document a certain number of service hours each year. There is an induction and recognition ceremony which is usually held in Feb. or March, but has been moved to May this year thanks to snow. Oh, and as a special event for NJHS members, there is a special field trip to a local summer camp (we live in the mountains, so those places are everywhere) for swimming and adventure activities that is held at the end of the school year.

 

[tinkntraining]

They have it in our middle school, too (available to 7th and 8th graders only). It is very much like the National Honor Society that you may be familiar with. It is an honor to be nominated (based upon academic eligibility). But it is even a bigger honor to be selected. To be considered, you must fill out an application, and new members are chosen based upon leadership, scholarship and community service.

It's been my experience that it takes more than academic success to be selected -- it is really based upon being a well-rounded and caring citizen.

In middle school, it really is just a public acknowledgment of hard-work and citizenship, kind of a stepping stone to the REAL national organization in high school. But, an honor nonetheless.

Congrats to your son for the nomination!

 

[hemispheredancer]

DD was in it for 2 years. She has great grades, participated in band, had art awards, etc. She had teacher recs and made it in with no problem. At the end of the year she got an award. She had to attend all meetings, too.

 

[ndelaware]

My daughters are in it.

Here is a link to the oficial site:

http://www.nhs.us/Membership.aspx

 

[mamamary]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think we will go ahead and try to get him in. Unfortunately he doesn't have alot of leadership roles - he mostly is involved with just sports. It can't hurt to try though right?

 

[laurafergie]

It's a good thing to do and gets him ready for the real NHS in high school, which looks great on college applications.

 

[mamacatnv]

DD's school just started a Jr. NHS in the elementary school - DD is in 5th grade, not sure how far down into the younger grades the invites went but same idea, must have a 3.5, a teacher recommendation and good citizenship grades. I'm thinking it is not that big of a deal in the younger set but a good primer for the "real" thing in high school

 

[agnes!]

It's a good thing to do and gets him ready for the real NHS in high school, which looks great on college applications.

Yeah, but in our system the students have to be 'anointed' by a panel to get in (along with having a threshold GPA or above, getting recommendations and writing 2 or 3 essays). Now, knowing all this, tell me why, a certain HS student I know who has the smarts (at least a 4.3GPA + mid-90s percentile on the PSAT), who shows leadership (is an officer in one club and also an officer in another school group), yet somehow this person isn't good enough for NHS?

Bitter? You bet.

The local chapter has even now lowered the standards so students with a 3.2GPA can apply but this particular student refused to apply again after they were turned down the first year.

agnes!
PS - Oh, and they had been in NJHS (which was apparently all-around a wonderful experience) in middle school.

 

[swald91]

I think most schools here start the process at different times. They will get info in 8th grade at my daughters school-we are expecting it soon (97 average with advanced classes) but I do know a school in a neighboring town started in 7th grade. Either way -it's a nice thing & I think it keeps them motivated to continue to be successful academically. My nephew actually didn't want to go into it-but I think he realied that he had to keep his grades up & he was concerned with playing sports instead....good luck

 

[4nana]

It's quite the honor, so if your DS's been nominated and wants to apply, by all means I'd encourage him . Our two middle school DGS's were chosen and seem to enjoy. It's a big deal here, they have an candle lit induction ceremony in the evening, receive certificate of distinction NJHS award, NJHS pin, each member is given a rose, followed by refreshments with guests. I wish your DS good luck ! Personally, I feel it's never to early to teach them, 'you reap what you sow'.


Here's a few pix from our two GS's NJHS ceremonies, of course pix kept tiny to protect the innocent.

Yeah, but in our system the students have to be 'anointed' by a panel to get in (along with having a threshold GPA or above, getting recommendations and writing 2 or 3 essays). Now, knowing all this, tell me why, a certain HS student I know who has the smarts (at least a 4.3GPA + mid-90s percentile on the PSAT), who shows leadership (is an officer in one club and also an officer in another school group), yet somehow this person isn't good enough for NHS?

Bitter? You bet.

The local chapter has even now lowered the standards so students with a 3.2GPA can apply but this particular student refused to apply again after they were turned down the first year.

agnes!

PS - Oh, and they had been in NJHS (which was apparently all-around a wonderful experience) in middle school.

That's a shame agnes, the NHS committe should have given a reason. It's only fair the student and parents know why. I remember when our DD3 didn't make NHS in HS the first year applying, she was very disappointed. However the following year she made it! Even though selection in HS is quite competitive, it teaches them it's ok to question why, keep trying, and never give up! Actually for ours, it was good practice for college!

 

[mamamary]

4 nana - thanks for sharing. It does seem like a pretty big deal. I'm glad I asked on here today.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

I was in NJHS in 8th grade.

Basically, all (mostly honors) kids who met the academic requirement were allowed in. We had a nice ceremony 'inducting' us in May. Some kids got special awards for Top Math Student, Top English Student, and so on, including Top Male and Female Athlete.

No paperwork that I can recall; it's been a few years. Just applied for NHS, though!

 

[4nana]

4 nana - thanks for sharing. It does seem like a pretty big deal. I'm glad I asked on here today.

You're welcome dear . Best wishes to your DS.

 

[XYSRUS]

Hehehe-My son's in it. It looks good on paper. But really, he calls it the recycling club-b/c that's mostly what they do for community service! The kids have to do x hours of community service, fund raisers for charities ummmm....bunch of stuff.

 

[Art 1]

My daughter was in it in middle school and is now on National Honor Society in HS. We thought it would be good idea for a college reference but now don't think it mattered much. There are some very smart girls in her class going on to top schools next year who never bothered to join.

 

[agnes!]

...That's a shame agnes, the NHS committe should have given a reason. It's only fair the student and parents know why. I remember when our DD3 didn't make NHS in HS the first year applying, she was very disappointed. However the following year she made it! Even though selection in HS is quite competitive, it teaches them it's ok to question why, keep trying, and never give up! Actually for ours, it was good practice for college!

The general opinion around here is that this particular NHS chapter seems to be pretty much a popularity contest and yes, it is indeed a shame.
Oh, and no reasons (so far as I know), are ever given to those who are rejected by NHS. NJHS was a completely different and very positive experience.

agnes!

 

[PatsGirl]

They have it in our middle school, too (available to 7th and 8th graders only). It is very much like the National Honor Society that you may be familiar with. It is an honor to be nominated (based upon academic eligibility). But it is even a bigger honor to be selected. To be considered, you must fill out an application, and new members are chosen based upon leadership, scholarship and community service.

Same here in our district. DD was recently selected