The National Honor Society was founded in 1921 with the hope to create an organization that would recognize and encourage academic achievement while developing other characteristics essential to good citizenship. The ideals of scholarship, character, service and leadership are as important today as they were in 1921.

National Honor Society – Traverse City Central High School

According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), sponsoring organization of the National Honor Society (NHS), NHS is more than just an honor roll. The Honor Society chapter establishes rules for membership that are based upon a student's outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These criteria for selection form the foundation upon which the organization and its activities are built. Our NHS chapter is chartered and affiliated with the national organization.  Once members are selected and inducted, they are expected to maintain the same performance or better in all areas.

Scholarship: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, and character.

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.
CLARIFICATIONS: Participation in events or fundraisers with a team, band, or place of worship does not count toward service requirements, unless the activity is specifically intended as an outreach to the community at large.

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.

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 complies with all school policies and civil laws.

The following format will be used to determine selection for membership.  Students must have satisfactory performance in each area.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

1. Students in 10^th & 11^th grade earning a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher after first semester are notified of eligibility for selection based on scholarship standard.  Students are invited to attend meeting to pick up materials to be completed if they wish to be considered for membership based on the standards of leadership, service and character.

2. List of prospective members made available to staff

3. Students interested in submitting materials complete Student Activity Information Form by deadline.

4. Students request two recommendations from teachers and one from another adult (non-relative, see form).

5. Advisor reviews student records of those completing Student Activity Information Form, notes any discipline incidents.

6. Faculty council reviews documents submitted to determine satisfactory performance in standard areas.

7. Members are selected by the Faculty Council by majority vote.

8. Students are notified of NHS membership status.

9. All documents used to determine selection are confidential.  Students not selected for membership may meet with the advisor to address areas of concern and how to meet those criteria if eligible for future consideration. The Faculty Council is entrusted to uphold the integrity of NHS standards and agrees to use professional discretion in making decisions regarding selection of each student.

10. Students become members through participating in the induction ceremony.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURE:

1. Students selected for membership must maintain all standards.

2. Students demonstrating unsatisfactory status in any area are notified in writing of probationary status for one semester.

3. Member may be dismissed following unsatisfactory performance during or after probationary period.

4. Members may withdraw membership by submitting a written request for withdrawal or by inattendance and lack of due payment during the first marking period of the school year.

5. Students notified of dismissal from NHS.

TC Central’s National Honor Society (NHS) currently has 106 members who are juniors and seniors. Members are expected to attend meetings twice a month and participate in community service activities. The advisor is Mr. Jeff Turner. Any questions about NHS activities may be directed to these individuals. Students new to Central High who were members previously should notify Mr. Turner.