National Junior Honor Society
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National Junior Honor Society
SMMCS maintains a chapter of the NJHS. The qualities that are considered in potential candidates are scholarship, leadership, character, citizenship and service. Students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade who have earned a grade point average of 92% or better in the core subjects will be considered for admission to the NJHS. Selection letters are generally sent out at the start of the second semester. In-coming 6th graders will not be considered until the grades for the first semester are released.
After meeting the scholarship goal of a GPA of 92% or better, students are then evaluated by leadership traits, (holding an office in a school club or society or in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or Church or Youth Groups), character traits (an evaluation form is sent to the candidate’s core subject teachers), citizenship (the absence and attendance record is examined, as well as responses from the evaluation form), and service. Candidates are expected to have at least 5 hours of community service before the second semester. The school fundraisers are an excellent way to get service hours. Other service hours can come from Scouting, DECATS, helping teachers or administrators in SMMCS or volunteering time in our Parish. Generally “chore-type” service hours are not considered. (i.e.: babysitting for the neighbor) Forms can be obtained from the Chapter Advisor. If a student wishes to be inducted into the NHJS, it is advisable to begin to gain leadership experience and service hours in the beginning of the school year. Students who wait until they have been selected often find they do not have enough time or opportunities to gain the leadership or service components of the selection process and are disappointed when they are not selected due to lack of qualifications.