National Junior Honor Society
Berlin Community School
National Junior Honor Society
Student Advisor: Emma Califano
The National Junior Honor Society chapter of Berlin Community School is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of this prestigious national organization. Membership is open to those students who meet the required standards in five areas of evaluation: scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character. Standards for selection are established by the National Constitution of NJHS and the By-Laws of our local chapter. Students are selected to be members by a five-member Faculty Council, appointed by the principal, who bestows this honor upon qualified students on behalf of the faculty and staff of our school each spring.
Students in grades seven and eight are eligible for membership. Academically, a student must have a yearly, cumulative scholastic average greater than or equal to a 94.50% in each of grades six through eight. A history of leadership experiences in student activity organizations each year and at least 10 hours of documented community service is also required.
To evaluate a candidate’s character, the Faculty Council uses two forms of input. First, school disciplinary records are reviewed. Second, members of the faculty and staff are afforded the opportunity to provide input regarding a candidate’s service activities, character, citizenship, and leadership. These forms and the Student Activity Information Forms are carefully reviewed by the Faculty Council to determine membership. Candidates are notified regarding selection or non-selection according to a predetermined schedule.
Following notification, a formal induction ceremony is held at the school to recognize all the newly selected members. Once inducted, new members are required to maintain the same level of performance in all five criteria that led to their selection. This obligation includes payment of annual dues, regular attendance at monthly chapter meetings held during the school year and participation in chapter and individual service projects. Students or parents who have questions regarding the selection process or membership obligations should contact the Principal.