National Junior Honor Society

This is a service organization whose members are selected based on scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character.

Pillars of Membership

• Scholarship
  Students must first meet this criterion to become candidates for membership. NJHS national policy requires that each chapter set a cumulative GPA as their Scholarship criteria. The minimum Scholarship requirement a chapter may set is a cumulative GPA of 85, B, 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent cumulative standard of excellence.
  
  
• Service
  This involves voluntary contributions made by a student and done without compensation. Chapters can require evidence of service to either the school, the community or both. Each chapter sets its own requirements for this criterion.
  
  
• Leadership
  Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others. Chapters can require evidence of leadership from within school or the community or both. Each chapter sets its own requirements for this criterion.
  
  
• Character
  The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others. A chapter’s faculty council may review or consider disciplinary records when evaluating this criterion.
  
  
• Citizenship
  In general, the student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic engagement; has a high regard for freedom and justice; and respects democracy. Each chapter sets its own requirements for this criterion.

Eligibility

• Scholarship

A student's grade point average for the first two quarters of the year must be 85% or higher (no rounding up).  The student must have been enrolled at BMS for one full semester to be eligible.  Grades for all classes taken are averaged together.  All 7th and 8th-grade students are eligible for review if they meet the grade and enrollment requirements.

• Leadership, Service, Citizenship

Once a student has met the GPA and enrollment requirements, the student is given an activity form to complete.  The student must fill out all sections thoroughly and completely and return them to the sponsor by the due date.  No late forms are accepted.  There are four sections on the form: co-curricular, leadership, community, and other awards/recognition. Seventh and eighth graders must have two co-curricular activities, one leadership, one community, and one other award/recognition (in addition to Honor Roll). Receiving a form and/or filling out a form does not guarantee selection! A committee of teachers reviews the activity forms and discipline records/conduct/character rating forms; the committee and the sponsor make the final selection based on the information available. 

• Character

Teachers are asked to rate the students they teach in areas of conduct and character.  A rating scale is used: 1 Poor, 2 Fair, 3 Good, and 4 Excellent.  A student is automatically disqualified if given a "1" (Poor).  More than 2 Fair ratings automatically disqualify a student.  The NJHS sponsor does not rate students, all other teachers do.  If necessary, the committee may also review team and office discipline records. 

Any suspensions (for any reason) on record while a student is at Burns Middle School will automatically disqualify a student from further consideration.

Parents of selected and non-selected students are notified approximately one week prior to the induction ceremony.  Selected students are notified at school when they are "pinned" on the day of the induction ceremony.