INFORMATION REGARDING NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

AT WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

National Honor Society was created to recognize students who demonstrate clear and consistent evidence of outstanding service, leadership, character, and scholarship throughout all their years of high school. The following information refers specifically to the Westlake Chapter of NHS.

1. Induction is held in the spring for juniors, and in the fall for seniors.

2. Students with a 3.5 GPA at the end of the 5^th semester of high school will receive a letter informing them that they are eligible to submit information to the Faculty Selection Committee.

3. A list of these students is given to the faculty. The faculty assigns a point value of 1-4 to each student indicating to what level they observe the student actively demonstrating positive leadership and character traits. The student names are then removed and this information is given to the faculty selection committee.

4. The faculty selection committee convenes to consider the information provided by each student regarding his/her service and leadership activities. The information sheets are anonymous. The committee provides the advisor with a list of students (by number only) to whom they are offering an invitation to join. The advisor then contacts each student. The advisor is not a member of the selection committee and has no vote.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING

1. Membership is only available to students who are actively involved in their school, church, and/or community. Being involved does not guarantee an invitation to join. It is the prerequisite.

2. The national guidelines emphasize that all four areas are to be fulfilled. The “leadership” component is often the most difficult. Westlake High School selection committees require that leadership must be demonstrated through a strong faculty vote along with documented leadership positions held throughout high school. The committee looks at the number of hours invested in each activity. Invitations to join are offered to those students whom they feel have gone above and beyond average participation.

3. To receive a strong leadership vote from the faculty, it is encouraged that each student participate actively in class every day, demonstrate good conflict resolution skills, and serve as a role model to others.

4. Schools differ widely in their approach to NHS. Some require only that a certain GPA be achieved. Inclusion is then automatic. This letter is to inform you that Westlake requires documented evidence of service and leadership activities throughout the first three years of high school. Students meeting the grade point criteria will receive all information needed early in the second semester of their junior year.