The National Honor Society

The National Honor Society is a national organization recognized by colleges, universities and businesses. NHS strives to honor students in grades ten through twelve for excellence in scholarship, leadership, character and service; once students become members, the NHS opens doors to a variety of opportunities including additional scholarships, awards and other types of recognition. In addition, the Lynden Christian chapter of the National Honor Society will participate in service opportunities, fine arts outings and an awards banquet.

LCHS National Honor Society Guidelines


SELECTION is determined by the Faculty Academic Council based on how well the student demonstrates the four NHS criteria of Scholarship, Leadership, Character and Service on the survey forms which are completed each year.

SELECTION CRITERIA (all required):

  • Must be in grade 10, 11 or 12
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.6 or above
  • Involvement in extracurricular activities at school
  • At least 10 hours of community service activities within the past 12 months*
  • Participation in church worship services
  • Participation in at least one personal development activity
  • Yearly completion of the required Survey Forms
  • Satisfactory completion of character surveys by three teachers
  • Character shows positive influence at church, community, and school
  • No evidence of 2 or more discipline notices
  • No instance of cheating or plagiarism on record; if there is one instance prior to eligibility a one year postponement of membership will occur; if cheating occurs again, the student will forfeit eligibility entirely
*For the 06-07 school year, students may include service activities done within the past 18 months

DISMISSAL CRITERIA (only one required):

  • A GPA that drops below the scholastic requirement of 3.6 for more than one semester
  • Failure to meet the above requirements
  • An instance of cheating while a member
  • 2 or more discipline notices
  • Other evidence of negative character influence
  • Flagrant violation of school rules or civil laws
  • Lack of involvement in NHS activities
  • Missing the induction/awards banquet
  • Failure to turn in the NHS forms
  • Failure to turn the NHS forms in on time
Unfortunately, once dismissed from the NHS, a student MAY NOT be reinstated!

MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIVILEGES:

  • Attendance at all National Honor Society meetings
  • Involvement in chapter projects
  • Exemplifying NHS ideals of excellence in scholarship, leadership, character and service
  • Participation in chapter outings
  • Opportunity to apply for the NHS scholarship
  • Enhancement of college applications and resumes

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FAQs Regarding the Survey Forms

Students will be asked to complete the survey forms if...
  • They are in grade 10, 11 or 12
  • They have a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher
  • They do not have 2 or more discipline notices on record
  • There are no instances of cheating or plagiarism within the past year

On the survey forms students must demonstrate excellence in leadership, character and service through participation in...

  • At least one extra-curricular activity at school (some non-school activities might be permitted - see a sponsor if you have a question)
  • At least ten hours of community service occurring within the past 12 months.* Bible class service requirements are permitted.
  • Regular attendance at church and in at least one personal development activity such as Bible Study, youth group, prayer group, or another similar activity
  • Satisfactory approval of character as judged by three teachers of the student's choice.
*In this first year we will allow students to list service done within the past 18 months.

Please note: the number of a student's absences or tardies may be taken into consideration. If the student has a significant number of absences or tardies, he or she should attach a brief explanation.

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Information about Processing the Forms

Once students have turned in these survey forms the Faculty Academic Council will deliberate over questionable evidence and grant or deny membership based on the students' demonstrations of these four aspects of excellence. Please allow one to two weeks for the Council to process the forms. After students receive letters regarding their status, those who have not properly demonstrated excellence will be given approximately two weeks to appeal the faculty council's decision. Appeal letters turned in after the due date will not be considered.

Students will receive a letter in response to their appeal within one week.

Types of letters:

Acceptance: students must read the NHS guidelines and make sure to remain eligible for NHS.

Probation: students who are continuing members may be placed on probation at the discretion of the Faculty council because they have not met one of the NHS requirements. Students must meet the requirement by the end of the semester or they will be dismissed from NHS.

Dismissal: Students who were NHS members but did not turn in an application or did not meet one or more of the NHS requirements may be dismissed from NHS. These students may file a letter of appeal (see below) to dispute the Faculty Council's decision. Once a student has been dismissed from NHS, he or she CAN NOT be reinstated in coming years.

Denial: Students who are prospective members (not current NHS members) will be denied if they are lacking in any of the NHS requirements. These students may file a letter of appeal (see below) in order to be considered for membership.

Letters of Appeal: If students were dismissed or denied but disagree with the assessment of the Faculty committee, students may file a letter of appeal. This letter should be addressed to Mrs. Ogle, and it should explain why the student is worthy of NHS with specific regards to the reason the student was denied NHS membership. For example, if the student did not show sufficient service on the application, the student must include all of his/her service activities in this letter AND reasons why these activities were not listed on the application. Letters and/or signatures fromthosewho were in charge of the activity would also be beneficial.

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Upcoming Events

Survey forms will be distributed to eligible students in the last week of January; students should receive letters regarding their standing by the end of February, and membership will be finalized by mid-March.

After membership has been finalized, the Lynden Christian chapter of the National Honor Society will participate in service outings, fine arts outings, and an awards banquet, and students will also have the privilege of adding "National Honor Society member" to all applications and resumes.

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Contact an NHS Sponsor

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of the NHS sponsors, Laura Ogle, Jim Crosetti or Keith Lambert.

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Lynden Christian Schools | Lynden, Washington | 360-318-9525