National Honor Society (NHS) is an honor and service program for seniors at Helena High School. Students are invited to apply for NHS in the spring of their junior year based on their cumulative GPA. Once the students have applied and been accepted, the students will spend their senior year participating in various activities throughout the school year. Students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of a 3.50, complete thirty (30) hours of community service, attend monthly meetings and follow all school rules and community laws.

 National Honor Society Selection Procedure

 The National Honor Society chapter of Helena High School is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of the National Honor Society.

Membership is open to those students who meet the required standards in four areas of evaluation: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Students are selected for membership by majority vote of a 5-member Faculty Council, appointed annually by the principal, which bestows this honor upon qualified students on behalf of the faculty of our school each. The chapter adviser(s) is(are) also appointed by the principal and facilitates all selection procedures and chapter activities during the year.

Students in their 2^nd semester of junior year are eligible for membership. For the scholarship criterion, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale. Those students who meet this criterion are invited to complete a Student Application Form that provides the Faculty Council with information regarding the candidate’s leadership and service. A history of leadership experiences and participation in school or community service is also required.

To evaluate a candidate’s character, the Faculty Council obtains additional professional input: official school disciplinary records are reviewed. These documents and the Student Application Forms are carefully reviewed by the Faculty Council to determine whether each candidate meets the criteria for membership.  A majority vote of the Council is necessary for selection. Following a review of the results of the Faculty Council voting by the principal, candidates are notified regarding selection or non-selection according to a predetermined schedule.

Once the notification process is completed, 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 (or better) in all criteria that led to their selection.  This obligation includes regular attendance at chapter meetings held monthly during the school year, and participation in the chapter service projects(s). A full list of member obligations is provided to all candidates and is available from the chapter adviser upon request. Students or parents who have questions regarding the selection process or membership obligations can contact the chapter adviser(s) by contacting the main office of HHS.

NHS Graduation Recognition

Members who have remained in good standing, completed their service requirement, and maintained equal to or greater than the 3.5 cumulative GPA requirement on the official GPA and class rank list may wear the blue and gold National Honor Society tassel at the graduation ceremony. The tassel is awarded to seniors at the Spring National Honor Society induction ceremony.

Helena High NHS Bylaws (updated March 2023):

As a part of the esteemed NHS community, we adhere to both the NHS National Constitution and our local chapter’s bylaws, ensuring a foundation of excellence and integrity in all our endeavors.

Developed by the NHS and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) National Council, the NHS National Constitution serves as the guiding document for our organization, overseen by the dedicated team at NASSP and the NASSP Board of Directors. It outlines the principles and standards that all chapters must uphold.

Our bylaws have been officially approved by the National Office, affirming our commitment to the values of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. These bylaws, in alignment with the NHS National Constitution, govern our day-to-day operations and ensure the fulfillment of our mission.

To view a copy of our HHS bylaws, please click here:  HELENA HIGH SCHOOL Bylaws March 2023 Updated.pdf

To view a copy of the NHS National Constitution, please click here: https://www.nationalhonorsociety.org/about/constitution-governance/nhs-national-constitution/