The National
Honor Society (NHS)
Established in 1921
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)
Established in 1929
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Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS and NJHS. NHS and NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.
History of the Organization
In 1921, NASSP officially established the National Honor
Society. Though many local and regional honor societies
existed prior to 1921, no nationwide organization had been
founded. Under the leadership of Dr. Edward Rynearson,
principal of the Fifth Avenue High School, Pittsburgh, Pa.,
the organization grew from the original Alpha Chapter at the
Fifth Avenue School to more than 1,000 chapters by 1930.
Equipped with a constitution, an emblem and motto, and a
group of dedicated principals as coordinators, the new NHS
organization quickly developed into one of the country's
leading educational groups.
Four main purposes have guided chapters of NHS from the
beginning: "To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to
stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership,
and to develop character in the students of secondary
schools." (from the NHS Constitution) These purposes also
translate into the criteria used for membership selection in
each local chapter.
In 1929, the NASSP turned its attention to middle level
schools and expanded the scope of its concern for
recognizing outstanding students by establishing the
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). With its own
constitution and handbook, NJHS has established criteria
that parallel the emphases found in the NHS with an added
purpose to encourage citizenship. (Additional information on
establishing a chapter of the NJHS is available upon request
from the NASSP Department of Student Activities.)
Both the NHS and NJHS are sponsored and supervised by NASSP
which appoints a National Council - the controlling body of
NHS. In addition, National Council members also serve as the
selection committee for the prestigious NHS Scholarship
which has been administered annually in schools with NHS
chapters since 1946.
The day-to-day administration of NHS national concerns is
handled by the NASSP Department of Student Activities,
headquartered in Reston, VA.

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