The National Honor Society has a very selective membership, limited to those students judged by a faculty council to be outstanding in the four pillars of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.  Students who have been invited as eligible candidates for NHS must submit a completed information packet which will be reviewed by a faculty council. The selection process takes place in the fall of each school year. Students will be determined as eligible candidates based on their GPA following the second semester of the previous school year.

The Via Pacis chapter of the National Honor Society updated our bylaws effective July 1, 2024.

Students who transfer to Archbishop Carroll who were members of the National Honor Society will have their membership transferred, provided they were a member in good standing at their previous school. A letter from the previous advisor is necessary to transfer membership. 

Scholarship

• Seniors or juniors with at least a 3.7 cumulative, unweighted GPA
• The student must have attended Carroll for at least one semester, immediately preceding induction

Leadership

• Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducting business effectively and efficiently, and without constant reminders of obligations
• Is responsible for overseeing activities in the classroom, extra-curricular activities, or in the community
• Actively participates in leadership experiences while working with or for others
• Is a forerunner in the classroom, at work, and in school or community activities
• Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted
   

Service

• Volunteers and provides dependable and well-organized assistance, is gladly available and willing to sacrifice to offer assistance
• Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities
• Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school
• Participates in some activity outside of school.  For example, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged
• Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools
• Performs at least 12 hours of service during the six months prior to the selection date. Upon induction into NHS, additional increments of at least twelve hours of service are required for each semester until graduation.

Character

• Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
• Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior
• Upholds principles of morality and ethics
• Cooperates by complying with school regulations
• Demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability
• Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
• The student must have received nine or fewer demerits during each of the two previous semesters

In addition to the above qualifications, the National Honor Society also requires the advisors to seek an evaluation of the candidates by the school faculty in the areas of Leadership and Character.

Eligible candidates must meet all published deadlines and submit a complete Candidate Information Form to be considered for membership. All information will come directly to candidates from advisors. Parental interest in candidates is certainly encouraged, but all communication must be initiated and completed by the student. 

National Honor Society vs. National Society of High School Scholars

Many students at Archbishop Carroll High School may receive mail from an organization known as the National Society of High School Scholars. This organization is not the same as the National Honor Society, and is not affiliated with Carroll in any capacity. It is possible that these invitation letters may have the name of the school, or the names of our NHS advisors listed in an attempt to confuse recipients.

The National Society of High School Scholars charges $90 for membership. There is really no benefit to joining them, and it does not set students apart on their scholarship applications. They also sell regalia to wear at graduation, but many high schools do not recognize this or allow students to wear it (including Carroll). NSHSS is a legitimate organization, but it does not offer any benefit.

National Honor Society is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic-based organizations for high school students. It is open at Carroll to students in grades 11-12. Students must be invited to join. First, we look at GPA (we require an unweighted 3.7). Once they are identified as meeting the GPA requirement, there is an additional process where identified students have to fill out an information form. Once those are submitted, a faculty council reviews the information to ensure that eligible students meet the criteria of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. If they are eligible for induction, a ceremony will be held at the school. Inducted members will receive regalia at graduation.

There are two advisors for NHS at Carroll - Courtney Thompson and Meghan Mulligan. All correspondence regarding NHS will come directly from one of the advisors to the students via email. Eligibility letters are distributed to students in the fall of each year.

If anyone has questions, please contact Courtney Thompson or Meghan Mulligan.