National Honor Society

 

The Greene School is pleased to offer High School students an opportunity for national recognition as a member school of the National Honor Society (NHS).

NHS is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding students. Unveiled over a century ago, NHS enshrines four pillars at its heart: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

Students in grades ten and eleven who attain a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 or higher and are in good academic and behavioral standing are encouraged to submit an application for membership. Applications are reviewed by a faculty committee to ensure each applicant meets The Greene School chapter’s membership criteria, which are based on the School’s Core Values and NHS’s pillars:

  • Scholarship is more than a report card; it represents a dedicated commitment to lifelong learning. It is about optimizing the educational opportunities offered and pursuing knowledge within and beyond academic confines. Scholarship necessitates a consistent effort, with an aspiration to contribute positively to the world through one’s own knowledge, skills, and experiences.

  • Service represents the choice of stepping outside oneself to meet the needs of others, fueled by an unwavering passion for a cause, heartfelt empathy for others, and social justice, or driven by personal circumstances. It is about performing selfless acts that transcend the ordinary, engendering transformative changes that resonate through our schools, ripple across our communities, and reverberate on a global scale. In the noble act of service, we sculpt a better world with our hands, our hearts, and our humanity. 

  • Leadership is more than a position or title; it means embodying the spirit of initiative, innovation, and influence. It is about inspiring peers through actions, nurturing a collaborative environment, and championing positive change. Student leaders embrace the responsibility of shaping their academic community, all while fostering personal growth and development. It is the interplay of intellect, empathy, and resilience, guiding others while continually learning and evolving.

  • Character is the essence of who we are. It is about valuing diversity, building relationships grounded in empathy, and exhibiting qualities like perseverance, respect, integrity, and honesty. Character lies not in public acts of virtue or visible mistakes, but in the consistent commitment to ethical and compassionate decision-making that positively affects both oneself and others. (Disciplinary records are reviewed and considered in the NHS evaluation process.)

These principles are transformative keys that unlock potential, enhancing every student’s educational journey, and ultimately empowering them to make profound and enduring contributions to our world.

Students selected for membership in The Greene School’s chapter of NHS are required to attend monthly meetings and to complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service per year. In addition, they are expected to serve as role models and mentors for their peers and as ambassadors for the school.

Please refer to The Greene School chapter’s bylaws for more information.