Thank you for your interest in the Dr. Phillips High School chapter of National Honor Society. National Honor Society membership is based on the four qualities of character, scholarship, leadership, and service. The selection process is based on the guidelines established by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the parent organization of NHS.
Current junior and senior students who have attended Dr. Phillips for a minimum of one full academic semester and who have attained a cumulative, weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher may apply to be considered for NHS selection. Eligible students must complete a portfolio of information documenting their attainment of each of the four pillars to be considered for NHS selection.
Candidate portfolios completed and submitted by the published deadline are then referred to the NHS Faculty Council, which convenes to select members. The chapter adviser attends this meeting in an advisory, non-voting capacity. The Faculty Council is expected to review each candidate thoughtfully, thoroughly, and objectively, exercising their discretion in a legitimate manner and in good faith. Since these members are persons in whom the principal places a high degree of trust, their deliberations and selections are final. NOTE: Completion of a candidate portfolio does not guarantee admission into NHS.
Applications for the 2024-25 school year will open
Tuesday, September 3, and close Friday, September 20.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the online application, character letters, and other documentation are completed/returned in a timely manner. Hard copy portions should be submitted to Mrs. Wells in Room 2-205. Candidates whose portfolios are incomplete at the deadline will not be considered for selection to National Honor Society.
DIRECTIONS FOR COMPLETING
THE APPLICATION PORTFOLIO
*please read all directions carefully*
CHARACTER
Documentation required: LETTER OF CHARACTER REFERENCE
- The reference should provide information about the candidate’s personal character and leadership skills.
- Letter must be written by an adult in your community. This person must be over 21 years old and cannot be a family member or a member of the DPHS staff or faculty.
- All letters must include the reference’s contact information.
- Letter may be printed on business letterhead, signed and submitted in hard copy OR emailed directly from a business or personal address. Emails must be sent to marylouise.wells@ocps.net with the following subject line: NHS Reference – [Candidate Name]
- The candidate’s OCPS discipline record will also be reviewed as part of the selection process.
LEADERSHIP
Documentation required: CANDIDATE INFORMATION FORM
- Complete all information fully and accurately.
- You must include the names of three teachers who are willing to recommend you for NHS consideration and/or who can verify your leadership activities. Teacher recommenders must be selected from your completed academic years. You may not select one of your current teachers unless that teacher has taught you in a previous year.
- You must obtain each teacher’s permission before submitting their name as a recommender.
- Teachers will be sent a form to complete; you do not need to request letters from the teachers.
- If you are a transfer student to Dr. Phillips, you may request teacher recommendations from your previous school. These may be submitted by email to marylouise.wells@ocps.net with the following subject line: NHS Recommendation – [Candidate Name]
⇒ Click here to launch the online candidate information form ⇐
You must be signed into Google using your OCPS credentials in order to access the online form.
SCHOLARSHIP
Documentation required: VERIFICATION OF CUMULATIVE GPA (CANDIDATE INFORMATION FORM)
- GPA must be 3.5 cumulative, weighted.
- GPA may be found by clicking the Gradebook tab on Skyward, then clicking GPA just above your current grades.
- Upload a screenshot from Skyward showing both your name and the cum GPA to the appropriate line on your candidate information form.
SERVICE
Documentation required: VERIFICATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS (CANDIDATE INFORMATION FORM)
- Service hours must be recorded with guidance and reflected on your official transcript. Log sheets of unrecorded hours will not be accepted or considered.
- DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO SUBMIT HOURS TO GUIDANCE! Counselors will not drop everything to record your hours on the spot.
- Senior candidates must have 75 service hours on record; juniors must have 50.
- Although you may include work hours to meet the total number requirement, your record MUST reflect at least some service hours to meet NHS expectations.
- Service hours may be found by clicking the Student Information tab on Skyward.
- Upload a screenshot from Skyward showing both your name and your hours (service and work) to the appropriate line on your candidate information form.
PARENT/GUARDIAN AFFIRMATION
- In compliance with OCPS regulations, parents/guardians are asked to verify permission for their student to participate in NHS activities during the school year.
- By submitting a signed OCPS Parental Consent Form (link below), your parent/guardian is affirming the following:
- They have reviewed the application process on this page and understand the policies and procedures for NHS selection at Dr. Phillips.
- All information and documentation must be submitted by the published deadline in order for the candidate to be considered for membership.
- Completion of a candidate portfolio does not guarantee admission into NHS.
- Candidate information and records are verified by the chapter adviser before referral to the NHS Faculty Council. The Council’s deliberations are private, and its decisions are final.
- Selection for NHS (tapping) will occur within two weeks of the submission deadline.
- According to NHS rules, the chapter is not obligated to share with parents or students the specific reasons a student is not selected for membership, although the student may be told if their portfolio was lacking in one of the four pillars. Membership in a chapter of the National Honor Society is a privilege, not a right.
- Submit the signed form (hard copy) to Mrs. Wells.
⇒ Click here to complete the Parental Consent Form ⇐
Students whose portfolios are complete will have their names listed outside of
Mrs. Wells’s room. If your name isn’t listed, something is missing!
Questions? See Mrs. Wells in Room 2-205 or email her at marylouise.wells@ocps.net
Incomplete applications will not be considered.