Official information for establishing a chapter of the

National Honor Society on your school’s campus.

Table of Contents

 Cover Letter from NHS

 NHS Charter Application

and Reply Envelope

 Chartering Instructions

 NHS Constitution (2008 edition)

 List of Accepted Accrediting

Organizations

Note: All Charter Applications must originate from a school, via

a member of the faculty or the principal of the school. Parents or
students wishing to establish a chapter on their campus should
share the enclosed information with the appropriate school offi-
cials for processing.

The National Honor Society is a program of the

National Association of Secondary School Principals,
1904 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191
Phone: 703-860-0200 Fax: 703-476-5432 E-mail: nhs@nhs.us
Web site: www.nhs.us

© 2009 NASSP. All rights to the intellectual property contained herein, including copyrights,
trademarks, and service marks, are reserved by NASSP. Version 3.09.

NHS is a program of NASSP

 National Honor Society
Dear Colleague:

Thank you for your interest in chartering a chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) for your school.

Enclosed you will find the following materials to assist you in completing the chartering process:
• NHS Charter Application and return envelope
• Chartering Instructions
• List of Accepted Accreditation Organizations
• NHS Constitution (2008 edition)

Please review all of this information prior to completing your charter application. Should you have any questions
regarding the application process, please call us at 800-253-7746, extension 214.

Following the approval and processing of your application (a 5–6 week process), you can expect to receive the
following:
• A copy of the NHS Handbook and helpful introductory information about setting up your chapter. Please plan to
review this information carefully upon its arrival to ensure that your chapter is established according to the national
guidelines.
• Your official NHS Charter, suitable for framing, shipped separately from our processing house
• A catalog of NHS insignia items, clothing, and publications available through the NASSP sales office
• Leadership for Student Activities magazine and other mailings from the national office
• Access to the members-only sections of our Web site, www.nhs.us

Annual Renewal: In order to maintain an active chapter of NHS, your chapter is called upon to have an active mem-
bership with the national office. Active membership is needed to conduct selection and induction of new members, to
sponsor other chapter activities, and to purchase official insignia or receive your member discount from the national
sales office. Your chartering fee covers membership through June 30 of the current membership year. In the spring, a
renewal notice will be sent to the principal's office requesting payment of the annual affiliation renewal fee for the
upcoming school year.

We are grateful for your interest in bringing the nation's oldest and premiere student recognition program to the stu-
dents on your campus. Your school joins the more than 16,000 NHS chapters around the nation recognizing outstand-
ing students for their scholarship, leadership, service, and character. We hope that this will be the beginning of a strong
new program for your school.

On behalf of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, parent organization of NHS since its founding
in 1921, thank you for your interest in starting a chapter.
Sincerely,

David Cordts
Associate Director of NHS

1904 A s s o c i at i o n D r i v e , R e s to n , VA 20191-1537 • p h o n e 703-860-0200 • fa x 703-476-5432

www.nhs.us • e-mail nhs@nhs.us
NHS is a program of the N at i o n a l A s s o c i at i o n of S e c o n da ry S c h o o l P r i n c i pa l s .
 Constitution of the National Honor Society
The text below is the national constitution under which all NHS chapters operate. Local chapters of NHS are given authority to vary from some sections of this
document. For example, they may set the Scholarship requirement at a level above the stated 3.0 national minimum standard as long as this new standard is applied
fairly and consistently. The limits of the chapter's authority are described in the national handbook, a copy of which is provided to the chapter adviser upon charter
approval.
This version of the NHS Constitution was approved for all chapters on May 2, 2008 by the NASSP Board of Directors. This is the most recent edition for use
by chapters and its contents supersede that found in all previous editions of the constitution.
ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the National Honor Society of Secondary
Schools (NHS).
Section 2. The purpose of this organization shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to
stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the stu-
dents of secondary schools.
Section 3. NHS is a program of the National Association of Secondary School Principals
(NASSP), 1904 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1537, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit associa-
tion.
ARTICLE II: THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
Section 1. The control of this organization shall be vested in the NASSP Board of Directors
Section 2. There shall be a National Council to advise the NASSP Board of Directors regarding
NHS and its policies and procedures.
Section 3. The National Council shall consist of eleven members appointed by the Board of
Directors of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, one representative chosen
from each of the NASSP administrative regions, two at-large principals or assistant principals
(from any region), and the NJHS Representative, a chapter adviser from a middle level school.
Regional representatives shall alternate terms between principals and advisers according to the
schedule developed by the national office. The executive director of NASSP shall be an ex-offi-
cio member of the National Council. The NASSP director of student activities shall be an ex-
officio member and shall serve as secretary of the National Council.
Section 4. Members shall be appointed for a term of no more than three years.
Section 5. A simple majority of members shall constitute a quorum of the National Council.
ARTICLE III: STATE ORGANIZATIONS
Section 1. Local chapters may choose to organize state associations.
Section 2. Any state association of National Honor Society chapters shall conform to this
Constitution and shall work with NASSP in furthering the purposes of this organization.
Section 3. All state associations shall be affiliated with the National Honor Society.
Section 4. The state affiliate shall not serve as an appeal board for local chapter non-selection or
dismissal cases.
Section 5. Bylaws of the state associations must be approved by NASSP and must be consistent
with the NHS Constitution.
ARTICLE IV: LOCAL CHAPTERS
Section 1. Any secondary public school is eligible to apply for a charter for a local chapter.
Nonpublic secondary schools accredited or approved by state departments of education or by
accrediting agencies approved by NASSP are eligible to apply for a charter for a local chapter.
Each school shall have its own chapter except in cases where a school's size precludes the forma-
tion of a full Faculty Council. In such cases, a chapter can be shared as long as all other consti-
tutional requirements can be met. A middle level unit in the same building with a high school
unit will be appropriate cause for two separate chapters (one for the National Junior Honor
Society and one for the National Honor Society). [See page 28 of the 2005 NHS Handbook for
clarification of this last provision of Section 1.]
Section 2. Each chapter shall pay a chartering fee determined by the NASSP Board of
Directors.
Section 3. Each school with a chapter shall pay an annual affiliation fee approved by the
NASSP Board of Directors.
Section 4. The annual individual member dues paid to a chapter or state affiliate, if any, shall
not exceed twenty dollars inclusively. The exact amount shall be determined by the executive
committee of the chapter and shall be subject to the approval of the chapter membership.
Section 5. Duly chartered local chapters shall conform to this Constitution as set forth by
the NASSP Board of Directors. Failure to do so may result in the loss of the charter.
ARTICLE V: THE PRINCIPAL
Section 1. The principal shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the
chapter.
Section 2. The principal shall annually appoint a member of the faculty as chapter adviser, who
may serve consecutive terms.
Section 3. The principal shall annually appoint a Faculty Council composed of five members
of the school's faculty who may serve consecutive terms.
Section 4. The principal shall receive appeals in cases of non-selection of candidates, and the
disciplining or dismissal of members.
ARTICLE VI: THE CHAPTER ADVISER
Section 1. The chapter adviser shall be responsible for the direct, day-to-day supervision of the
chapter and act as liaison between faculty, administration, students, and community.
Section 2. The chapter adviser shall maintain files on membership, chapter history, activities,
and financial transactions. The chapter adviser shall send the annual report to the national
office.
Section 3. The chapter adviser shall regularly review each member for compliance with Society
standards and obligations.
Section 4. The chapter adviser shall help the chapter officers understand and carry out their
duties.
Section 5. The chapter adviser shall be an ex-officio, non-voting, sixth member of the Faculty
Council.
Section 6. The chapter adviser shall be a member of the faculty, appointed annually by the
principal, and may serve consecutive terms.
ARTICLE VII: FACULTY COUNCIL
Section 1. The Faculty Council shall consist of five voting faculty members appointed annually
by the principal. The chapter adviser shall be an ex-officio, non-voting, sixth member of the
Faculty Council. No principal or assistant principal may be included on the Faculty Council.
(See commentary on pages 14 and 15 of the 2005 NHS Handbook regarding the functions of
the Faculty Council.)
Section 2. The term of the Faculty Council shall be one year. Members may be appointed to
consecutive terms.
Section 3. The Faculty Council shall meet at least once a year to review the procedures of the
chapter, select members, and to consider non-selection, dismissal, other disciplinary actions,
and warning cases.
Section 4. The Faculty Council will develop and revise, when necessary, all chapter procedures
for selection, discipline, and dismissal of members, all of which must remain in compliance
with this Constitution and NHS policies.
ARTICLE VIII: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in local chapters is an honor bestowed upon a student. Selection for
membership is by a Faculty Council and is based on outstanding scholarship, character, leader-
ship, and service. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate
these qualities.
Section 2. Membership shall be known as active, honorary, and graduate. Active members shall
become graduate members at graduation. Graduate members shall have no voice or vote in
chapter affairs.
Section 3. The Faculty Council shall reserve the right to award honorary membership to school
officials, principals, teachers, NHS advisers, adults, students with disabilities, or foreign
exchange students in recognition of achievement and/or outstanding service rendered to the
school in keeping with the purposes of the National Honor Society. Honorary members shall
have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.
Section 4. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.
 Section 5. Members who are seniors in good standing are eligible to be nominated by their
chapters to compete in the National Honor Society Scholarship Program.
Section 6. An NHS member who transfers to another school and brings a letter from the prin-
cipal or chapter adviser to the new school adviser shall be accepted automatically as a member
in the new school's chapter. Transfer members must meet the new chapter's standards within
one semester in order to retain membership.
Section 7. Members who resign or are dismissed are never again eligible for membership or its
benefits.
ARTICLE IX: SELECTION OF MEMBERS
Section 1. To be eligible for membership the candidate must be a member of those classes
(sophomore, junior, senior) designated as eligible in the chapter bylaws. (Freshmen [ninth grad-
ers] are not eligible.) Candidates must have been in attendance at the school the equivalent of
one semester.1 [See notes at end]
Section 2. The national minimum standard for scholarship shall be a cumulative scholastic
average of at least 85 percent, B, or 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or the equivalent standard of excellence.
Candidates shall then be evaluated on the basis of service, leadership, and character. 2
Section 3. The selection of each member to the chapter shall be by a majority vote of the
Faculty Council. Prior to notification of any candidates, the chapter adviser shall review with
the principal the results of the Faculty Council’s deliberations.
Section 4. A description of the selection procedure shall be published in an official school pub-
lication that is widely available in a timely fashion to all students and parents of the school. The
selection procedure shall be determined by the Faculty Council and shall be consistent with the
rules and regulations of NHS.
Section 5. NASSP shall not review the judgment of the Faculty Council regarding selection of
individual members to local chapters.
ARTICLE X: DISCIPLINE AND DISMISSAL
Section 1. The Faculty Council, in compliance with the rules and regulations of the National
Honor Society, shall determine the procedure for dismissal. A written description of the dis-
missal procedure shall be available to interested parties. 3
Section 2. Members who fall below the standards that were the basis for their selection shall be
promptly warned in writing by the chapter adviser and given a reasonable amount of time to
correct the deficiency, except that in the case of flagrant violation of school rules or the law, a
member does not have to be warned.
Section 3. The Faculty Council shall determine when an individual has exceeded a reasonable
number of warnings.
Section 4. In all cases of pending dismissal, a member shall have a right to a hearing before the
Faculty Council. (Note: This hearing is required and is considered due process for all members)
Section 5. For purposes of dismissal, a majority vote of the Faculty Council is required.
Section 6. A member who has been dismissed may appeal the decision of the Faculty Council
to the principal and thereafter under the same rules for disciplinary appeals in the school dis-
trict.
Section 7. NASSP shall hear no appeals in dismissal cases.
(Note: Refer to Article VIII, Section 7 regarding the permanent consequences for members
when dismissed.)
ARTICLE XI: CHAPTER OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the chapter, their duties, and the method of their election shall be
determined by the members of the chapter, approved by the Faculty Council and the principal,
and described in the chapter bylaws.
Section 2. New officers shall be installed at a special ceremony.
ARTICLE XII: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The executive committee shall consist of the officers of the chapter and the chapter
adviser.
Section 2. The executive committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the chapter
between its business meetings, make recommendations to the chapter, and determine and per-
form such other duties as are specified in the chapter bylaws. All actions and recommendations
of the executive committee shall be subject to the review of the chapter membership.
Section 3. The executive committee shall have the responsibility for ensuring that chapter activ-
ities and procedures follow school policy and regulations.4
ARTICLE XIII: MEETINGS
Section 1. Each chapter shall have regular meetings during the school year on days designated
by the executive committee and in accordance with school policy and regulations.
Section 2. The regularity of the meetings (i.e., weekly, monthly, or bimonthly) shall be desig-
nated in the chapter bylaws.
NHS National Constitution Revised and approved by the NASSP Board of Directors, May 2008. © 2009 NASSP
(Updated 3.09)
Section 3. The chapter president or other designated student leader may call special meetings
approved by the executive committee.
Section 4. Chapters shall conduct meetings according to Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised
in all points not expressly provided for in this Constitution or the chapter bylaws.
ARTICLE XIV: ACTIVITIES
Section 1. Each chapter shall determine one or more service projects for each year.
Section 2. All members shall regularly participate in these projects.
Section 3. These projects shall have the following characteristics: Fulfill a need within the
school or community; have the support of the administration and the faculty; be appropriate
and educationally defensible; be well planned, organized, and executed.
Section 4. Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in an indi-
vidual service project that reflects his or her particular talents and interests. This is in addition
to the chapter projects to which all members contribute.
Section 5. Each chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner.
ARTICLE XV: OFFICIAL INSIGNIA
Section 1. This organization shall have an official emblem. The emblem shall be uniform and
its distribution and rules for its use shall be determined by the NASSP Board of Directors.
Section 2. Each active, graduate, or honorary member in good standing with the chapter shall
be entitled to wear this emblem.
Section 3. Any member who resigns or is dismissed shall return the emblem to the chapter
adviser.
Section 4. All insignia must be procured from the national office of the National Honor Society,
1904 Association Drive, Reston, VA, 20191. All insignia are registered with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office and may not be copied by anyone without written permission of
the NHS national office. (See also, Logo Usage Guidelines as found at www.nhs.us/logo.)
Section 5. The motto of the National Honor Society shall be "Noblesse Oblige".
Section 6. The official colors of the National Honor Society shall be blue and gold.
Section 7. A graduate member may purchase a replacement for a lost emblem by verifying
membership to the national office.
ARTICLE XVI: CHAPTER BYLAWS
Section 1. Each chapter shall write bylaws to amplify sections of this Constitution and to clari-
fy operating procedures of the chapter. Bylaws do not need the approval of NASSP but must be
consistent with this Constitution.5
Section 2. The chapter bylaws shall contain information concerning the election and duties of
officers, the schedule of meetings, member obligations, dues, and the like.
ARTICLE XVII: AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended by the NASSP Board of Directors based on input from the
NASSP staff and the NHS & NJHS National Council.
Notes:
1. Article IX, Section 1. Some candidates may be ineligible for induction because of the semes-
ter ruling. Many students, including students of military parents, are required to move with
parents or guardians that have transferred in their work. The present school principal should
seek a recommendation from the previous school principal or chapter adviser pursuant to the
candidate's selection. On the basis of the recommendation of the previous principal or chapter
adviser, the Faculty Council may waive the semester regulation.
2. Article IX, Section 2. Local chapters may raise the cumulative GPA standard above the
national minimum, or increase standards for the remaining selection criteria, apply them fairly
and consistently, and include these standards in their locally published selection procedures. See
pages 28ff in the NHS Handbook for more information.
3. Article X, Section 1. To maintain compliance, all local procedures must conform to the full
provisions of this article. Faculty Councils can consider disciplinary actions that are less severe
than dismissal if circumstances warrant.
4. Article XII, Section 3: This section is generally viewed to include chapter activities except
those with regards to the selection, discipline, and dismissal of members which are the sole
domain of the chapter’s Faculty Council per the provisions of Article VII, Section 4.
5. See the NHS Handbook and the Adviser Zone at www.nhs.us/bylaws for additional informa-
tion regarding the appropriate content of chapter bylaws.
Chapter advisers and school principals can find additional explanations of the provisions of this con-
stitution in the text of the NHS Handbook © 2005, available online at www.nhs.us/handbook and for
purchase from www.nhs.us/store or by contacting the NASSP sales office at 866-647-7253.
 National Honor Society
Charter Application Instructions
Charter applications should be typed or printed and all appropriate information provided. Prior to completing the
form:
• Read these instructions completely
• Review the enclosed copy of the National Constitution
• Identify and appoint a Chapter Adviser from the faculty.

1. Proposed Chapter Name: This is a local option. If left blank, we will default to the name of your school, e.g., “South Lakes
High School Chapter.” Do not include the word(s) “Chapter” or “National Honor Society” or “NHS” in the proposed chapter
name as they are already imprinted on the charter certificate. Please do not use classical Greek names or letters.

2. Membership: Your charter fee ($125) includes membership with the NHS national organization through June 30. Please iden-
tify the chapter adviser who will be the primary contact for chapter benefits that this membership brings. IMPORTANT NOTE:
The principal may NOT serve as the chapter adviser or member of the Faculty Council as per the national constitution.

3. Frames: You can order your charter already mounted in a black frame by noting it on your charter application (there is an
additional charge for this service), or you can wait and order a frame in the future. Future framed charter orders can be placed
through the NHS sales office.

4. Approval: Once your charter has been approved (allow five to six weeks), a letter of congratulations, a copy of the NHS
Handbook, and other relevant information from the national office will be mailed to the new chapter adviser (as noted on your
application).

5. Maintaining an Active Chapter: Membership must be renewed annually to preserve the active status of your school’s Honor
Society chapter. Active status allows your school to hold yearly inductions and sponsor other chapter activities. A renewal notice
will be sent to the principal in the spring requesting payment for the following year’s membership fee. The membership year runs
from July 1 through June 30 annually.

Final Checklist: Before mailing in your forms, please check to see that they are complete. Incomplete applications will be
returned for correction, thus delaying the approval process. Payment must accompany the application; nonpublic schools must
also attach verification of accreditation or state approval of their school. Make a copy of your full application for your school/
chapter records.

For additional information please contact:

NHS National Office, 1904 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1537
Phone: 800-253-7746 or 703-860-0200 Fax: 703-476-5432
www.nhs.us E-mail: nhs@nhs.us
(Updated 3.09)
 Return this form with payment to: NHSCA09

National Honor Society Do not complete – Office use only

Charter Application Date of approval:_ __________________________________
P.O. Box 3250, Reston, VA 20195-1250 Batch#: _ __________________________________________
Phone: (800) 253-7746 or (703) 860-0200
TM

Check#: ___________________________________________
www.nhs.us • membership@principals.org School#: ___________________________________________
Please type or print clearly all information requested below. New charter#: ______________________________________

1. School Information

Name of school:_ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Please include full, legal name of the school to be included on your chapter certificate.)
School address:______________________________________________________ School telephone:_______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________ School fax:_____________________________________________
City:_________________________ State:________ Zip code:________________ School Web site:_________________________________________

Current grade levels at school:_ _______________________________________ Total current enrollment:_________________________________

Proposed chapter name:_______________________________________________________________________________________________
(Please do not use classical Greek names or letters)
Community type: Rural Suburban Urban

2. School Classification and Accreditation

School classification: (Check one): Public Nonpublic
Public schools, please identify the name of the school district to which the school belongs: ______________________________________________
Nonpublic schools, please identify your school’s accreditation organization: _______________________ Date accreditation received:_________
All nonpublic schools must be accredited by the state department of education or by the regional accrediting associations listed on www.nhs.us.
Current accreditation verification must accompany this application for processing.

3. Adviser Information
IMPORTANT: To ensure that your adviser receives all the benefits of membership, please include his or her name and e-mail address.

NHS adviser:____________________________________________________________ E-mail address:_________________________________________

Principals or assistant principals are not eligible for this position.
NHS occasionally makes available its members’ mailing addresses (but never their telephone, fax or e-mail information) to third parties who provide related products and services. If you do not
want to receive these mailings, please check this box.

4. Payment Information
Check boxes for applicable fees and payment. Payment or purchase order must accompany this application. Membership becomes effective when
payment is received.
Check/money order/purchase order enclosed $125.00 Charter Fee (required)
Payable in U.S. funds to: NASSP*
NASSP Tax ID #52-6006937 Includes charter certificate, a copy of the National Honor
Society Handbook, and active membership with the national
Charge my credit card Type: Personal School/Business organization (membership runs July 1–June 30).
Card type:  MasterCard Visa American Express $50.00 Plaque Fee (optional)
Charter mounted in a 13” by 16” frame.
Account number: _______________________________________________

Expiration date: ________________________________________________

Cardholder signature: _ __________________________________________

Printed name of cardholder: ______________________________________ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $ _______________

Cardholder billing address: _______________________________________ Please make a copy of this form for your records prior to
submitting it to the national office.
______________________________________________________________

5. Authorization and Agreement

I have read the NHS National Constitution and selection procedures and agree that our chapter will abide by the requirements established by the
National Council of the National Honor Society (www.nhs.us/constitutions).

___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ __________________

Principal's name (please print) Principal’s signature (required) Date

___________________________________________
E-mail address
*National Honor Society is a program of NASSP
National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society
Accepted Accrediting Organizations
The national constitution requires all nonpublic schools to be accredit-
ed by one of the approved accrediting agencies or approved by the state
department of education in their state (Article IV, Section 1). The list
that follows is of those accrediting agencies recognized by the NHS &
NJHS National Council for this purpose.
When listing the accrediting organization on the official Charter
Application, applicant schools are also asked to provide formal verifica-
tion of this accreditation.
Verification can be in the form of: A copy of the letter received at the
school indicating that full accreditation has been granted (and not can-
didate status), a copy of the accrediting certificate, or a copy of a list of
schools that have been approved for accreditation that includes the
applicant school's name and the date the list was published.
Accreditation must be complete before a charter application can be
approved. Please contact the national office if you need additional clari-
fication of these instructions (800-253-7746, extension 214).
National & Regional Accrediting Agencies:
Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools, www.msache.org
New England Association of Schools & Colleges, www.neasc.org
North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School
Improvement (formerly the North Central Association of Colleges &
Schools), www.ncacasi.org
Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS)
www.northwestaccreditation.org/
Southern Association of Colleges & Schools, www.sacs.org
Western Association of Schools & Colleges, www.wascweb.org
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) (accredited by states in which located), Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS)
http://www.ios.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html
Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)*
National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA)**
National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA),
http://www.southernlcms.org/Educat01.htm
State Departments of Education (only those that accredit nonpublic Association of Waldorf Schools of North America
schools)
[* and ** see footnotes]
State Organizations (updated 2009):
Alabama Independent School Association
Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association
Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools (FAANS) approved
Accrediting Organizations
Georgia Accrediting Commission, Inc.
Georgia Private School Accreditation Council (GAPSAC)
Iowa, State Department of Education
Michigan Nonpublic School Accrediting Association
Michigan, University of Michigan (Bureau of School Services)
Minnesota Independent School Association
Minnesota Nonpublic School Accreditation Association
Mississippi Private School Association
Missouri Chapter, National Federation of Nonpublic Schools
Missouri Committee on Accredited Schools, Nonpublic
Missouri, University of Missouri
New York Schools of the Archdiocese of NY
New York, University of the State of New York
Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association
Puerto Rico - CADIE, Department of Public Instruction
South Carolina Independent School Association
Texas Catholic Conference
Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC)
Virginia Council for Private Education
Wisconsin Nonpublic School Accrediting Association
Footnotes:
* The following are recognized members of NAIS: www.nais.org
Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS)
Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS/CA)
Canadian Educational Standards Institute (CESI)
Central States, Independent Schools Association of the (ISACS)
Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS/CT)
Council of International Schools (CIS)
Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS)
Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS)
New England, Association of Independent Schools in (AISNE)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS)
New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS)
Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS)
Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS)
Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)
Southwest, Independent Schools Association of the (ISAS)
Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES)
** The following are recognized members of NCPSA: www.ncpsa.org
Accrediting Association of Seventh Day Adventist Schools, Colleges and
Universities
American Montessori Society
Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
Association of Christian Teachers & Schools, Assemblies of God
Association of Independent Schools of Florida
Christian Schools International
Christian Schools of Florida
Florida Association of Christian Colleges & Schools
Florida Catholic Conference
Kentucky Non-Public School Commission
Montessori School Accreditation Commission
National Accreditation Board of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch
North American Christian School Accrediting Agency
National Christian School Association
National Independent Private Schools Association
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation
Organizations NOT accepted for accrediting purposes:
American Association of Christian Schools
Cook County, IL, Office of Educational Services
National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) (NCEA is not an accrediting
organization)
North Carolina Department of Non-Public Schools
Texas Organization of Christian Schools
(Updated 3.09)
 Some Important Dates For
Your New Chapter:
September:  rrival of your annual catalog of publications, supplies, and insignia items,
A
the Back-to-School newsletter, and your first issue of Leadership for Student
Activities magazine.
January:  eadline for submitting nominations for the annual national scholarship
D
program (scholarship program notifications mailed to advisers in
November).
Spring:  EAD Conferences—regional leadership development conferences for
L
students and advisers. Also, arrival of your annual affiliation renewal notice
addressed to the school principal.
June 30:  nd of the current membership year; deadline for submission of the Annual
E
Report Form for all chapters.

A complete copy of this charter application packet and other supporting

documents can be found online under “Starting a Chapter” at www.nhs.us.
The logos, names, abbreviations and emblems of the National Honor Society, the National Junior Honor Society, and the National
Association of Secondary School Principals are trademarks or property of NASSP registered with the United States Patent and Trademark
Office, protected by federal regulations, and may not be copied or used without specific written permission from NASSP.

For more information, refer to the monthly editions of

Leadership for Student Activities magazine and visit the NHS homepage at www.nhs.us.
© 2009 NASSP. All rights reserved. NHSChAppPkt3.09