The purpose of the National Honor Society is 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.

Membership is an honor bestowed upon a student. Selection for membership is by a faculty council and is based on outstanding scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Students cannot apply for membership. To be eligible, a student must be in attendance at Belmont High School one semester and meet the criteria for scholarship, leadership, service, and character that are listed below (adapted from the National Honor Society Handbook).

Students must have a minimum cumulative weighted grade point average of 4.0, or an unweighted grade point average of 3.4.

The student who exercises leadership:

• Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions
• Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities
• Exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals
• Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school
• Is able to delegate responsibilities
• Exemplifies positive attitudes
• Inspires positive behavior in others
• Demonstrates academic initiative
• Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility; conducts business effectively and efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability
• Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other community activities
• Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted
• Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude.

The student who serves:

• Volunteers and provides dependable and well organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance
• Works well with others and willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities
• Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school
• Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and interscholastic competition
• Does committee and staff work without complaint
• Participates in some activity outside of school, for example, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged
• Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools
• Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.

The student of character:

• Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations
  graciously
• Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior
  (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)
• Upholds principles of morality and ethics
• Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
• Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
• Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
• Observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside of the classroom
• Has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies
• Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistake of others
• Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment.

Selection will be by a majority vote of the faculty council. Students must submit proof of leadership, community service, references for character, and a personal essay.

The faculty council shall meet to select members and to consider dismissal, nonselection, and warning cases. Upon request from students not selected for this honor, every effort will be made to explain the selection process. Schools are not obliged to share with parents and students information concerning nonselection of specific students. The principal will listen to concerns from students not selected or from the parent(s)/guardian(s) of such students. It is possible for the principal to reconvene the faculty council only if a procedural mistake has been made.

Once selected, members are required to continue to demonstrate the qualities of scholarship, character, leadership, and service; and to fulfill other responsibilities outlined in the National Honor Society Constitution.

The chapter advisor shall be responsible for the direct, day-to-day supervision of the chapter and act as liaison between faculty, administration, students, and community.

The principal shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the faculty council and chapter.