NJHS

NJHS is made up of select 7th and 8th grade students at Sonoran Foothills School. Sixth grade students are notified of eligibility the beginning of the fourth quarter of their 6th-grade year. All NJHS members must adhere to our NJHS guidelines.

Most meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 8:00 am in the Library. Please do not enter the library early.

August 11th

September 8th

October 6th (Earlier due to Fall Break and Parent Teacher Conferences)

November 10th Veterans Day Parade - No meeting

December 15th - Semester 1 Hours Due

No January Meeting

February 9th

March 9th

April 13th

May 4th - Semester 2 Hours Due

6th Grade students will be notified of eligibility based on third quarter GPA of 3.75 or above in the four content classes to be considered for membership. See the candidate requirements below:

• NJHS Resume. This must be typed or printed neatly in blue or black ink. Google Docs templates have several Resume templates to help when writing a Resume.

• Subjective Letter. This letter must be typed and written in business letter format. This is a one-page letter in which you show how you currently represent each of the pillars of NJHS and how you can use these qualities to contribute to the overall success of the organization. The pillars include: character, scholarship, leadership, service, and citizenship. In this letter, you will also state your decision to join NJHS and commit to all requirements.

• Scoring Rubric. NJHS membership is not a guarantee. Applicants will be evaluated on a 100 point NJHS 5 Pillars Rubric. Each Pillar will be assessed based on feedback from current 6th grade teachers. To qualify, applicants must score at or above 80 on this Rubric.

Applications and candidacy will not be accepted or considered after this date and time.

You will be notified of acceptance or denial by May 15th, 2026.

Eligibility

• All students interested in membership must be enrolled at a school with an active NJHS chapter and must have completed the equivalent of one semester of enrollment. Chapters may consider students in grades 6–9 for membership (SF 7 & 8). The chapter’s bylaws and published selection procedure description should outline which of these eligible grade levels will be considered for membership in the chapter and when.
• Sixth graders must be in their second semester of sixth grade for consideration.
  
• New students must complete one full semester before being eligible to join NJHS.

Pillars of Membership

• Scholarship
  Students must first meet this criterion to become candidates for membership. NJHS national policy requires that each chapter set a cumulative GPA as their Scholarship criteria.
  
  Sonoran Foothills minimum GPA is 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.
  
  
• Service
  This involves voluntary contributions made by a student and done without compensation. Chapters can require evidence of service to either the school, the community or both. Each chapter sets its own requirements for this criterion. 20 service hours for entire year required; 10 hours per semester of both on campus and off campus volunteering.
  
  
• Leadership
  Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others. Chapters can require evidence of leadership from within school or the community or both. Each chapter sets its own requirements for this criterion.
  
  
• Character
  The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others. A chapter’s faculty council may review or consider disciplinary records when evaluating this criterion.
  
  
• Citizenship
  In general, the student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic engagement; has a high regard for freedom and justice; and respects democracy. Each chapter sets its own requirements for this criterion.

Understanding the Obligations of Membership

Students who accepted and inducted into the chapter should be aware of the time and commitment involved with their membership. The chapter adviser should provide new members with a written copy of the chapter’s membership obligations. These obligations may include chapter meetings, chapter service projects and individual service requirements. Some chapters also charge dues to help cover chapter expenses. (Dues cannot exceed $20 per year.) Members should also receive a copy of the chapter bylaws. See NJHS Handbook File below.

Email: kara.kadotani@dvusd.org
Website: https://www.dvusd.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=23444
Phone: 623.445.8400