NHS is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. Those characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921. 

Membership for NHS is available only for grades 10-12. Each October, the sponsor checks the grade point averages to determine who qualifies for NHS. Students must have a 4.0 overall G.P.A. to be invited into the chapter. Students who are invited must interview with a five-member faculty council for final determination.

After all students are inducted, they must maintain a 3.8 G.P.A. If a student's G.P.A. falls below this requirement, he or she will be placed on academic probation for one-nine week grading period.