Parents are encouraged to attend award assemblies. The recognition of good work is endorsed in the scriptures, from the writings of Solomon (Proverbs), to those of Paul (Romans, Ephesians, I Timothy, etc.). Therefore, we seek to publicly recognize those students accomplishing the necessary prerequisites to receive the applicable award/ honor in areas including academics, athletics, art, music, ACSI competitions, National Honor Society (NHS), and other awards as appropriate.
National Honor Society
Eligible candidates for the GRACE chapter of the National Honor Society are selected by a faculty council that includes the principal and Upper Campus faculty. Students will be assessed for NHS eligibility at the end of July following their sophomore or junior year according to the following criteria:
- Candidates must be members of the rising junior or senior class.
- Candidates must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one school year at GRACE Christian School.
- Candidates must have a weighted minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.7.
- Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, character (note: students with disciplinary infractions may be excluded from membership), and the recommendation of the GRACE faculty.
- Candidates must have all their GRACE community service hours up to date (20 hours per year in high school at GRACE).
- After being notified of their eligibility, students may decide to complete and submit the candidate application to be considered for induction.
In addition to maintaining the standards that earn membership, NHS members attend chapter meetings, perform service projects that benefit their school and communities, and fulfill other responsibilities as required by GRACE Christian School, including the following:
- Chapter community service project. All chapters of the National Honor Society are required to complete a chapter service project each year. At GRACE, we have created a tutoring program to meet this requirement. NHS students are required to tutor other GRACE students a minimum of 10 hours per year. Tutoring must be with a GRACE student, because this service project is specifically for this community. Tutoring siblings will be permitted only if the sibling’s teacher has signed and returned the Sibling Tutoring Confirmation Form. Students must log all hours on the NHS Tutoring Form or in the Givefinity app. A supervising adult must sign off that they witnessed the tutoring being completed. Tutoring must be completed during the school year, and hours must be submitted before the last day of school.
- Individual service hours. Students must also complete 10 hours of community service of their choice. This can be additional tutoring if they would like, or they can seek out and fulfill other community service needs. Students log all completed hours on the NHS Individual Service Hour form or the Givefinity app. A supervising adult must sign off that the student completed the service described. These individual service hours are in addition to the 20 community service hours required of all GRACE students as a graduation requirement. Service hours may be completed during the summer as long as the supervision and sign-off requirements are met. Students who consistently fulfill all of these requirements will be allowed to wear the NHS cords at GRACE Christian School’s graduation ceremony.
Honor Roll
At the end of each semester, qualifying middle and high school students will be placed on the Principal’s List and Honor Roll. GRACE’s criteria for the Principal’s List requires all A’s, and the Honor Roll placement requires all A’s and B’s in all subjects including enrichments and elective classes. Students in modified classes are not eligible for honor roll recognition. Honor Roll is designated on the report card.
Graduation Honors & Valedictorian Policy
In order to qualify for the honor of Valedictorian of the Senior Class, a student must have received 50% of his/her high school credits from GRACE Christian School in Raleigh, NC. The student must have taken a minimum of 6 classes in their senior year at GRACE and meet state attendance requirements (no more than 20 absences). The determination of academic honors for the senior class is calculated at the end of the 1st semester of the senior year.
