The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921.

Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in NHS activities. NHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

Eligibility

Students in grades 10–­­12 who meet the requirements for membership outlined by their school’s chapter are eligible to be invited for membership.

Each chapter is required to publish its qualifications for membership, which is based on the four pillars of NHS:

• SCHOLARSHIP: According to District standards, students must have a cumulative GPA of 90, A, 4.0, or equivalent standard of excellence. This is based on an unweighted GPA.
• SERVICE: This involves voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation.
• 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.
• CHARACTER: The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record.
  Students who meet the scholarship requirement will have an opportunity to complete a form detailing their accomplishments in and commitment to service, leadership, and character.

Expectations

Students who accept membership and are inducted into the chapter should be aware of the time and commitment involved with this honor. For example, there will be chapter meetings. The chapter bylaws should articulate the yearly meeting schedule and member attendance obligations. Members also must participate in chapter and individual service projects to benefit the school and community. Contact the chapter adviser to obtain a full list of the obligations of membership for the school’s chapter.

Information is the basis of the NEISD journalism program. Students meet the challenge of collecting news, interviewing sources, researching topics, shooting photos and videos and publishing them.

Emphasis is placed on accuracy as well as publication quality. Students are challenged with gathering accurate information and disseminating it quickly into the public to keep them informed. They are the only history keepers who record the entire school year for future readers.

Lettering Awards Policy - Journalism

Expectations

Students will produce coverage in newspaper, yearbook, and broadcast media formats and compete in various academic events.

Courses Offered:

Teacher approval and prior journalism experienced is required for all advanced course.

• Journalism H1703
• Broadcast Journalism I H1705
• Broadcast Journalism II H1706
• Broadcast Journalism III H1707
• Photojournalism H1720
• Advanced Digital Journalism I (Newspaper) H1743
• Advanced Digital Journalism II (Newspaper) H1744
• Advanced Digital Journalism III (Newspaper) H1745
• Yearbook Productions I H1746
• Yearbook Productions II H1747
• Yearbook Productions II H1748

Our Speech and Debate programs seek to develop student potential in the areas of written and oral communication.

The North East ISD Speech and Debate programs have enjoyed several years of success in local, regional, state, and national competition. Students are encouraged and challenged by their coaches to compete at their highest level.

Eligibility

NEISD offers a duel credit course of debate/public speaking and oral interp/public speaking. Students completing three years of either course will satisfy the requirements for the CATE endorsement of Business and Industry, as well as, satisfy the fourth year of English elective requirement.

Expectations

Each high school program competes in Texas Forensic Association (TFA), National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), Tournament of Champions (TOC), National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC), and University of Interscholastic League (UIL) meets. The tournament season continues throughout the year beginning in August and ending in June. These competitive events include:

Students in each program attend an average of 12 tournaments a year with an additional 4 post-season tournaments for schools with qualifying students.

Courses Offered:

• Oral Interp I H5810
• Oral Interp II H5815
• Oral Interp III H5816
• Debate I H5820
• Debate II H5825
• Debate III (Honors) H5827
• Debate IV H5830
• Independent Studies H5828

North East School District has a strong tradition in the University Interscholastic League academics competition. The contests complement the academic curriculum, motivate students to acquire higher levels of knowledge, challenge students to confront issues of importance, and provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of specific skills.

Eligibility State Standards
Lettering Policy—UIL Academics

Events included in the district’s Academic UIL Program:

• Accounting
• Calculator Applications
• Computer Applications
• Computer Science
• Current Issues and Events
• Journalism *
• Literary Criticism
• Number Sense
• Ready Writing
• Science
• Social Studies
• Speech and Debate *
• Spelling and Vocabulary
• Theatre *

*Academic lettering policy excludes Journalism, Speech and Debate, and Theatre, which have their own lettering policies. Each program’s lettering policy can be found in the program’s eligibility section.

Expectations

North East ISD UIL Academics is an afterschool program. High School programs include weekly practice sessions, invitational meet competitions, and participation in the UIL season