National Society of High School Scholars
Specific Goals for NSHSS - Academic Year 2004/2005

Click Here for Past NSHSS Goals

We believe a truly dynamic organization strives to communicate with and engage key stakeholders in a process of continuous improvement. With this in mind, we have published and continue to publish our goals and plans to meet the mission and vision of the Society. We actively seek your input to revise and improve our ideas, processes and activities to most effectively meet the needs of our members. Please email any specific suggestions to Scott Jordan, Director of Organizational Development.

1. Provide honor and recognition to outstanding high school students and offer membership in a dynamic international student organization.

   NSHSS recognizes outstanding students in all U.S. states, territories, and in many countries around the world. Through our process of identifying high achieving students, we send free letters of congratulation from Mr. Nobel to students and their families with an invitation to join NSHSS as a full member. We have created a secure nomination process for schools to register and nominate their qualifying students. For students to be eligible to join, they must be a second semester sophomore, junior, or senior with a cumulative 3.5 or better GPA. We have a one-time lifetime membership fee of $45.00 for students who join NSHSS, without any annual dues or renewals. In order to be inclusive of all students, we waive the fee for any student or family who finds the fee to be an economic hardship. All members enjoy a wide range of benefits as outlined in the member benefits section.
   

2. Award unique members-only scholarships for a wide range of talents and accomplishments.

   NSHSS has far exceeded the number of scholarships and awards promised in our initial goals. Based on the strength of our scholarship candidates, we immediately expanded from offering four scholarships per year to awarding nine in 2002 and thirty-one in 2003. In the first half of 2004, we have twenty-two awards. We will continue to expand the scholarships and awards as our resources allow.

   The scholarship program is managed by Dr. Susan Thurman; selections are based on academic achievement, leadership, community service, educators' recommendations, and personal essay.  Recipients are invited to member events to receive their awards personally from Advisory Board Chair Claes Nobel.

   The following unique scholarships and awards are available to NSHSS members

   • Claes Nobel Academic Scholarships - $5,000

   • National Scholar Awards - $1,000

   • International Scholar Awards - $1,000

   • Robert P. Sheppard Leadership Award  - $1,000

   • Academic Paper Awards - $250

   The following awards are available to NSHSS members through our partners

   • People to People Award - one free program valued up to $5,000

   • Presidential Classroom - one free program valued up to $1,175, one Public Service Scholarship (cash award) for $750.00

   • Projects Abroad - one free program valued between $1500 - $2000 provided to NSHSS for every 10 participants

   NSHSS has awarded $80,000 in scholarships and awards as of May 1^st, 2004 (this does not include partner awards). We have awarded 8 Claes Nobel Academic Scholarships, 33 National Scholar Awards, 1 International Scholar Award, 1 Robert P. Sheppard Leadership Award, and 20 Academic Paper Awards.

   Claes Nobel School of Distinction Award - $500

   In March 2004 The NSHSS Foundation began a program to highlight high schools for providing outstanding academic and community service opportunities for their students.  All schools selected must be nominated by students.  The awards will be presented monthly during the academic year and a check for $500 presented to the schools to use at their discretion.  The schools selected for March and April this year are respectively, Northport High School, Northport, New York; and the Indiana Academy of Science, Mathematics, and Humanities, in Muncie, Indiana.

   Scholarship selection process:

   All members may fill out scholarship application on the web by stated deadlines in the fall and spring academic terms.  Selected semi-finalists are required to submit an educator's recommendation form and letter, and a personal essay.  Winners are selected based on the strength of academic record, leadership activities, community service, educators' recommendations, and personal essay.

   

3. Develop electronic publications that inform, showcase members, and provide guidance on relevant issues.
   NSHSS publications have grown by leaps and bounds. The Scholar's Journal and the monthly update provide a wonderful chronicle of the accomplishments of NSHSS and the members. We will continue to add more useful content and features to these publications. We would like to introduce a feature that profiles an NSHSS advisory board member with a short Q&A to provide advice and inspiration for the membership.  

   Monthly update
   The monthly update is posted on the website and also emailed as an html newsletter each month to the membership and to a variety of educators. The update provides important dates and deadlines, news of member events, college tips, partner news, high school highlights, and the member showcase.  Each month, members are selected to be featured with their photographs, accomplishments, and personal statements.

   Scholar's Journal
   This electronic publication is issued semi-annually.  It contains substantive articles written by and for students and allows members the opportunity to be published writers.
   

4. Provide exclusive information and web content for members.
   We recognize the power of the Internet and know that our members like to utilize electronic resources. We spend a great deal of time and energy on maintaining and improving our electronic capabilities and in making our website safe, secure, user-friendly and content rich. The NSHSS web site provides complete access to who we are and what we are doing. We have qualified for the coveted BBB seal of online reliability after passing a thorough examination of our website and electronic practices. This provides reassurance to our members and the public that our website is accurate, honest, and reliable.
   Members can access the web to update their information, apply for scholarships, communicate with other members through our member connection forums, access partner information and opportunities, find research assistance through our online reference library, and utilize our "best-of" collection of resources for funding, preparing for, and applying to college. A new feature we will be rolling out soon is a college mentoring program that will allow high school members to connect with current college members for advice and questions about different schools.
   For the future we would like to add more content utilizing surveys and having experts respond to student questions and feedback on important issues. We will use this to create a knowledge database. We would also like to explore the idea of webcasting events so members can participate from home.
   

5. Build strategic partnerships with organizations which provide members with unique opportunities for educational assistance, volunteerism, leadership development, and scholarships.
   We have a great group of partners that provide unique value and opportunities for NSHSS members. We are taking particular care to partner with outstanding organizations that excel at doing good things for young people. We will continue to expand our partnerships and will start looking for ways to utilize the size of our membership to secure discounts for our members on things members utilize.
   

6. Raise awareness of NSHSS in the secondary and post-secondary academic community.
   NSHSS leadership attends conferences held by AAIE (Association for the Advancement of International Education), NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling), NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools), and NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals). We have developed an exhibit booth to inform educators about our organization and to allow schools to register to nominate students. We have established a special section on our website for educators. We have developed an electronic process for members to notify us of college acceptances. We are going to utilize this information to build relationships with schools of high interest for our members.
   

7. Hold member events in different regions around the country to allow key stakeholders an opportunity to participate more actively with the NSHSS at the local and regional level.
   We have made these national events free for members and their families. We are working on expanding the format and content of these gatherings to focus on celebration, inspiration, networking, and learning. We held 10 events during the 03/04 academic year and plan to again organize 10 member events in the coming academic year.
   

8. Continue providing value and benefits to members after high school graduation.
   We stay connected to our members as they move into college. These members are always invited to events and receive our publications. We solicit their input for articles about the transition to college and their first year experiences. Our new college mentoring program will provide a structured format for them to provide advice, insights, and guidance to the high school students.