Membership

Become a Member of NCHS

Celebrate the culture. Earn your cords. Lead your community.

By Roots OR By Reach. 

Why Join the National Celtic Honor Society?

Membership in the NCHS is a mark of academic distinction and cultural dedication that stands out on college applications and resumes. As an inducted member, you will:

• Earn Graduation Recognition: Active, senior members in good standing earn the right to wear official NCHS honor cords at their high school graduation.

• Build Your Resume: Demonstrate commitment to diversity, cultural appreciation, and academic excellence to college admissions boards.

• Develop Leadership Skills: Take on officer roles, organize school-wide cultural events, and lead community service projects.

• Find Your Community: Connect with other students who share a passion for history, languages, arts, and global cultures.

Membership & Induction Requirements

Phase 1: General Membership (Candidate Status) 

To join your school's chapter as a General Member, students must meet the following baseline national standards:

• Academic Standing: Maintain a cumulative Unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher.

• Cultural Interest: Possess a genuine desire to study and celebrate the cultures of the Celtic nations.

• Character: Maintain an excellent disciplinary record and demonstrate a willingness to serve the school community.

Phase 2: The Path to Induction 

NCHS is a rigorous, action-oriented honor society. To achieve official induction into the National Celtic Honor Society, the highest honor of the Society, General Members must earn four distinct Membership Seals over their high school career.

You will receive an initial Membership Certificate with placeholders for these four seals. To earn them, you must demonstrate initiative by completing advisor-approved projects in our four core seals:

• The Scholarly Seal (Blue): Earned by advancing cultural learning within the club, such as developing an educational presentation or creating research materials.

• The Service Seal (Green): Earned by contributing through service and outreach, such as coordinating a charity drive or representing the club at a community function.

• The Cultural Seal (Red): Earned by actively engaging in cultural practice, such as leading a hands-on workshop or helping produce a seasonal celebration.

• The Leadership Seal (Gold): Earned by leading and strengthening the club, such as serving as an officer or taking the initiative to plan events.

The Official Induction Kit & Graduation Cords

Upon successfully earning all four Membership Seals, students are officially inducted into the society and receive the official NCHS Induction Kit. This kit provides students with lasting symbols of their achievement to be used during their high school tenure and at graduation.

General Membership (Candidate Status) is free at the national level. Your local chapter provides your initial Membership Certificate with placeholders for your seals.

The Official Induction Kit:

Once a student has earned their four seals, a one-time $30 Induction Fee is collected. This provides lifetime membership and includes your complete NCHS Induction Kit:

Note to Students & Parents: Membership is for life. There are no monthly or annual national dues. Candidates pay no national fees to join their local chapter. The one-time $30 Induction Fee is only collected once a student has fulfilled all requirements and is officially selected for induction. This fee covers their full induction kit and permanent registration in the national NCHS database.

How to Apply 

Step 1: Check Your School: Ask your school counselors or club directors if your school currently has an active NCHS Chapter.

Step 2: Submit an Application: If your school has a chapter, reach out to the Chapter Advisor to request an application. Accepted students will become General Members (Candidates). 

Step 3: Earn Your Seals: Work with your chapter to complete projects and earn your Scholarly, Service, Cultural, and Leadership seals. 

Step 4: The Induction Ceremony: Once your four seals are earned, you will pay your one-time Induction Fee and be officially knighted into the society with your cords and pin during your school's formal NCHS Induction Ceremony. 

Don't have an NCHS Chapter at your school? 

You can be the founding student! All it takes is one passionate teacher to act as your Chapter Advisor. Head over to our Start page and use our 1-click tool to instantly send a pre-written email to your favorite teacher asking them to sponsor your new club!