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.

The one-time $30 Registration Fee includes:

Upon Joining: Immediate National Registration and General Member Certificate.

Upon Induction: The Official Enamel Pin, the Embossed Induction Certificate, and your Graduation Cords.

Note to Students & Parents: Membership is for life. There are no monthly national dues. Your one-time fee covers your full induction kit and permanent registration in the national NCHS database. Please note that all registration fees are non-refundable, as they immediately cover administrative setup and access to society resources.

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 (the teacher in charge) to request a membership application. You will be evaluated on your academics, character, and interest in the culture.

Step 3: The Induction Ceremony: Accepted students will be officially welcomed into the society during their 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!