How to Write a Recommendation Letter for National Honor Society

The National Honor Society, or NHS, works to recognize and honor high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who excel in the classroom. The four pillars of the NHS are character, scholarship, leadership and service. To become a member of the NHS, a teacher needs to write a recommendation letter for the student that describes how the student demonstrates each of the pillars. A stellar letter will increase the odds that the student will gain entrance into the society.

Learn about NHS

The NHS is an organization that honors high school students who receive good grades. The NHS website notes that the society is more than an honor roll because, in addition to good grades, it also recognizes students who demonstrate leadership, service and character. The NHS started in 1921, and now has chapters in all 50 states, as well as in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Canada. Once a member, a student is encouraged to continue excelling by being active in his school and community. If you know someone who deserves to be in the NHS, a recommendation letter for the student is in order.

Introduce the Student

Begin your recommendation letter for the student by sharing your personal connection. For example, write that you've had the student in your math class for the past two years or that you were introduced to the student when you became her basketball or softball coach. This aspect of the letter is usually short, but it's important because it establishes that you know the student well enough to recommend her acceptance into the NHS.

Describe What Makes the Student Special

The bulk of the recommendation letter for the student will include information about why they would be a good fit for the NHS. Some chapters of the NHS ask that you rank a student based on her leadership skills and character, while other chapters also want information about how dependable, motivated, honest, courteous and resourceful a student is. A description of the four pillars of the NHS with specific examples of how a student upholds them might also be included in the letter.

Close With Kind Words

The end of your recommendation letter for the student should include a few good words about the student, as well as your wholehearted recommendation that she deserves to be a member of the NHS. For example, you might end with a sentence stating that you enthusiastically or without reservation recommend the student to be a valuable addition and asset to the NHS. Include a statement welcoming the reviewer of the letter to contact you with further questions and provide your preferred contact information, as well. End the letter with your signature.