The National Honor Society (NHS) is an organization for high school students in the United States and outlying territories. It was founded in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. NHS recognizes high schoolers who meet high academic standards, emphasizing leadership and service. Membership is based on four criteria: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. To be eligible for membership, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a cumulative grade of 85%. However, each chapter sets its own standards for membership, and some chapters set higher academic standards to join. NHS requires some sort of service to the community, school, or other organizations, and many chapters maintain a requirement for participation in such service activities. NHS chapters are commonly active in community service activities both in the community and at the school, and on average, each chapter contributes 1,000 hours of community service. NHS membership provides students with access to scholarships, leadership training, and a values-based framework to elevate a culture of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.