Membership is based on the five pillars of NJHS:

Scholarship
The student who achieves scholarship:

• Is a sixth, seventh, or eighth grader who has proven himself academically by maintaining scores of 85 or above for each marking period in every class. 

Service
The student who serves:

• Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude
• Participates in some outside activity: Girl Scouts; Boy Scouts; church groups; volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged; family duties
• Volunteers dependable and well-organized assistance is gladly available and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance
• Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities
• Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school
• Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition
• Does committee and staff work without complaint
• Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students

Leadership
The student who exercises leadership:

• Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying moral and ethical principles, and making appropriate suggestions
• Demonstrates leadership in promoting school activities
• Exercises influence on peers in upholding school ideals
• Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school
• Is able to delegate responsibilities
• Exemplifies a positive attitude
• Inspires positive behavior in others
• Demonstrates academic initiative
• Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility
• Conducts business efficiently and effectively and is reliable and dependable without prompting
• Demonstrates leadership in the classroom and in school activities
• Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted

Character
The student of character:

• Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
• Constantly exemplifies desirable qualities of personality (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)
• Upholds principles of morality and ethics
• Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, offices, halls, etc.
• Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
• Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
• Observes instructions and rules and practices punctuality and faithfulness both inside and outside of the classroom
• Has powers of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies
• Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating and plagiarism, and showing unwillingness to profit from the mistakes of others

Citizenship
The student who demonstrates citizenship:

• Understands the importance of civic involvement
• Has high regard for freedom and justice and respects the American form of government
• Demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, and school clubs