The National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) is a program of the National Dance Education Organization. It is one of the most exciting benefits that NDEO offers its Institutional Members. This Secondary Program (grades 9-12) was implemented in 2005. The Collegiate Program was implemented in 2012, and a formal Junior Program (grades 6-8) was separated out from the Secondary Program and officially implemented in 2016. To date, there are over 1000 chapters in the US and over 10,000 students inducted over the past 2 years. NHSDA is based on the Thespians honor society, and NDEO acknowledges their generosity in allowing dance to follow the lead of theatre arts education through this program. 

This NHSDA Junior/Secondary Chapter Sponsor Handbook contains procedural guidelines for implementing the Junior NHSDA at the "middle school" level for students in grades 6-8, and the Secondary NHSDA at the “high school” level for students in grades 9-12.

How is the NHSDA Program Structured?

The National Honor Society for Dance Arts is run on an institutional basis. NHSDA Chapters at the Junior, Secondary, and Collegiate level are set up at individual schools or studios, and only students who are enrolled at that school may apply for induction. A dance faculty member must serve as the official Chapter Sponsor for the NHSDA Chapter at that location. Parent or student volunteers may assist the Chapter Sponsor at the sponsor’s discretion, but all communication with NDEO must be conducted by the Chapter Sponsor. Individual students, not enrolled at a school that hosts a current NHSDA Chapter, are not eligible for induction.

Download the Handbook here.