National Honor Society

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The Eta Sigma Alpha (ESA) National Home School Honor Society is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding home school students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and integrity.

The Shepherd’s Homeschoolers National Honor Society is the Pi Chapter of the Eta Sigma Alpha National Home School Honor Society. Our Honor Society, for students in 9th-12th grades, focuses on Leadership, Integrity, Networking, Community Service, and Scholarship.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

SPONSORS

The 2024-2025 school year’s Honor Society co-sponsors are Lesley Biller and Jessica Cantrell.  You may contact them at:   nhhsshepherds@gmail.com.

MISSION STATEMENT

“The purpose of Eta Sigma Alpha National Home School Honor Society shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among home school students. To achieve this purpose, Eta Sigma Alpha National Home School Honor Society shall provide opportunities for the development of leadership and service. Eta Sigma Alpha shall encourage the development of an intellectual climate that will stimulate the exchange of ideas and ideals, foster scholarship, and promote academic excellence. Eta Sigma Alpha shall also advocate homeschooling as a viable and successful educational methodology and act as a liaison for homeschooling to the general public, colleges/universities, and the media.”

Eta, the Greek letter that is shaped like an “h” and Sigma, the letter for “s” were chosen, along with Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet to create the name of Eta Sigma Alpha. Eta Sigma Alpha means the “first homeschool” honor society.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Membership will be open to any Christian home school student in grades 9-12 who meets the nationally standardized test score requirement, exhibits integrity in leadership, and participates in community service and/or church ministry.

Scholarship:

Students must exhibit a high scholastic level by providing test scores from the most recent testing period from one of the following nationally standardized tests.

Mandatory test score requirements for membership:

  • 91 (CLT)
  • 88 (CLT 10)
  • 1200 (SAT)
  • 1200 (PSAT)
  • 1200 (PSAT 10)
  • 1200 (PSAT 8/9 for a 9th grade student)
  • 26 (ACT)
  • 26 (Pre-ACT 10)
  • 26 (Pre-ACT 8/9)
  • 90% composite score on the Iowa ITBS or ITED)
  • 90% on the total battery (the score listed under the National PR-S or PR column) on the Stanford
  • 90% total score (listed under the NPR column) on the Terra Nova 2 (CAT 6) 2nd Edition nationally normed standardized achievement tests is required for ESA membership.

When taking the Iowa ITBS, Iowa ITED, Stanford or Terra Nova 2 (CAT 6) the complete battery including science, social studies, language arts, spelling, reading, mathematics, and vocabulary must be taken. We do not accept the basic battery or core battery for admission.

  • The test score must come from one test. Section scores from different tests may not be combined to achieve the required test score for membership. Although some college scholarship applications accept super scoring, we do not. NO EXCEPTIONS .
  • Test scores should not be more than 1 year old.
  • All tests must be administered in a group setting if a parent is helping with the test administration. If a group setting is not possible, a non-family member may administer the test in a one-on-one setting, as long as the parent does not have access to the test. Parent administered tests are not acceptable.

For information on this standard, please refer to the ESA National Honor Society website: www.etasigmaalpha.com/membership/

Service:

This quality is defined through voluntary contributions made by the student to ministry within the church and/or community service. The student must complete a minimum of 20 hours each year. Please keep accurate records of your volunteer hours to be submitted at the end of the year to complete your membership requirements.

Integrity:

New members must be recommended by two non-family adults. One recommendation must be from a church leader or staff member who has regular contact with the student.

Christian:

Students must be attending a local Bible-believing church. Parents and students must sign the “Statement of Faith” on the application form.

MEMBERSHIP

Students are allowed to miss a maximum of three (3) events.

New Member Requirements:

2 Adult recommendations (one from church)

Completed Online Registration

Essay Prompt: Selection for membership into NHHS is based on excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and integrity. In no more than 650 words, how do you exemplify these qualities?

Test Scores (up to date, meeting the standards)

Membership with Shepherd’s Homeschoolers (free) Shepherd’s Homeschoolers | A Homeschool Co-Op in Cary, NC

Pay $65 Membership Fee

Parents volunteer to help during the year (one time per student enrolled)

Renewing Membership:

Completed Online Registration

Pay $65 Membership Fee

Parents volunteer to help during the year (one time per student enrolled)