Homeschool National Honor Society

One accomplishment that many high school students strive for is membership in the National Honor Society. It is a mark of academic achievement, leadership experience and character that students can add to their transcripts and college admission forms. Most colleges and programs look favorably upon members. To my surprise, the National Honor Society does not allow homeschoolers to be recognized by their organization. So, how can homeschoolers gain this kind of recognition?

My homeschooling mentor and best friend has done the research and started a local Eta Sigma Alpha chapter. (I am acting as a co-sponsor.) This is a national honor society formed specifically for homeschoolers. Eta Sigma Alpha was started in 1999 by homeschool parents who tried to form a homeschool chapter of the National Honor Society and were denied. Just like the National Honor Society, Eta Sigma Alpha serves to be that mark of achievement for homeschoolers. Their mission statement is as follows.

“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.”

To become a member of Eta Sigma Alpha, students must meet certain academic standards. Students must be entering ninth through twelfth grade and be home schooled at least 51%.  The national organization has mandatory requirements for membership based upon standardized test scores.  Acceptable test scores include:
*1800+ for the SAT
*180+ for the PSAT
*26+ for the ACT
*90% or higher on the Stanford Achievement, California Achievement, or Iowa Achievement.

Each individual chapter may have additional requirements. For instance, our chapter will require participation in a service project giving our members leadership skills and experience in serving.

Being part of such a program can add credibility to our homeschooling endeavors. It can prove that we, as homeschoolers, can give an academically fulfilling education to our children that rivals that of any institution. Just another tool in our homeschooling toolbox!