National Homeschool Honor Society

November 12, 7:17 AMRaleigh Homeschooling ExaminerStacey Cotrufo

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The official logo of the ESA

esa.homeeducationpartnership.com

Did you know that there is a National Honor Society for homeschoolers?  Amazingly enough, there is!  The Eta Sigma Alpha National Homeschool Society (ESA) is here for your honor-worthy homeschool students!  The mission statement of the ESA 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."

Founded in 1999, the Eta Sigma Alpha National Honor Society  was the first national honor society that was established exclusively for homeschoolers.  The founder, Joanne E. Juren M.Ed, started the organization when her own homeschool son and others like him were denied a charter with the National Homeschool Society.  The first charter was in Texas and now there are charters nationwide.  Texas and North Carolina have the largest numbers!

The local charter is the Northern Wake National Home School Society and you can read and print out their rules/by-laws here.  For example, all members must submit an application and students can apply as early as the summer before their 7th grade year.  To view and download an application for the Northern Wake chapter, you can click here. 

Some other important information to remember is that members must attend at least two-thirds of all of the meetings and complete at least two service projects per year - so it is not merely a matter of good grades, students must be active participants in the organization. 

This is a great opportunity for our students and a great way to recognize their academic achievements and impress colleges and universities.  For more information, be sure to go to the Eta Sigma Alpha website and read through their FAQ section.