Eta Sigma Apha

National Home School Honor Society

History

Eta Sigma Alpha (ESA) is the National Homeschool Honor Society that was established in 1999 to recognize the scholarly achievements of students who are homeschooled. The history explains how ESA was started and how the name was selected.

Nebraska Homeschool is proud to hold the charter and sponsor the local Chi Zeta Chapter for our homeschool community.

Eta Sigma Alpha

Eta Sigma Alpha (ESA) is the first honor society established exclusively for homeschooled students in grades nine through twelve (9th - 12th). Learn more about the founding of ESA.

History of the Name

The following Greek letters were chosen: Eta (shaped like the letter "h"), Sigma (the Greek letter for "s"), and Alpha (the first letter of the Greek alphabet) to create the name Eta Sigma Alpha for the meaning of the "first home school" honor society.

ESA National Chapter: 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 shall 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."

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements reflect those of the national (parent) organization and the local Chi Zeta Chapter.

We encourage you to recognize your student's achievements with ESA membership. We also encourage all ESA members to list the honor society on high school transcripts and college applications.

Chi Zeta Chapter Eligibility Criteria

1. Must be a homeschool student – Only students who meet the ESA definition of a homeschooler are eligible for membership: a student must complete 50% of his/her studies at home under the direct supervision of the parent. Co-ops, group classes, and even community college courses are acceptable as long as the 50% rule is followed.

2. The following students are not eligible for ESA membership: students enrolled in public school programs, charter school programs, full-time college programs, or other programs where:

a. More than 50% of the school time is spent in the supervision of a school setting, or

b. The public school receives 50% funding for the student's attendance, or

c. The public school system, umbrella school, or online school assigns grades without parent participation. (Reference www.etasigmaalpha.com)

3. Must be in grades 9-12 and at least 14 years of age.

4. Seniors must apply by December 31^st of their senior year. If a senior is waiting for test results, the application may be submitted with a note indicating “test scores are pending.”

5. Must have completed one of the following nationally normed standardized achievement tests and test scores must not be more than 1 year old:

Tests Accepted by Chi Zeta Chapter
ACT: 26	Stanford Achievement Test: 90% total battery National PR-S column
SAT: 1200	Terra Nova 2 (CAT 6) 2nd Edition: 90% NPR column
PSAT: 1200	ITBS or ITED: 90% composite
CLT: 88
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 WILL BE MADE FOR ANYONE! 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. 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.* With the continuing technology changes, online testing is currently being offered more frequently in lieu of hard copy testing. Online testing may be used if given at a testing center or at a private tester's facility. Parents must not have access to the student, computer, or test materials while the test is being administered.* Students must not have access to other electronic devices which may connect to the internet, email or texting during testing.

Application

If your student would like to apply for membership in the ESA National Homeschool Honor Society, Chi Zeta Chapter, please complete our honor society application process.

All eligible homeschool students are welcome to apply. Chapter dues are $30 (one-time fee). This fee is waived for families with an active Nebraska Homeschool membership.

Application Process (Chi Zeta Chapter)

To apply please complete the Chi Zeta application form and provide the required additional documents. Applications are submitted via our online form. CHI ZETA CHAPTER APPLICATION LINK

1. Complete all sections of the online application. Instructions are embedded in the application form.

2. You will need the following:

Proof of homeschooling (NDE Exempt School Acknowledgment Letter or Submission Email - must contain the student's name)
Paragraph describing how you will be an ESA ambassador
Record of your community service0
Copy of your official SAT, ACT, PSAT, Iowa, Terra Nova, or Stanford test score results
Essay response to one of the provide prompts

3. Secure TWO (2) letters of recommendation from non-relatives. Letters of recommendation must come directly from the author (not from the applicant). Provide this link to the people who are writing your reference letters. We will contact them as needed to verify the information. REFERENCE LETTER LINK