HOMESCHOOL IOWA
HONOR SOCIETY

Homeschool Iowa Honor Society

HOMESCHOOL IOWA HONOR SOCIETY
Psi Gamma Chapter

Eta Sigma Alpha
National Home School Honor Society

Requirements for Membership:

  • Must be a member of a family with a current Homeschool Iowa membership
  • Must be a high school junior or senior
  • Must submit qualifying test score 
    (see details below)
  • Must provide a written recommendation
    from a pastor or elder of a church
  • Must provide a record of community service
    (2025/26 applicants will be required to document at least 20 hours in the school year, with a minimum of 2 hours with Homeschool Iowa)
  • Must pay $25 per school year membership fee,
    which provides membership in our Iowa chapter and in the national chapter

IMPORTANT DEADLINE


Seniors must submit application by
OCTOBER 31
of their senior year.

Information About Eta Sigma Alpha

Eta Sigma Alpha National Home School Honor Society

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 home schooling to the general public, colleges/universities, and the media."

History

Eta Sigma Alpha is the first honor society established exclusively for home schooled students. Founded in 1999 by Joanne E. Juren, M.Ed., Executive Director of the Home Education Partnership of Texas, it has grown into a national organization. 
As a former public school administrator, Juren contacted the National Honor Society with the intent of forming a homeschool chapter for her sons and others in a local support group in 1997.
When told that NHS did not accept homeschool students, Juren decided to start a new honor society for home schoolers.
Over the next two years, the idea for Eta Sigma Alpha was refined and the "Alpha" chapter was started in 1999 through the Home Education Partnership of Texas. 

Eta Sigma Alpha
History of the name

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.
Thus Eta Sigma Alpha means the “first home school” honor society.