Wake Forest Christian Honor Society for Home Schoolers

Question	Answer
Who is eligible for Psi Omicron membership?	Homeschooled students entering grades 7-12 are eligible to apply if they meet eligibility requirements. Students entering grades 7-9 would be considered Junior Honor Society members. We are a chapter of Eta Sigma Alpha National Homeschool Honor Society, and only those students who meet the HSLDA definition of a home schooler are eligible for ESA membership. This rule states that a student must complete 50% of his/her studies at home under the direct supervision of the parent. Co-op programs, group classes, and even community college courses are acceptable as long as the 50% rule is followed. Students enrolled in public school programs, charter school programs, full-time college programs, or other programs where more than 50% of the school time is spent in the supervision of a school setting or where the public school receives 50% funding for the student's attendance are not eligible for ESA membership. (See HSLDA's web page at www.hslda.org for more information.)
When and how can I apply?	Enrollment for the new school year begins in July, and will conclude in late August. All necessary forms are available on this website. They should be printed and brought to the August meeting, emailed to membership@wakeforesthonorsociety.com, or mailed to Anita MacLean, Re: WFCHS, 3616 Song Sparrow Drive, Wake Forest, NC 27587. Mailed forms are due postmarked by Sept. deadline listed on the application. Please be sure to include all supporting documents.
How much does it cost?	Membership dues are $35 per student for one year. Additional siblings in a family pay only $25.
What are the qualifications to apply?	As WFCHS is more than just an honor roll, the qualifications to join WFCHS reflect our four core principles: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. Please refer to our by-laws for specific information (see test score requirements below, however). View this chart which details the requirements for each age group.
What are the test scores required for eligibility?	As a chapter of Eta Sigma Alpha, we follow their requirements. Click to view... They are also listed below: A test score of 88 (CLT), 91 (CLT 10); 1200 (SAT), 1200 (PSAT), 1170(PSAT 10), 1090 (PSAT 8/9 for a 9th grade student), 1020 (PSAT 8/9 for an 8th grade student); 26 (ACT), 26 (Pre-ACT 10); a 90% composite score on the Iowa ITBS or ITED); 90% on the total battery (the score listed under the National PR-S column) on the Stanford; or 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 WILL BE MADE FOR ANY ONE! *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. 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.
Do New Member Applicants have to write an essay?	Yes. Leadership is one of the four distinguishing characteristics of students in National Honor Society. WFCHS requires students to do a self-assessment of their leadership history, and will also provide opportunities for students to demonstrate leadership once they are members. Both Junior and High School Honor Society first-time applicants must submit a brief written personal statement between 150 and 500 words, describing a way in which the prospective member has demonstrated leadership in their community, church, family, workplace, neighborhood, etc.
Do New Member Applicants have to get a letter of recommendation?	Yes, but only new applicants for entrance to the High School Honor Society. Junior member applicants do not. A reference letter fulfills the Character Pillar of our honor society. All first time applicants in rising grades 10-12 must submit one letter of reference, from a person other than a family member, to attest to the studentâ€™s character. View/Download PDF WFCHS Character Reference Form... View/Download WORD DOC WFCHS Character Reference Form...
Do New Member Applicants have to submit service hours to apply?	Yes, but only new applicants for entrance to the High School Honor Society. Junior member applicants do not. Those entering 10-12 grade must submit a minimum of 10 hours served in the 12-month period prior to application. Please use this form to record your hours. This requirement fulfills our Service Pillar. Please note that after acceptance, ALL members of both Junior and High School Honor Society must demonstrate a minimum of 25 hours of service in order to maintain membership (see "service" faq below).
How will I know if I've been accepted?	Accepted members will be notified formally via email prior to the September Induction Ceremony.
When are the meetings? How many do I need to attend?	Our meetings are on the third Thursday of every month, August through May. In order to remain a member in good standing, you must attend 2/3 of the first nine regular meetings. The May meeting is our End-of-Year Ceremony and does not count toward meeting attendance. Meeting dates and topics will be listed on our website. Please plan to attend all of our meetings, so that in the event of illness, schedule conflicts, or unforeseen circumstances, you will still meet this requirement.
How long do I have to stay at each meeting to get an attendance credit?	In order to receive credit for attending a meeting, students must be present during roll call at the beginning of the meeting and must remain until the President dismisses the students from the podium at the end of the meeting. Extenuating circumstances that would cause a student to arrive late or leave early must be cleared with advisers in advance.
What happens at an NHS meeting?	The meeting will begin with prayer, followed by a roll call to record attendance. Usually a guest speaker will present for about 30-40 minutes, followed by games and member-provided snacks. Some meetings include a group service project in lieu of a guest speaker.
What should I wear to honor society meetings?	At the Induction Ceremony in September and the End-of-Year Ceremony in May, dress should be Business Casual. For the regular meetings, the dress is casual. Please dress modestly.
What is the Induction Ceremony?	In September, new members will be formally inducted, or accepted into, the Wake Forest Christian Honor Society. Parents and family members are welcome to attend.
Where is the Medical Release Form?	Click here to view the Medical Release Form...
What is the End-of-Year Ceremony?	In May, there will be a special ceremony to recognize members in good standing and to present service awards. Parents and family members are welcome to attend.
What is the kickoff meeting?	The kickoff meeting in August is a time for families of potential members to get information, meet the advisers, ask questions, and meet other potential students. It is a night where you can submit your application and supporting documents in person. (Alternately, you can submit your papers afterwards via postal mail; they are due by the August 31st deadline.) All potential candidates are welcome and encouraged to stay for the meeting. If you are accepted, attendance at this meeting would count towards your 2/3 attendance requirement.
Once I am a member, what do I have to do to maintain my membership for the current year?	All honor society members and junior honor society members must: Perform 25+ hours of service during the "service year." We will use the Presidential Volunteer Service Award's website (PVSA) to record these hours https://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/. Our record key is WAE-2422. Attend 2/3 of regular meetings (6 out of 9 meetings).
Once I am a member, when should I start counting my service hours?	Our “service year” runs from March 1 through February 28/29th of the following year. For the 2019-2020 school year, your 25+ hours could be earned from March 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020.
What qualifies as a service hour?	Our service hours are based upon the recommendations for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Those recommendations state the following: Volunteers select the service they wish to do. The only service requirements we maintain are that the volunteer is not paid for the service and that the service efforts are not court-ordered. Please note that service hours do not qualify for Psi Omicron if the service is with your family-owned business, is performed for the benefit of only your family, or is part of an internship. Some examples of volunteer service are attending a charity event; volunteering at schools, hospitals, nursing homes or shelters; volunteering through faith-based organizations and groups; fundraising for a nonprofit organization; helping a neighbor in need.
How do I get my 25 service hours?	According to our by-laws, you need a minimum of 25 service hours per year to maintain your membership. The service chair will share qualifying opportunities for service as they become available. However, you are ultimately responsible to find these hours and keep a record of them throughout the service year (March 1-February 28) using the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards Website (PVSA) at https://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/. Our group's ROS key (Record of Service) is WAE-2422. Many of our members serve at local churches, camps, after-school programs, the library, food pantries, and local ministries like Hope Reigns and With Love from Jesus.
What is the Presidential Volunteer Service Award? How do I get one?	“Presidential recognition sets you apart from your peers. It is a tremendous honor. Even though you may not seek recognition, your example can deliver a powerful message that encourages others to take action.” In a nutshell, “the President´s Volunteer Service Award recognizes United States citizens and lawfully admitted, permanent residents of the United States who have achieved the required number of hours of service over a 12-month time period or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime.” WFCHS is a certifying organization for the PVSA and we strongly encourage our members to aim high and earn one of these prestigious awards. In order to do this, students need to create an account at www.presidentialserviceawards.gov and log in their hours for the Psi Omicron service year (March 1 – February 28). Psi Omicron students with a PVSA account will be given a code (record key WAE-2422) by the advisers to link their hours to our organization. WFCHS advisers can then certify the hours for members-in-good-standing, purchase the appropriate award, and present it to the student at the End-of-Year Ceremony in May. Please note that students, NOT advisers, are responsible for inputting their service hours on the PVSA website.
Why do you have a division between Junior Honor Society and Honor Society?	We believe that all qualifying students in grades 7-12 can and should be members of National Honor Society. It is a tremendous personal achievement, and being an inducted member is a great validation of student accomplishments, especially for homeschooled students seeking entry into a college or university. National Honor Society is for high school students who have demonstrated achievement in their high school studies; however, Psi Omicron does make an allowance for qualifying 7th, 8th, and 9th graders to join as junior members. It should be understood that membership in Junior Honor Society does not guarantee entry into National Honor Society when the student reaches 10th grade, and all the new member application qualifications must be met at that time. It should also be understood that the meeting topics will usually be of interest to college- and career-minded individuals. At this time, we do not have any separate activities for Junior Honor Society students. If in time the group grows to a sufficient size, it might become appropriate to subdivide the group if leadership can be found.
Is there any difference, then, between Junior Honor Society and Honor Society?	All honor society students in grades 7-12 may attend all WFCHS functions and meetings. The main differences lie in the slightly adjusted entry requirements for junior applicants, and in elected officer positions being reserved for Honor Society students only.
How am I expected to behave as an honor society member?	Members are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct listed below: Be respectful of and attentive to guest speakers. This includes remaining quiet and self-controlled while the speaker is presenting, as well as keeping cell phones and electronic devices silenced and put away. Be on time for meetings and other scheduled events, and remain until you are dismissed. Be respectful of fellow students, parents, and advisers. Dress in a manner appropriate for honor society activities. Participate in organized group and social activities when you are present. Remain in the areas designated for honor society activities. Refrain from foul language at all times.
What happens if I...	Don't complete 25+ service hours or attend enough meetings during the year? This means that you did not meet our membership maintenance requirements and will not be recognized at our End-of-Year Ceremony. If you wish to re-apply for membership in the following year, you will be considered a new applicant and must submit all the requirements for new members. Violate the Code of Conduct? Advisers reserve the right to dismiss members at their discretion; however, usually a first offense will result in loss of one attendance credit. Additional infractions will result in dismissal from WFCHS. Don't keep my grades up throughout the current year? You might run the risk of not re-qualifying for membership the following year. Don't attend enough meetings? If you don't attend enough meetings you will no longer be a member in good standing and will not be recognized at the End-of-Year Ceremony. You will have to reapply as a new applicant in the following year.
Do Seniors graduate with honors? Do they get gold honor cords?	Yes! Seniors will graduate with honors, and a gold honor cord will be provided to you at no extra charge. Please let us know if you would like to have it early for senior photos, but please return it so we can present it to you at the Service Recognition Ceremony.
How do I maintain my membership from year to year?	If all membership maintenance requirements have been met the previous year, then in order to demonstrate maintained academic excellence, students must submit evidence of such during the application process each summer. This may be done by submitting a new qualifying standardized test score, as outlined in the by-laws. Alternately, students may maintain a 3.5 GPA, as determined by the homeschool parent by using a printable form provided. Click to view/print our GPA Calculation form...
What if I am transferring from another chapter of NHS?	Applicants who wish to transfer from another honor society are considered new members and must abide by all new member requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions