• a network of independent elementary school heads offering collegiality and support;
• an annual conference geared specifically for the needs of independent elementary school leaders and their partners;
• an annual dinner with ESHA colleagues at a member school in conjunction with the NAIS conference;
• periodic member discussions on topics of interest by video conference or conference call;
• comparative statistics for member schools;
• a member directory;
• a member list-serve and a member Ning to share questions, ideas and resources;
• a bi-monthly e-newsletter;
• regular recommendations, via Twitter, of reading and other resources of interest to heads of independent elementary schools; and, for the first time in 2010,
• a summer travel/service learning program

Eligibility to join:

ESHA membership is open to the head of any independent school holding membership in NAIS and providing instruction to children at least as far as grade two and not farther than grade nine. If a proposed member's school is not a member of NAIS, then the school must: be accredited by an NAIS-approved agency, have an IRS 501(c)(3) tax exemption, be governed by an independent board of trustees, and have a published nondiscrimination policy.

Membership calendar:

The ESHA membership year runs from July through June. A form for membership application or renewal can be found in the "Downloads" section at the upper right, and members will be e-mailed a form in the April issue of ESHA News. Returning members are encouraged to renew in April and new members to join in May in preparation for June registration for the fall conference.

Membership fees, 2010-2011:

$  300 - Active Membership, current head of school, enrollment 200 or less

$  500 - Active Membership, current head of school, enrollment of 201-350

$  600 - Active Membership, current head of school, enrollment of 351-500

$  700 - Active Membership, current head of school, enrollment of 501 or more

$1200 - Sustaining Membership, option to offer additional support

$  100 - Associate Membership, former elementary school head
No fee - Honorary Membership, retired elementary school head