Homeschool co-ops can vary greatly in their purpose and practice, but generally, a co-op is a group of homeschool families that meet once or twice a week for a few hours to engage in specialized lessons, outdoor activities, and social interaction. Read on to learn about finding a homeschool co-op group near you.
Co-ops usually meet in a community center, a park, a participating member’s home, or a church.
Parent teachers and/or certified teachers teach various subjects–from core academics, STEM, nature-based learning, foreign languages, art, physical education and more.
An important part of finding a homeschool co-op is to outline what your homeschooling objectives are.
One key area to consider is whether you’ll want to pursue a group that focuses primarily on science or a group that emphasizes faith-based educational experiences.
As a homeschool educator it’s important to consider your strengths and the areas where you could use some additional resources. Lean into this – co-ops give you an opportunity to share your strengths and benefit from the experience of others.
Once you’re comfortable with your defined objectives, you’re ready to begin your search.
Keyword searches like ‘Local Homeschool Groups’ or ‘Local Homeschool Co-Op’ on Facebook are a great place to get started.
Wild and Free Homeschooling lists groups on their website, and your local YMCA likely has information on groups in your area, too.
Like any social gathering, connecting with a co-op can be intimidating at first, but don’t worry – homeschooling families are some of the most genuine people you’ll meet. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and participate. If I can help you in your search, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.