It can feel overwhelming looking at the list of things the state requires you to teach in your homeschool. You may even feel unqualified to teach some of the subjects. One way to overcome the challenges is to join a co-op.
What is a Co-op?
Parents run co-ops and structure them like a mini-school. They can follow either a Christian or secular approach. In most cases, parents teach certain classes and group the kids by age, similar to public school. Our co-op is run in a local church (but it is secular). It is a little over 3 hours and includes three classes, a snack time, and what they call Ho-rah, which is the beginning of the day there. It runs from 12:45-4 pm. Most co-ops charge a fee to join. Our co-op offers scholarships, which are available to children from low-income families to help them cover the costs. Our co-op has field trips available for a small fee, but you have to provide your transportation.
What is Taught in a Co-op?
Each co-op offers different subjects, depending on who the teachers are and what their backgrounds are. Our co-op has different classes in the fall and spring semesters as well. Fall semester, we had classes on science, such as chemistry and herpetology (my daughter’s favorite class). Some parents taught classes on Latin and ASL. In spring, they offered several anthropology classes, as well as financial literacy and Shakespeare. Both semesters include music, art, phys ed, and a large variety of English classes. Be sure to check around to see what each one offers before making a decision.
Is it Worth the Money?
Absolutely! I’ve always struggled with science and math- it’s just not my thing. Even though I still teach them in our school, I love that Hannah is able to take classes in subjects I’m not comfortable in. She loves art, so having extra art time gives her a great creative outlet. I just don’t have enough time during the week to fit in that additional art time myself. As for anthropology—yes, we cover ancient cultures in history, but unless I plan a full unit study, we only touch on them briefly. The co-op gives her a wonderful opportunity to explore a specific culture in more depth!
Co-ops also give your child a great chance to make new friends! Homeschooled kids can meet up, build friendships, and enjoy social time together, while parents connect with other homeschool families. Our co-op organizes discounted days at a local trampoline park, playdates at the park, and even skateboarding and ice skating events. We also join academic clubs—our family participates in Battle of the Books, and we wrap up each semester with a science fair.
My daughter is autistic and has selective mutism, and she experiences extreme anxiety related to public school. At first, I felt a little nervous that she might not enjoy the co-op. But she thrived during her first semester! As soon as she got home, she couldn’t stop talking about everything she learned in herpetology—the study of amphibians and some reptiles. I always try to encourage Hannah to step outside her comfort zone and try something new. Keep reminding your child about the positives and help them shift their focus away from the negatives. A co-op can truly become a wonderful and enriching experience.
