Have you just started homeschooling and wonder what homeschool co-ops are? Or, have you been homeschooling for a while and are looking for external classes taught by like-minded people? Let us explore some of the benefits of a homeschool co-op.
What Is a Homeschool Co-Op?
Homeschool co-op is a group of homeschooling families that gathers for the purpose of enhancing their homeschool learning and experience. There are many different types of co-ops. For example:
- Social groups: This type of a co-op gathers homeschooling families in order to provide social interaction for both children and parents. There are no specific classes taught but a variety of fun and educational activities are provided by the parents involved.
- Traditional co-ops: These co-ops are based on parents teaching classroom subjects or assisting in teaching. These co-ops organize numerous field trips, play days, etc. In most instances they are reasonably priced and affordable for anyone. The money is used for purchasing class supplies while teachers are working on volunteer basis.
- Academic co-ops: Even though you will experience many fun activities and field trips when participating in these co-ops, they are primarily set up for high academic purposes. The classes are taught by professional teachers or individuals with a degree and experience in the particular academic area. They are much higher in cost than the previous types of co-ops but worth every penny, especially in higher grades.
8 Benefits of Joining a Homeschool Co-op
As there are many benefits of joining a homeschool co-op, let us explore at least a few of them:
- Classroom experience: No matter how hard you try, your school at home will never be able to provide your children with a classroom experience. Even though many of us opted for homeschooling to avoid traditional classroom, this experience, at least once in a while, can become quite invaluable. The children learn to listen in a group environment, sit still and give preference to others.
- Socialization outside of your family circle: The privileges of homeschooling are socialization with all group ages as opposed to peers only that traditional schools offer. This teaches children to relate to young and old alike. However, interactions with children of similar ages in a safe environment brings a special level of learning and creates friendships.
- Shared equipment for specialty classes (for example, lab materials): It is no secret that lab equipment and supplies many times exceed the financial capability of one homeschooling family. In co-op classes these expenses are shared among many families and therefore become more affordable.
- Accountability for both children and parents: We all can agree that once in a while we choose to skip homeschool classes for other activities. However, this does not happen with co-op classes. In co-ops, especially the academic ones, homework has to be done as well as the test preparation even if completed late at night. It also seems that students, especially in higher grades, are willing to invest more of themselves to satisfy external teacher’s requirements rather than to please their parents. We, their parents, love them anyway.
- Some classes are easier taught in a group setting: When you think about classes like PE or debate, you must agree that one-on-one teaching is not the best choice. Co-ops provide the best option for subjects like these.
- Ability to draw on expertize of other people: Not every parent holds a degree in marine biology, chemistry, or physics. Even though you can teach these in your home with the many fascinating materials available, there is something to be said about participating in a class presented by someone who is passionate about these subjects.
- Opportunity to teach classes in the area of your expertize: If there is a subject that you are passionate about, you can take the co-op’s opportunity and teach other children. If you decide to join an academic co-op, the remuneration for your teaching will be a welcome blessing for your household.
- Fun break from a home learning environment: Learning at home can sometimes become very mundane. We live at home; we learn at home; we do everything at home. Breaking this routine once a week for a co-op class will turn into something everyone will be looking forward to.
How to Choose a Homeschool Co-op
Choosing the right homeschool co-op may be a daunting task especially if you live in an area with many homeschooling opportunities. However, there are a few basic aspects you should consider in making your choices:
- Your overall goals in joining a co-op: If you are mainly looking for social interactions, search for a social co-op rather than one that involves specific classes. On the other hand, if you are interested in enhancing your children’s academic goals, academic co-op will be the right choice.
- Your educational philosophies: As each co-op is governed by different ideologies, look for establishments that carry similar principles. For example, Christian vs. non-Christian co-ops, fun classes vs. academics-driven.
- Your budget available for co-op activities: Some co-ops require quite a significant investment while others gather for free.
- Your time availability: As most of the academic co-ops present their students with a large amount of homework, you have to add the study time to the actual class gathering when considering your participation. If you are not able to dedicate the extensive home study to the classes, opt for a traditional co-op that is less time demanding.
Our Homeschool Co-Op Journey
During our many homeschooling years we joined several co-ops based on our particular needs at the time. One thing to always remember in your homeschool journey is that there are different seasons in life and each of these seasons requires a different approach, including the choice of a co-op.
Church Co-op
Our first co-op was located at the church we were part of at the time. My son was three or four years old and I was given the opportunity to teach a pre-school class. It was a very sweet time for all of us and I have many wonderful memories to keep as well as a video tape of our endeavors.
Traditional Co-op
Next came a somewhat traditional co-op that became part of our homeschooling journey for a number of years. It consisted of about eighty families from various backgrounds of Christian faith. We made many friends, went on countless field trips, and participated in various classes ranging from science to PE. I appreciated the parents’ dedication to the children as well as the opportunity to teach subjects that were close to my heart. We were grateful for being part of the PE classes as our backyard makeshift ballfield hardly ever had enough players.
Academic Co-op
After we moved to a different state, we had difficulties finding a co-op that would be financially affordable and carry the same values as we did. A few years had passed without us being officially a part of any educational group. Once we reached high school though, we decided to save money and join a rather expensive academic co-op that provided lab experiences and high school credits for a number of subjects like biology and chemistry. Both my son and I appreciated the accountability the co-op required and the professional lectures the classes provided. At the time of writing this article my son was able to pass the Biology CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) following the co-op high school class and is planning on doing the same for chemistry.
Whatever your homeschooling goals may be, finding a community of like-minded people is a very important add-on to your school at home. We trust that your homeschooling community brings you strength and encouragement at the time of need.
