July 30, 2025 – Should I Join a Support Group or a Co-op?

Kerry Tittle

Should I Join a Co-op?

If we want to make it short and simple, the answer, yes. Co-ops have valuable and lifelong benefits. In my 26 years of homeschooling, I have found that co-ops have given my children some incredible friends and have also offered them healthy educational competition. There are also school experiences like dances, science fairs, protocols, public speaking, drama, field trips, and debates (to name a few) that have given my children experiences that they might otherwise have missed. Futhermore, some classes, like science labs, are facilitated better in group environments.

Additionaly, co-ops can encourage parents by having access to others’ homeschool experiences. Friendships can be formed that align with your family’s needs and values. Connecting with other parents can make your homeschool journey less isolating and can encourage new homeschoolers as they glean wisdom from seasoned homeschool parents. Oftentimes, you will find someone else who loves teaching in the very area that you don’t. There is so much that parents can learn from each other!

Finally, there may be extenuating circumstances that prevent participation in a co-op. There may be a season that a co-op commitment can’t be made or maybe even cause burnout (thank goodness for summers!) But normally, co-ops make learning more fun and will add to a fulfilling homeschool journey.  

Sign me up!

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About the author

Kerry Tittle is a mother of nine children and a 20-year homeschool veteran. She was the owner of ReformationKidz with her husband Rob until a tornado destroyed their home and business in 2014, taking the lives of Rob and two of their daughters, Tori and Rebekah. Kerry is the founder of Refined Family, which is created to encourage others to find hope in the gospel in the midst of trials.

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

What If I’m Asked to Teach in My Homeschool Co-op?
by Carol Henderson

Homeschool co-ops were always an exciting part of our homeschool journey for both the kids and me. In our first co-op, the moms took turns teaching each quarter. My current co-op has one teacher for every class, freeing most moms from the responsibility.

But what if you’re asked to teach in a co-op? First, it’s important to put a priority on creative activities. Students should do quiet tasks at home, with class time reserved for something fun.

Making crafts based on your theme is a hit for younger grades. Older students thrive with other engaging activities, as well as give-and-take classroom discussions.

And all ages enjoy classroom games! Preparing for games gives kids an opportunity to develop good study habits. Studying for Game Day helps kids practice studying for a test, but better!

And remember . . . it can be challenging for kids to make friends in a once-a-week setting. Unless your group already knows each other, create opportunities for kids to connect. You could periodically mix up the seating arrangement, or strategically group kids for activities, or play games that encourage interaction.

Above all, choose a curriculum that gives enough activities to fill your schedule. One that is created specifically for co-ops is ideal.

And remember to have fun! Be prepared to enjoy your time with the great group of students you are privileged to teach!

Carol Henderson has taught in a homeschool co-op for over twenty years, and loves it! Currently she teaches history and geography, with classes ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade. Over the past twelve years, she developed Let’s Go Geography, a curriculum for homeschools, co-ops, and classrooms. Moms and kids love its engaging, hands-on approach—complete with fun crafts for kindergarten through second grade, and creative journaling (and more!) for third through eighth grades. 

Roger Smith

Tale of Four Mothers

Four ladies bravely launch into homeschooling for similar reasons and with similar passion. But the paths they take “diverged in the wood,” and as Robert Frost described, “that has made all the difference.”

Tonya had no clue where to start, what to do, or how to know if she was “doing it right.” She chose a veteran homeschooler as a personal mentor to guide her. She also found great ideas at the monthly gathering of moms at the library.

Jennifer had always been an excellent student, but felt overwhelmed and inadequate as she stared at curriculum options. She joined a co‑op with other families that, together, learned how to learn and helped fill each others’ gaps.

Amber had been a dreamer since she was in diapers and set goals for her kids that were out of reach. Determined to excel, she found camaraderie with other families in youth development organizations that had competitions, and it helped her children achieve levels of success that surprised even Amber.

Cassie had no desire to compare her kids to others or prove their “success.” In fact, she planned to just “get through the year” and decide what she would do for their education next year. She and her kids “did their own thing” without input from others, often just reading books and exploring nature.

Some gathered, some scattered. All followed the path for them, “and that has made all the difference.”

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About the author

Dr. Roger Smith is a family doctor in rural Louisiana, where he and his wife, Jan, raised four adventurous children who are all grown, making their own mark in the world. He speaks and writes on parenting issues and produces brief videos that can be found on Facebook @ParentingMattersNow.

Prepare your student’s heart for college and beyond! RVL Discipleship: The Curriculum grounds teens in biblical truth and discipleship. Equip them now: https://sf.fotf.com/uvwmn2

Heather Vogler

Who Needs It More—Mom or Homeschooler?

Sitting in the break room at work, we laughed so hard we were crying. One of the kids in our preschool had done it again, and all of us teachers could relate. Having the community of like-minded co-workers to connect with in the midst of the chaos always helped the day go much more smoothly. Sure, we had friends and spouses outside of work, but as teachers, we got each other. We understood one another.

Leaving the work environment and entering the world of motherhood can be lonely. If we are used to having people to bounce struggles and concerns off of as they come up, it is hard not to have that until our spouse comes home from work. Even so, our spouses can be great listeners, but sometimes we crave more. When we push these feelings aside and then see our child struggling with similar issues, it tears us apart.

When asking ourselves if we should join a support group or co-op, ask yourself these questions: 

1. Are there tasks at home that take priority over an outside commitment?
2. Do my kids need community?
3. Do I need community?

If the answer to the first question is “Yes,” then use this year to strengthen family relationships at home. If you said, “No,” then use this season as a time to be strengthened and to strengthen others in a community setting.

The last two questions will help you determine which type of group to join if you decide to. Some are playgroups where moms and kids socialize, while others are more academic. Some groups have moms’ nights out, and others have sports teams for kids. Be honest with your needs and goals and choose accordingly.  

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About the author

Heather Vogler, her husband, and five children call the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia home where they homeschool and homestead. Heather has homeschooled her children from the beginning and enjoys an eclectic style of teaching. As a freelance writer she has been published in Focus on the Family Magazine, War Cry Magazine, and Brio Magazine. Heather holds a BA in Christian Ministries and currently writes at ThriftSchooling.com.  

LaNissir James (MACHE MD)

Connecting With a Community

You are ready to homeschool, but you need more—the question is how much more will your schedule allow? Ask yourself whether online connections are what you need or whether face-to-face is what you crave.

Finding community is an essential part of homeschooling your children. Home education offers numerous enriching options that enhance the educational experience, such as support groups and cooperative learning opportunities. You don’t have to homeschool alone.

Understanding the difference between a support group and cooperative learning, better known as co-op, can help you select the right homeschool experiences for your family. Let’s examine the distinction between a support group and a co-op group. A homeschool support group focuses on the social or informational aspects of homeschooling. Support groups connect homeschoolers with other homeschoolers in the community.

There are all types of support groups that can offer field trips, park days, and meet-ups. A significant aspect of support groups is that they offer flexibility for your family, allowing you to participate at your convenience. The organizer may not expect your family to attend every event, which allows you to decide what works best for your homeschool schedule. Also, in many cases, a homeschool support group may charge less than a yearly co-op experience.

A homeschool co-op typically offers more structure, focusing on collaborative learning through academic or enrichment classes. Co-ops are typically parent-led, with parents teaching classes in areas of their passion.

One of the great aspects of a co-op is that your family will have the opportunity to connect with other homeschoolers for a full year of consistent classes and fellowship. A co-op will have more structure and rules to keep an organized plan for all families involved.

No matter what you decide to do to connect with the homeschool community—whether it’s a support group or a co-op—enjoy the connections. These friendships can be lifelong connections for both homeschool parents and their children.

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About the author

LaNissir is the Executive Director of MACHE and a veteran homeschool mom of seven. She and her husband, Lorenzo, homeschool from K-12th grade, and they are launching their fifth child on to higher education. She’s passionate about serving her local community, state, and nation as a homeschooling-through-high-school expert. For over thirty-five years, MACHE has served Maryland homeschool families and protected homeschool freedom. www.machemd.org

Thinking about joining a homeschool group or co-op? Discover how a Church Schoolhouse through SchoolhouseTeachers.com can connect you with other families in meaningful ways. Learn about support options, co-op resources, and how community can enrich your homeschooling journey. See if there is one near you or start one of your own!

Monthly Goals and Month-at-a-Glance Planner PDFs

This month we’ve gathered these free resources from SchoolhouseTeachers.com to help you get organized with the Monthly Goals and Month-at-a-Glance Planner PDFs. Download and make as many copies as you need for the upcoming year, and stay on track with ease. Grab yours today! Be sure to check out more FREE help charts available from SchoolhouseTeachers.com