Homeschooling does not have to be a solitary endevor. Homeschooling cooperatives, or coops, for short, are something many homeschooling families try at some point.
What is a Coop?
A homeschooling coop is basically a group of local families coming together to share part of the education process with one another. Parents must usually take resonsibility for teaching or helping in some capacity. This is not typically a "drop off' situation.
Coops can be large or small, formal or informal, inexpensive or more costly. They may meet in members' homes or in a rented space. They may be once a week or once a month. They may have age or grade restrictions, or they may be open-ended.
Every coop is different. Many have charters or mission statements. Some coops may focus on social interaction, some may try to teach basics, while others may emphasize subjects usually considered as extra-curricular education.
What does a Coop do?
Coops provide homeschooling families the chance to meet and form classes. Members of a coop decide what is taught, and for how long.
Parents volunteer their talents. A mom with a background in math may volunteer to teach a basic Geometry class for middle schoolers, or may take a more creative approach with younger children. A former science teacher-turned-homechooling-parent may offer a class on insects for elementary students. Some coops even hire outside teachers for specialized subjects, like art or music.
Advantages
There are some wonderful advantages to participating in a homschool coop.
- Children get a chance to learn in a group setting, a more traditional approach.
- Children get a chance to meet and socialize with peers
- Homeschooling families get to know one another.
- Support - meeting with other people trying to do what you are doing, who know your challenges and frsutrations, is priceless
- A wealth of knowledge - sharing teaching responsibilities means sharing gifts. Maybe you are weak in history. At a coop, someone else may offer classes in World History, Ancient Egypt, or WWII. What a great exchange!
- A wider view - A group can often do more than an individual. A family alone may not be able to get group rates to museums, plays, and other events. A coop as an entity can often qualify for these things.
Disadvantages
Having advantages usually means having disadvantages, as well.
- Responsibility - Coops are not "Mom's Day Out". Parents must usually help plan or teach. Teaching a science class for 15 children may involve a lot more preparation than teaching the same material for your own child. This can be difficult.
- Philosophy - Many coops have a basic philosophy concerning their purpose in education. It is important to make sure your own style or beliefs are compatible with those of the coop. For example, if you do not attend church, a faith-based coop would not normally be a good match.
- Personalities - Being a part of any group means being able to get along with others. Make sure you can ge along with group members. You do not have to be everyone's best friend, but if there is someone you will clash with terrible, this can be a hard situation.
- Committment - Coops are smaller groups, and usually rely on members to remain members, at least for the duration of a set of classes. Do not join unless you are serious about committing, at least for while.
Before You Join...
If you find a coop you are interested in, get to know some members. Find out what their experience has been with the coop. If you can, visit a class during the coop. See what kind of structure and order there is. Do the children seem to be engaged? Having fun? Do the parents seem organized?
Read the coop's mission statement or registration form. Consider if their philosphy works with yours. Understand fees involved. These might range from a small fee-per-class to more hefty yearly or semesterly fees. Are the fees per child, or per family?
Understand what is expected of each family. Make sure you are willing to make that committment.
Homeschooling coops can be a wonderful experience. Just be sure to do your homework first!
