Newer homeschool families seem to now outnumber those of us that have homeschooled for 10 years or more. That is a good trend.
What is the Offspring of Two Types of School?
However, there is another shift or trend that has gained momentum and that is hybrid homeschool co-ops, which are popping up and growing in popularity. Have homeschool co-ops turned private schools?
Using the term hybrid homeschool co-op reminds me of the fact that homeschool co-ops (if you can call them that now) are taking what has worked for homeschooling for years and morphing them into mini private schools.
Back 10 or more years ago, the line between a homeschool co-op and a mini private school was clearly defined.
Too, it is important that new homeschool families don’t bring with them their ideas of what they think homeschool co-ops should be.
Embracing homeschooling is about valuing the principles of education that have not just worked for years for homeschoolers, but that breeds creative and independent learners. That sets us apart from a public school robot like mentality.
Look at my article, The Great Homeschool Hoax – Public School At Home, which helps to separate the two very different educational approaches.
Are homeschool co-ops really changing because of the times or because more and more families do not understand the roots of homeschool co-ops? Are homeschool co-ops really not for some families because they have only experienced a hybrid homeschool co-op? I don’t know.
What I do know is that there are foundational pegs that are inextricably linked to homeschool co-ops and the successful co-ops may have a bit more guidelines because they can grow quicker, but co-ops never took the place of home.
There are fundamental facts, which are the live blood of any healthy co-op and they are important to understand as the homeschool movement should always improve without compromising the most sacred and essential elements.
Look at these 5 points that are worth taking note of when measuring your homeschool co-op.
1.Enrichment is Essential.
Homeschool co-ops have always been about enrichment, making friends and otherwise learning subjects that may not be easy to learn at home or that may have gotten monotonous. Enrichment looks different for each family.
For example, families that cover the basics or 3 r’s may look for ways to expand how they learn science, art, geography and history with others.
Other families have children that struggle with writing or math and a homeschool co-op class can shore up the weakness of a child.
2.Multi-level vs. Split level classes.
Another negative feature that has cropped up in the last ten years is only offering split level classes.
Not only do split level classes stress a family with multiple children who may want to attend co-op classes, which may be on different days, but it separates siblings.
Homeschool co-ops are flexible enough that as their core group of kids grow older, leaders adjust to suit the needs of teens like preparing them for adulthood, but it has never been the only criteria.
Are the ways of the one room school house to be abandoned now because homeschool co-ops want to group kids by grade level?
3.Model curriculum (or is that one size fits all).
Isn’t a model curriculum used by a homeschool co-op from year to year with the same age group the very reason most of us left a pubic or private school setting?
Why trade what we left behind for a smaller group setting?
Curriculum is suppose to help each child grow at their unique pace and not in sync with a one size fits all mentality.
4.High Cost.
Homeschool co-ops have been an extension of parenting and a community spirit has existed in homeschool co-ops.
They were not a way to add extra income or substitute for a one family income.
However, a lot of homeschool families are a one income family and keeping costs down, but the fun factor high has always been the standard for price setting.
While it can cost for a place to hold the co-op and materials fee exist, and members should rightly pay to cover those expenses, leaders of the past have tried to keep the classes affordable.
5.Small Group Can Equal More Wow.
The other way to measure a co-op is by how large it is. Homeschool co-ops normally grow fast if they are successful and the members’ needs are being met. Word spreads fast among eager homeschoolers.
However, in the beginning, homeschoolers of the past have also joined homeschool co-ops so that their children have friends. Keeping a homeschool co-op small allows kids to have time to make friends.
Parents wanted like-minded friends as well. So big does not necessarily mean better.
Is a co-op trying to grow “chain stores”, uhmmm I meant co-ops, or have parents united together to use their collective experiences to enrich their children?
What is the Purpose of Homeschooling?
When a homeschool co-op steps over to invade the time spent at home, and every class is taught by somebody else, then why are you homeschooling?
Though a small private school can be a fit for some families, a majority of the teaching is taken out of your hands and placed in the hands of a “professional”. That is very opposite of what is homeschooling
Homeschool co-ops should enhance and improve your homeschool journey, but when a homeschool co-op meets 3 and 4 times a week, time at home learning together is diminished.
And lastly, a homeschool co-op should fill a need you have and each co-op should be weighed against that.
If you want to get a bird’s eye view of the differences in how terms are used in the homeschool world look at Homeschool Co-ops, Support Groups and Regional Groups. How Does It All Fit?
Do you find that your homeschool co-op is taking over your homeschool journey and life or enhancing it?
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Interesting perspective. Makes sense to me that a four -five day program outside the home would make one question a parent’s decision to “home” school vs. just enrolling in a public
or private school.
I am a new home schooling mom and still learning the ropes. One thing I have noticed is that everyone home schools for different reasons but so far everyone I’ve met has their child’s best interest at heart.
I am homeschooling for kinder while my son is simultaneously enrolled in a two half-day private preschool program. Personally this is my ideal situation (am I the only homeschool mom who needs a sanity break from my kiddo for a half a day once or twice a week?? I think my son benefits from having a break from me too and a chance to play and learn with others).
If I could continue with a hybrid format where my son is in school 2 days a week on Tuesday/Thursday for 4-5 hours while still learning at home (or learning on the go traveling and exploring with me) I would continue to homeschool without hesitation. I don’t know of a suitable program to continue the two day arrangement in my area after this kinder/pre k year so I may end up putting him in full time school which makes me sad because it is not my first choice for his education or for our relationship and time together.
My need for down/alone time aside, my son is extremely social and I feel it would be a disservice to him to keep him home and away from his peers five days a week. When I was a kid I would have preferred being home with my mom all day without another soul to bother us but my son has a different personality.
I would be interested to hear your opinion about ‘home school’ moms who favor a hybrid. Thank you!.
Hi Carrie Ann,
I certainly enjoyed reading your comment. All I can do is share my insight and experience and circumstances.
It wouldn’t be fair to make anybody else feel guilty or obligated because homeschool is hard enough.
After schooling 3 of mine through those stages, I kept my bottom goal, which is more influence by us as their family in the forefront.
I have a mix of kids too. Some social, other kids, I am enough.
I just made my mind up that this is a lifestyle change and I didn’t want my boys away from me.
I did hire a sitter once in a while and took some me time. I figured if I was going to pay for a preschool,etc. that I could splurge to pay for one too when I needed it.
I don’t regret any of the time I spent because I told myself “I only have THIS year” There is NO other time he will be 3, 4 or 5 and I wanted to embrace that time.
I didn’t want to go insane being a “good mother” but thoroughly enjoy them. So I dug in and found ways to make homeschooling work for us.
Each son had a variety of classes which gave me a break. They took music, art and gymnastics and I had time to myself peppered throughout the week but kept them with me. It was just my choice and the way I wanted to do things.
Now that they are 20 and 22 almost 23, I cry baby tears because it’s hard for me to hold back the close, close relationship we have.
Motherhood alone is a self-sacrificing job. Add in homeschooling and I can say (oh yes I’m bias..lol) that it’s the ultimate self-sacrificing job.
Only YOU can determine if you want to go there and then remember, you will look back one day. Homeschool with NO regrets and that means weighing your option each year until you find a happy point.
Again, each family has different stress levels and it’s not my job to judge, just love and encourage that you can do it.
It’s natural too. Yes, I had to change the way I did some things but I reminded myself that it was “temporary” and I chose to be with them.
In addition, the classes filled my sociable son’s need for friends and more. Also, I realized that too much of it and he was persuaded by them and used people as a crutch to value his worth. (just my experience with social creatures).
I didn’t want him to have a crutch or think that he needs others acceptance so I had to curb some of it as he got older so he could work on blossoming his own fortitude. (but that is another blog post).
So, I’m saying, you need to decide what is important for your family and remember they DO grow up and you want that relationship with them and it takes time. There is no short-cut to love. It build each year.
Great to have you here!
Hey!!
Indeed a very nice share..
Well, I can say that the obvious arguments for a private education is the quality of that education itself.
A child who goes to a private school gets better teachers, who really provides the quality education to your children and they will take care of them .
Private schools are simply the best for your young child.
I’ll have to keep this in mind for next year when he would start.
Thanks for the post!
Thank you so much for this share
God Bless U!!
Thank you and so glad you stopped by today.
I agree. It is hard to beat private education with a one-to-one teacher ratio. My children are not too young now, but private education has been the best all the way through.
You are very welcome for this information!