One of MDHSA’s most popular programs is our K-12 Co-operative Schools. Many families use our co-ops to establish connections within the homeschooling community while supplementing their home education program at the same time. Check out the FAQ to learn more.
Do I need to be an MDHSA member to join a co-op? | How do co-ops work? |How much does co-op cost and are there registration deadlines? | Can I enroll in co-op if I have a preschooler? | Will I have to teach a class? | Why do I need child abuse clearances to participate in a co-op?
Do I need to be an MDHSA member to join a co-op?
Yes, you must be a member of the MDHSA support group in order to register for a co-op school. For information on how to join MDHSA, please click here. Once you become an MDHSA member, you will be given a password to our Member Portal where you can access co-op registration forms and get more details about the particular co-op you choose to attend. There are two co-ops in Franklin County to choose from. Click here for co-op locations and descriptions.
How do co-ops work?
Each co-op has two semesters: fall and spring. It’s your choice whether you want to attend just one semester or both. Co-ops meet either weekly or bi-weekly during the semester, depending on which of the co-op locations you choose. Click here for co-op locations and descriptions.
All the co-ops are designed to give supplemental educational experiences to school age children from kindergarten to 12th grade, but parents find them a significant source of support as well. While there are individual differences between our two co-ops, they both have a similar structure: three class periods for students (high school students at Co-op South have only two periods) with the entire session lasting about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. All co-op classes are taught by parents with each class having an additional parent helper.
How much does co-op cost and are there registration deadlines?
Each co-op has a registration fee that covers the cost of facility rental and overhead expenses. Registration fees vary by co-op; those that meet for more weeks during a semester will have a higher registration fee to cover the increased rental cost. In addition, there are class fees to cover the cost of materials your child will use for the class. Class fees also vary according to the amount or type of materials used in the class.
In addition, each co-op has their own registration deadlines. Check co-op locations and descriptions to find out what those deadlines are. If you fail to register before the deadline, you may have to wait until the following semester to attend co-op.
Can I enroll in co-op if I have a preschooler?
While co-op schools do have nursery and preschool classes, these are provided for the younger siblings of a co-op family. In order to enroll in a co-op school, your oldest child must be at least of Kindergarten age.
Will I have to teach a class?
Yes, but not for your first semester. New members are assigned as helpers for two class periods. During the remaining class period, the member will attend parents’ meeting, a place to meet other homeschool moms and talk about homeschool-related topics. When you enroll for your second semester, you will be required to teach one class and help in another. However, for the class you teach, you can choose the topic, age group, and maximum number of students you prefer for your class. The fact that each member is required to teach a class is what enables our co-ops to offer their students multiple classes to choose from each period.
Why do I need child abuse clearances to participate in a co-op?
The Child Protective Services Law requires that volunteers who are working with children in a class where their parent is not present must have child abuse clearances (see Dept. of Human Services Volunteers FAQ). Therefore, BEFORE YOU REGISTER please be sure to have applied for ALL of your needed clearances. Registrations will not be accepted without the proper clearances Because these clearances may take time to process, you should apply for these clearances well in advance of the first day of co-op. Please click here for a complete list of required clearances and instructions on how to obtain them.
Related:
MDHSA Support Group: Who We Are
Become a Member
Co-Op Locations and Descriptions