Homeschool co-ops
Families who teach each other's children on a regular day. Here is how to find one, start one, and plan the classes.
A homeschool co-op is a group of families who share teaching, usually meeting weekly for classes. To find one, ask a statewide organization from the directory, your library and other homeschoolers; to start one, pick a day, a place and a few classes. Your state's homeschool law page says whether it asks anything of co-op teaching.
Checked October 27, 2026.
This is a plain-words summary, not legal advice. Laws change: check your state's current law and its education department before you act.
Finding one
- Look at the statewide organizations in the directory: they often list local groups.
- Ask at your library, and ask other homeschooling families.
- Visit before you join: sit in on a class.
Questions to ask a co-op
- What does it cost, and who is paid?
- How long are classes, and how many families are there?
- Who teaches, and what do parents do?
- What is the rule for sick children and for children who need support?
- How are safety and background checks handled?
Starting one
- Gather three or four families with children of similar ages.
- Pick one day and a place (a home, library room or community space).
- Choose classes parents can teach, and rotate.
- Write down your rules in one page.
- Use the builder below to make a printable schedule.
Check your state
Some states have rules about who may teach and about private schools; the who can teach page and your state law page say what yours asks.
Class schedule builder
It stays in this browser: nothing is sent anywhere, and you can print it.
| Time | Class | Teacher (initials) | Room | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Saved only in this browser. There is no place for an address or a child's name, on purpose: share the printed grid, not a list of who comes.
Sources
- Peabody's state homeschool law pages (each lists its statutes and state education department pages) (checked October 27, 2026)