3 Keys to a Successful Homeschool Co-op

We are so blessed to live in a homeschool friendly city. We are surrounded by a like minded community, organized field trips and are close to many activities.

But that wasn’t always the case for us.

Whether your city is “homeschool friendly” or not, I believe being part of a homeschool co-op can greatly enhance your family’s homeschool experience.

Today I want to share with you 3 Keys to a Successful Homeschool Co-op that you can use to start one anywhere or strengthen the one you have!

3 Keys to a Successful Homeschool Co-op - find great tips for making a co-op really work, plus a FREE prayer checklist!

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Running a Successful Homeschool Co-op

#1 Prayer

Submit everything to God in prayer. It may seem obvious, but I can’t stress this enough! A foundation of prayer is what you want for your homeschool co-op. God is so gracious and provides so much fruit from it! Here are some ideas of what to pray about.

  • The building or home to hold your co-op. Either finding one that is a good fit or that there would be unity there if there are other ministries sharing space.
  • Finances to support your co-op. Areas like: the costs for the families, co-op building costs or supply expenses.
  • The families. That God would bring who He wants to participate. A cohesive attitude. Pray over each family application. For the families needs, the children’s salvation, that special needs would be met, for God honoring friendships to be formed.
  • The classes. God’s leading and direction in what classes will meet the student’s needs. That the schedules with all the moving parts would flow well. The tech side {registration, paperwork, bookkeeping and more}

Praying through these things not only sets up a good foundation but allow you to have peace and to be flexible when God’s plans or timing doesn’t seem to match our own 🙂

#2 Leadership by Gifts

Just as many homeschoolers teach to their children’s gifts or natural abilities, leadership seems to work best when structured by gifts as well. I can clearly see the strengths of our leaders shine through each year! It makes me smile to see them using the gifts and abilities that God gave them in a homeschool co-op setting. It also makes me smile that I am not asked or expected to be treasurer when bookkeeping is surely NOT my gift 🙂

When bringing together your leadership team make sure to note what types of gifts or abilities would be needed to best fill the spot before choosing the person.

#3 Communication is Key!

Our director does an amazing job at communicating with the Leadership Team as well as the Families. This has been so important!

For example, we have a “New Family Orientation” where she lays out all expectations and goes through our handbook and policies. The children in each family must read the policies (or have had it explained to them) and they sign off that they understand as well. This helps communicate expectations and gives them some “ownership” in the co-op as well. An email loop for the co- op families and teachers as well as a text group for Leadership are also incredibly helpful!

Whether your homeschool co-op is big or small, it may take a few times for everyone to be clear on what is expected. It never hurts to have different ways to share the information. In most situations, it would be better to “over communicate” than not communicate enough.

Over the last 3 years, it has been an honor to be on the leadership team of our local co-op. These tips I am sharing with you I have seen put into action time and again. I have experienced first-hand Moms being encouraged, families have been blessed, kids have learned and fostered friendships and most importantly God has been glorified – which is the ultimate goal!

These 3 Keys of prayer, leadership by gifts and making communication a priority have been essential in creating a successful rather than stressful Homeschool Co-op and they can be for you too!

We want to hear from you! Which of these 3 keys to a successful co-op do you use? What are you going to implement? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Talk to you soon!

Lee

O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:56

 

Download the Homeschool Co-op Prayer Checklist!

Download your Free homeschool co-op prayer checklist to help you and your co-op have an amazing year! 

Homeschool Co-op Prayer Checklist

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Lee is a Faith Based Blogger, Lifetime Encourager an Avoider of Smalltalk. She’s Redeemed Daily by Christ, a Wife of 18yrs, Mom to 5 Treasures and an Unexpected Homeschooler!  Lee has a Passion to Encourage + Equip Christian Women and Tweens to Embrace the Imperfect and Radiate Christ!

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