Homeschool Group Definition

HOMESCHOOL CO-OP

A Homeschool Co-op, also called a "cottage school" in some states, is a group of private homeschooling families that facilitate group academic or extra-curricular teaching.  A homeschool co-op should be a supplement to the family homeschool and not a replacement for parent-led teaching of core subjects in the home, especially for the primary grades.  A homeschool co-op is not a business, and is a collaboration of effort between homeschooling families to enjoy a group experience rather than the product of one individual's industry.   Size, frequency of meeting, cost, subject matter, and choice of instructor all combine to influence the group's nature as either a co-op or something more like a private school.