Finding Your People: A Guide to Homeschool Groups and Co-ops
You've got curriculum. You've got supplies. You've got a plan. But homeschooling can feel isolating if it's just you and your kids, day after day, inside your own four walls. You need people—and so do your children.
Homeschool groups and co-ops provide community, friendship, shared resources, and the sanity of talking to other adults who understand what you're doing. The right group gives your kids friends who "get" their lifestyle and gives you a support network of parents walking the same path. The wrong group drains your time and energy for little return.
Finding your people takes some effort upfront, but it's one of the highest-impact investments you can make in your homeschool's long-term success.
Types of Homeschool Groups: Know What You're Looking For
Not all homeschool groups are the same. Understanding the differences helps you find what actually fits your family's needs.
Support Groups
What they are: Loose networks of homeschool families who connect for encouragement, information sharing, and social events. Usually informal with minimal structure.
What they offer: Park days, mom's nights out, field trip announcements, Q&A support, holiday parties. Connection without commitment.
Time commitment: Low—attend what you want, skip what you don't.
Best for: New homeschoolers wanting community without obligations. Families with unpredictable schedules. Introverts who want connection on their own terms.
Co-ops (Cooperative Learning Groups)
What they are: Organized groups where parents share teaching responsibilities. You teach a class; other parents teach your kids in return.
What they offer: Classes in subjects you might not teach well yourself (science labs, foreign language, art). Social interaction for kids. Accountability and structure.
Time commitment: Moderate to high—typically weekly meetings plus prep time for whatever you're teaching.
Best for: Families wanting enrichment classes and willing to contribute. Kids who thrive with peer learning. Parents with skills to share.
Enrichment Programs
What they are: Classes taught by hired instructors (not parent volunteers). You pay tuition; professionals teach.
What they offer: Quality instruction in specific subjects without requiring parent teaching. Often includes labs, performances, or activities hard to replicate at home.
Time commitment: Low for parents (drop off, pick up). Weekly or biweekly class attendance for students.
Best for: Families who want specialized instruction without co-op obligations. Working parents. Subjects requiring equipment or expertise (chemistry labs, music ensembles, team sports).
Hybrid Schools / University Model Schools
What they are: Part-time schools where students attend classes 1-3 days per week and homeschool the remaining days.
What they offer: Professional instruction, built-in social community, transcripts and sometimes accreditation. Structure with flexibility.
Time commitment: Significant—scheduled attendance plus homework from classes.
Best for: Families wanting more structure than pure homeschool. High schoolers needing transcripts. Parents who want to outsource certain subjects entirely.
How to Find Groups in Your Area
The most comprehensive resource for finding local homeschool groups. Search:
- "[Your city/county] homeschool"
- "[Your state] homeschool co-op"
- "[Your area] homeschool support group"
- "[Your area] secular homeschool" (if that's your preference)
- "[Your area] Catholic/Christian/Jewish homeschool" (if faith-based community matters)
Join several groups and observe before committing. Lurking is fine—you're gathering information.
State and Regional Homeschool Organizations
Most states have one or more umbrella organizations that maintain directories of local groups. Search "[your state] homeschool association" or check HSLDA's state-by-state guide at hslda.org/legal.
Local Libraries
Many libraries host homeschool programs or maintain bulletin boards with local group information. Librarians often know which groups are active in your area. Ask.
Churches and Community Centers
Many co-ops meet in church buildings (even non-religious co-ops often rent church space—it's affordable). Community centers sometimes host homeschool classes or know of groups that meet there.
Homeschool Conventions
State and regional conventions often have local group fairs or bulletin boards. Even if you don't attend, convention websites sometimes list participating groups.
Word of Mouth
Once you meet one homeschool family, ask what groups they're part of. Homeschoolers know other homeschoolers. One connection often leads to five more.
Questions to Ask Before Joining
Not every group is right for every family. Before committing time and energy, get clarity on these points:
Philosophy and Values
- Is there a statement of faith or values requirement?
- What educational philosophy does the group lean toward (if any)?
- Is it inclusive of different homeschool styles, or is there a specific approach expected?
Practical Logistics
- When and where does the group meet?
- What's the cost (dues, fees, material costs)?
- What's the parent participation requirement?
- What age ranges are represented?
Commitment Level
- Is attendance mandatory or flexible?
- What happens if you need to miss sessions?
- Is there a minimum commitment (semester, full year)?
- What are you expected to contribute (teaching, setup, snacks, administrative help)?
Culture and Fit
- Can you visit or attend a trial session before joining?
- How are conflicts handled?
- What's the group's communication style (Facebook, email, app)?
- Do the families seem like people you'd want to spend time with?
What If Nothing Fits? Starting Your Own Group
Sometimes the group you need doesn't exist yet. Starting one is simpler than you might think.
Start Small
You don't need to launch a full co-op. Start with a park day. Post in local homeschool Facebook groups: "Anyone interested in a weekly park meetup at [location] on [day]?" Show up consistently for a few weeks. Community builds from there.
Find One or Two Co-Founders
Recruit one or two other parents who share your vision. Shared leadership prevents burnout and provides accountability. You don't need a committee—you need a small team willing to show up.
Define Your Scope
Are you starting a social group, a teaching co-op, or something else? Be clear about what you're offering and what you're not. Undefined groups tend to either fizzle or become overwhelming.
Keep It Simple
Avoid over-organizing initially. A Facebook group or group text, a consistent meeting time, and a reliable location are enough. Add structure as the group grows and needs emerge—not before.
Online Communities for Rural or Remote Families
If local options are limited—rural areas, unique circumstances, or simply no groups that fit—online community can fill the gap.
- Facebook groups: Large national groups exist for almost every homeschool style (secular homeschoolers, Charlotte Mason, classical, special needs, working moms, etc.). Not local, but valuable for advice and connection.
- Online co-ops: Some co-ops meet virtually via Zoom, offering classes and community for geographically scattered families.
- Outschool: Paid online classes with live instruction. Not community in the traditional sense, but your child interacts with other kids in class settings.
- Homeschool forums: The Well-Trained Mind forums, Homeschool.com community, and others provide ongoing discussion and support.
Online community isn't a complete substitute for in-person connection, but it's far better than isolation. Many rural homeschoolers combine occasional long-distance meetups (monthly co-ops, quarterly events) with active online engagement.
Common Questions
How many groups should we join?
Start with one. It's better to be consistently present in one community than sporadically involved in five. You can always add more once you've found your rhythm. Over-commitment is a common first-year mistake—your schedule fills up fast, and you end up stressed rather than supported.
What if my kids don't click with the other kids?
Give it time—friendship takes multiple interactions to develop. But if after several months your child is consistently unhappy, it's okay to try a different group. Not every community is the right fit, and forcing it helps no one. Sometimes the second or third group you try is where your family finds its people.
What if I'm introverted and group activities sound exhausting?
You don't have to be the social coordinator. Look for groups with low-key options—park days where you can sit on a bench while kids play, or co-ops where your contribution is behind-the-scenes (organizing, administration). Your kids need some social interaction; you get to decide how much you personally engage. It's also fine to attend less frequently than others if that's what works for your capacity.
Your Next Move
This week, search Facebook for homeschool groups in your area. Join 2-3 that look promising and observe. Identify one group to visit or attend within the next month.
Community takes time to build. You won't find your people overnight. But starting the search now means you'll have connections in place when you need them—and your kids will have friends who understand their life.
Beyond organized groups, your kids also need physical activity and extracurricular opportunities. Next, we'll cover how homeschoolers access sports, arts, and activities outside the traditional school system.