by guest author Miranda Herberger
As home-educating families in Colorado wrestle with changes to the school finance law that affect participation in government-funded homeschool enrichment programs — while also making decisions for the new homeschool year — I’d like to take them back to a September day in 1995.
That day, a little girl in Bellvue, Colorado, sat upstairs at a desk and peeked out of the blinds at a school bus passing by. There was something significant about that moment: it was the first time she really understood that she was different. This would be the first of many mornings watching the school bus drive by from that desk, with her mom working through phonics rules and addition problems while she munched on the remainders of breakfast.
That first morning of home education signified the start of a lifetime of courage, creativity, and conviction for her mother. That little girl was me, and that mom was my very own. And while her reasons for choosing home education may have changed and deepened over the years, her courage, creativity, and conviction never went away.
My mother started what would become a generational Christian home education lifestyle. She homeschooled her three children through to high school graduation. And they are now homeschooling her 12 grandchildren — all with similar courage, creativity, and conviction.
In fact, when I try to find appropriate adjectives to describe the homeschooling moms of my childhood, and those who have followed, it’s difficult to narrow them down. Tenacious. Resilient. Dedicated. Thick-skinned. Brave. Resolute. Nurturing. And the list goes on. But as I reflect on a decision that is now at the forefront for many homeschooling mothers in the state, these three words — courageous, creative, and convicted — seem to fit best.
Find Your Courage
In recent years, homeschooling mothers have needed a bit less courage as the laws have softened, home education has become more accepted, and styles and options for our home classrooms have broadened. Yet, when challenges come, and the need for that courage arises, it is my experience that it naturally shows up in the hearts of homeschool moms. And just as naturally, that creativity and conviction show up, too.
If you are a home-educating family in Colorado in 2026, you have been blessed with a homeschool-friendly state for many years now. As the number of homeschooling families has exploded in our nation and our state, the opportunities for homeschool students have expanded as well. As you sit and ponder the myriad choices set before you — such as government-funded homeschool enrichment programs or the umbrella school you appreciate and love — I would like to take a moment to remind you of your courage, creativity, and conviction.
As a second-generation homeschooler who has never participated in government-funded programs, I find choosing between the two an easy decision. However, I understand that in recent years, the government-funded enrichment programs have become a regular part of the routine for many homeschooling families.
If that’s the case for you, you may be feeling uncertain about how to add that valued enrichment into your children’s education without participating in these programs. Let me encourage you today: You can do it, as many before you and alongside you have done and are doing. With courage, we make a choice. With creativity, we make a plan. And with conviction, we move forward.
Embrace New Possibilities
Opportunities abound for private, affordable homeschool enrichment. I have seen this time and again over the years — homeschooling families can create incredible events, co-ops, classes, and field trips for their children without government assistance. If cost is a concern, let me assure you that the examples I share from my own experience were accomplished affordably, if not freely. Plus, these are just a small sampling of the vast opportunities available to homeschooling families outside of public funds.
We have been blessed with so many private enrichment opportunities throughout our home-education journey; it would be hard to sum them all up here. I discovered that we can find opportunities all around us — in our churches, communities, homeschool organizations, and within the homeschooling community itself.
Churches are full of volunteer opportunities and ministries that need our families to participate. Recently my children and I helped with a huge community giveaway at a local church. My children have also helped to plan and manage church events, such as funerals, weddings, fellowship days, and Easter Egg hunts. If you notice an upcoming church event or service opportunity, participating can provide enrichment, create family memories, and develop life skills while engaging in service.
Perhaps one of the most overlooked resources available within the church is the congregation itself. Look around your church for people with knowledge and skills to share. In my own experience, we have been taught about rocks and gems, soap making, math skills, carpentry, event planning, painting and drawing, public speaking, beekeeping, and many other topics by fellow church members. When we invest ourselves in the church, the church invests in us.
Explore Your Community
The communities we live in are flush with opportunities for valuable hands-on learning. City recreation departments offer classes, events, and sports —many also offer daytime opportunities for homeschooling families. Outside of official city recreation options, the community at large offers nearly endless education possibilities. In the past few months alone, I have seen advertisements for a gem and rock show, a reptile show, a birdwatching class, a fishing derby, dairy tours, LEGO build days, and quilting/crafting classes. And these are just offerings I have seen without seeking.
When we ask, I have found that community members and business owners are happy to plan field trips and learning opportunities for our children. My family is actively involved in a LEGO club and Bible studies at one of our local nursing home facilities, thanks to a neighbor who works there. We can look for opportunities to enrich our children’s lives while also blessing the community we are part of.
Create Practical Partnerships
Homeschool co-ops have long been an affordable and edifying part of the homeschooling community. When parents work together to educate their children, the results are incredible. My family has been involved with a large homeschool co-op hosted by a church as well as a small three-family co-op that rotated in our homes.
In our smaller group, one mom taught a workshop about fingerprints, another led a study about apples (with a Johnny Appleseed theme), and another hosted a bread-making day. We invited other guests to join us and teach as well. One of my friends who owns a soap-making business put together kits for each child and came in to teach us all about making soap.
In our larger co-op, my children participated in parties, International Day, a Valentine’s Day tea party focused on manners and etiquette, and many field trips. This is just a small sampling of what we experienced with our co-ops. When homeschool parents work together, the possibilities truly are endless.
I’ve seen homeschool families and other community members offer classes for ASL, piano and other instruments, beekeeping, theater and acting, jewelry making, sewing, homesteading, public speaking, robotics, debate, and Bible quizzing, just to name a few! All that’s needed is someone with a skill they are willing to share. For example, my husband started offering affordable daytime piano lessons, which has both helped homeschooling students and blessed us financially.
Remember Your Courage, Creativity, and Conviction
With the recent changes to school finance law, I believe that we stand at the brink of massive growth in private enrichment options for homeschoolers beyond those already available.
I hope I’ve encouraged you that many homeschool enrichment opportunities abound without government funding or involvement. It’s my prayer that when we plan our children’s education, we will remember our courage, creativity, and conviction, and realize that we can accomplish rich and fulfilling educational journeys for our children, as homeschool mothers have been doing for years before us.
We must also keep in mind that God was with the homeschooling mothers before us, and He is with us now as we move into the 2026/2027 school year. Even as laws change and uncertainties present themselves, God will bless our efforts to provide a rich and meaningful homeschool experience for our children as we prepare them for life here and into eternity. We are not alone in this journey when we seek the help of God, most importantly, as well as our churches, families, communities, and the homeschool community at large.
Dive Deeper With These Additional CHEC Resources
On the CHEC Blog
- Why Simple Homeschool Co-ops Stand the Test of Time
- Homeschooling on a Budget Without Government Funding
On the Colorado Homeschool Podcast:
- Episode 32: Homeschool Co-ops: Is It Time to Take a Break?
- Episode 31: Finding the Right Homeschool Group for YOU!
On CHEC.org:
- Find a homeschool co-op or support group near you on our interactive map!
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