by Shari McMinn
I am thankful that for the 28 years I homeschooled nine of my 11 children, our family participated in several different cooperative support groups that greatly helped us stay the course of Christian discipleship and home-based education. These groups were especially meaningful to several of my students who were unique learners. Through appropriate interaction and socialization, they learned from caring parents who led their co-op activities, and they made friends with other students in those groups.
Those families gladly welcomed me and my children of all ages and cognitive abilities to engage in interactive learning and fun playtime. The member families kept us from going through some of our roughest seasons alone by surrounding us with lovingkindness as they met our physical and emotional needs when we could not do so ourselves. My now adult children and I remain close friends with many of those families.
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And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him — a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
In addition to organizing your school supplies, setting your strategy to comply with the homeschool law, ordering your curriculum, and posting your daily schedule of chores and assignments to begin your new school year, I encourage you to also search for and become a member of a homeschool group in your area that is compatible with your family’s needs. These needs vary from household to household, but might include things like: enrichment activities, field trips, low-stress expectations for grade-level performance, multi-age learning levels, parent involvement for vigilant supervision and oversight, and appropriate socialization.
What is a homeschool group?
According to HSLDA, “A homeschool group is a group of families that meet for social and academic enrichment. Many homeschool families have found that gathering together offers deeper and wider learning opportunities, allows them to combine their strengths, and provides a venue for expanding social skills and creating lasting friendships.”
These are the types of groups listed on the CHEC Homeschool Group directory. When considering a group to belong to for a supportive community, you might keep in mind the CHEC mission statement that guided me during our homeschool years: “We envision families honoring Jesus Christ by embracing home discipleship that is Christ centered, parent directed, and free from government control.”
Enrichment Program
A homeschool program that uses a combination of parents and hired teachers to provide classes. These programs do not determine 100% of the student’s curriculum. Drop-off is permitted, but participation is encouraged. Cost is moderate for membership fees, some curriculum, and other provided resources.
Hybrid Program
A group that typically uses hired teachers. These programs typically determine 100% of the student’s curriculum. Drop-off with higher expenses for enrollment fees, required curriculum, and other provided resources. I suggest that if your family participates in such a program, it is for one or two days a week maximum, so that your children are being homeschooled directly by you three days per week.
Online Forum Only
A homeschool forum that uses an online platform to support parents and does not have regular in-person events, classes, or meetings (They may still coordinate field trips, park days, etc.). No cost except for your technology use expenses and field trip fees.
Support Group
A homeschool group that meets primarily to support parents in the homeschool journey (some may provide some sort of activity for children during the parent meeting). Lowest cost as no curriculum or teaching resources are typically provided.
Traditional Co-op
A homeschool co-op with families required to remain present and cooperatively teach classes together. Low to moderate cost for membership fees, some curriculum, and other provided resources. This type of group receives my highest recommendation for its cost, parental involvement, tangible support, and flexibility for families who have a variety of learners.
Finding a supportive homeschool group
Homeschool families with unique learners often isolate themselves due to the misbehavior or awkwardness of their child’s special needs issues. For our family, we often had one child who had to sit next to me for “time in” during our group activities because of poor behavior choices he or she made in the car ride to the group meetings or as we were walking in the venue’s door! The other member families understood why that child and I had to do what needed to be done and allowed us ‘space’ to do so.
Instead of staying home to avoid such potential embarrassment, we made a deliberate effort to attend tri-monthly activities and were warmly welcomed and accepted as we were. A member family with an autistic daughter who often “melted down” and a family with a wheelchair-bound, physically handicapped son who would “stim” (stimulate) himself with awkward noise and body movements were also encouraged to participate despite ongoing challenging behaviors. These children, and mine, were accepted as “normal” by our member families, praise God!
Because of our natural tendency to “just stay home,” which can have some negative impacts, such as loneliness and antisocial behavior, I encourage families to participate regularly in a supportive group. I believe that parents need the “come alongside” opportunities offered by the other parents in a supportive community, while students need to learn to get along with other children and take direction from adults besides his or her parents.
Although it can be exhausting and stressful to leave home to participate in a homeschool group, it provides fellowship and is a good accountability measure for families. In these days when nosey neighbors — and even complete strangers — have a cultural inclination to over-report “unsocialized” homeschooled children, having families that walk beside us along our home-based education journey is a safety net and positive motivator to do right in God’s sight for our children.
More help for homeschooling your unique learner
Whether your family is a member of the CHEC Independent School or chooses to comply with the Colorado Homeschool Law through Notice of Intent (NOI), teacher licensing, or enrollment in another private umbrella school, our team at Christian Home Educators of Colorado is here to assist families like yours. We want to provide you with the encouragement and equipping that you need to succeed in your homeschooling journey. This blog is just one of many resources found on our CHEC.org Unique Learners webpage.
Here are some more links to check out if you are:
- Considering whether a homeschool group will benefit the unique learner(s) in your family? Listen to this CHEC Podcast: ”Homeschooling Together: The Power of Community and Co-ops in Colorado” with Tara Roehl
- Looking for an umbrella school membership with parent assessments in lieu of standardized testing? Consider the CHEC Independent School Assessment Option #3.
- Needing more guidance for homeschooling your unique learner? The CHEC Homeschool Guidebook has chapters on “Different Learners” and “Homeschool Groups”.
- Searching for a homeschool group? Our CHEC Homeschool Group Interactive Directory can help you locate one in your area.
- Seeking a support group for your military family? Tune in to this HSLDA podcast with military homeschooler Natalie Mack.
- Wanting to find community? Click here for CHEC’s download “5 Ways to Find Community”.
My next Unique Learner blog, “Character Training: Essential Part of Homeschooling,” will be posted on September 24, 2025 (the 4th Wednesday).
Shari McMinn, your trusted homeschooling friend
P.S. If you have a topic I should write about, please email me with your suggestion(s). This blog is for you!
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