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CHEC

Four Facts about CHEC

Behind the Scenes: Four Facts You May Not Know about CHEC

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by Renée Gotcher

If you’re a new homeschooler or a curious observer wondering how to get started, it’s a given that you can now hop online and find a cornucopia of homeschool organizations, local homeschool groups, programs, and resource providers ready to take your hand and guide you on your first steps down the homeschooling path.

However, those of us who have a personal history with the rise of homeschooling over the past four decades know that today’s homeschoolers — experiencing a flourishing market of homeschool resources and support — are benefiting from the efforts of pioneering homeschool families who laid the groundwork back when the landscape was challenging and unsupportive.

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Five Ways to Find Homeschool Groups

Five Ways to Find and Connect with Homeschool Groups near You

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by Renée Gotcher

When my mother started homeschooling us in 1988, we had joined an umbrella school affiliated with an existing Christian school, which offered some in-person activities for enrolled homeschooling families to participate in. However, most of these activities were at the school’s location, which was more than an hour’s drive from our home. If there was a “homeschool group” outside of the families we met at those activities, we didn’t know about it. Thankfully, my mom soon discovered a homeschool “park day” taking place much closer to us, so she added it to our monthly schedule. 

Today, a quick Google search for “homeschool groups” will attest to the fact that there are a growing number of organizations that fit the description. From homeschool support groups and co-ops to hybrid or enrichment programs and even online communities, the options are plentiful enough that you should never feel alone in your homeschooling journey! 

However, finding a homeschool group that works for your family isn’t as easy as a quick Google search (more on that later). In this article, you’ll learn five ways to make your search for homeschool groups that are aligned with your homeschool mission more focused and fruitful.

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Independent School Umbrella

Why Use an Independent School (Umbrella) if It’s Not Required?

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by Renée Gotcher

When my mother decided to start homeschooling in 1988, I was just two years away from finishing high school. We had moved too far from my public high school for me to continue attending, so she included me in this sweeping decision, despite my initial resistance. From my questioning teenage perspective, the fact that she enrolled us in an independent school, which organized some activities to connect with other homeschooling families, was my saving grace. (Although most of these events were not local to us — homeschooling was unusual back then!)

Much has changed in our culture and public education system since those early days of modern homeschooling, especially in the post-COVID-19 pandemic years. Not surprisingly, the number of families homeschooling across the country has skyrocketed1, along with the number of options emerging to support these families.

However, one thing hasn’t changed, in my opinion: The value of enrolling in an independent school (also known as an umbrella school) for legal compliance with state homeschooling law.

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Starting a homeschool co-op

Looking for Homeschool Community? Start a Simple Homeschool Co-op!

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by Renée Gotcher

The foundational idea of a homeschool co-op is to “cooperate” with one or more families to share any part of the home education process. Co-ops can be as simple as two families meeting regularly to cover one subject or as complex as a large, organized, fee-based program covering a myriad of subjects. Whatever the form, homeschool co-ops can add enrichment to your homeschooling journey by expanding your horizons academically, creatively, and socially.

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Why Attend a Homeschool Convention this Year?

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By guest author Andrew Pudewa

Time is precious. Money can be tight. Travel must be prioritized. And, almost all the information you will ever need can be found online. So, is going to a conference really worth it?

I have been to many conferences—hundreds, actually. Of course, I go because it’s my job. Although I primarily teach workshops and hang out near the IEW booth, I also meet fascinating people and listen to a variety of workshops. Now obviously, not every conference is a peak experience, and some are far more interesting than others, but I think it’s safe to say that almost always something helpful, even enlightening happens, and often I don’t even notice it until weeks or months later.

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720.842.4852EmailMailing Address:
PO Box 53
Elizabeth, CO 80107For our physical address and to schedule an in-person appointment please go to ourContact Us page.

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