Co-op...how to decide.

Discussion in 'Homeschooling' started by learningnest, Mar 30, 2010.

  1. learningnest

    learningnest New Member

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    I'm wondering what would be your deciding factors for deciding whether or not to join a co-op.

    We are going to visit a co-op tomorrow. The co-op is 2 days a week - and a 50 mile drive (1 way).

    I've had mixed feelings about whether to even consider it...so I'm wondering what your thoughts are....
     
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  3. tuzor

    tuzor New Member

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    Decide what you are looking for in a co-op? Then what are the requirements and how that will affect what you are doing at home. Make a pro's and cons list. I would like to join a co-op for various reasons but the one I applied to has an average year wait. Don't know if I will get in this year. Depending on your needs join a support group that has tons of playdates and fieldtrips.
     
  4. peanutsweet

    peanutsweet New Member

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    50 miles twice a week wouldn't even be considered. Gas, time, wear on car. another commitment. No way.

    well that's how I decide lol :)
     
  5. rmcx5

    rmcx5 New Member

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    Since your oldest is 6, you could probably do a 2 day a week co-op and still get your other homeschool work accomplished (assuming you do more formal schooling...if you unschool, that's different). For my family, 2 days a week with that drive would NOT let us get the rest of ours done. We do attend a once a week (2.25 hour each Tuesday) co-op that meets at our church. It's more "extra" type classes not core curriculum per se. I wouldn't drive 100 miles round trip for it though...lol. We all enjoy it as it's 50 of our closest homeschool friend-families.
     
  6. learningnest

    learningnest New Member

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    Some of my concerns have been:
    1) the 100 mile (roundtrip) drive 2 days a week
    2) the classes offered are social studies, bible, science, spanish and pe
    3) if the kids make friends....they will want/need to go over for birthday parties etc. which equals another 100 mile trip

    Some of my reasons for wanting to:
    1) interaction with other kids
    2) experience having other people teach them

    That being said -- my kids do have alot of friends - but unfortunately they are all in public school or in private school. Socialization opportunities are therefore limited to after school hours --- baseball practice, rodeo events, parties etc.
     
  7. learningnest

    learningnest New Member

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    Oh -- forgot to address the curriculum we use right now --- we do not unschool, I have curriculum for each subject although I do find my science and social studies lessons are shorter sometimes..

    I do like the curriculum the co-op is using -- my concern is more on the drive, gas, time, wear and tear on kids.....and whether the pros will outweigh the cons.
     
  8. ochumgache

    ochumgache Active Member

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    They would have lost me at "two days a week", but the fifty miles one-way would really kill the deal. I've been homeschooling for seven years, and next year will be my first with a co-op. It's a half-day, once a week and its only ten minutes away.

    If the time and the drive doesn't bother you, I'd just remember that co-ops are only as good as the people who are in them. When visiting, I'd find out about how it is organized, how decisions are made, how leaders are chosen, how responsibilities are given out, how complaints are dealt with, rules within which teachers must work, etc. Oh, and a biggie...what is the turnover rate -- how many people join and then drop out within a year? You'll have people coming and going, but if it is a large percentage, it would raise a red flag for me.
     
  9. learningnest

    learningnest New Member

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    So, I'm getting the feeling I'm not the only one who finds 100 miles round trip to be a bit much? I am really struggling with this decision because many of my friends here are saying it will be worth it -- and after all it is "only 2 days a week". I am just really hoping for some clear sign one way or another........
     
  10. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    I personally feel a co-op for a 6yo twice a week is a bit much, especially one so far away. We did do one when my girls were young...would still be doing it if it hadn't folded...but it was four hours a week, and maybe five miles away. The big question is WHY are you interested in a co-op? Right now, I'm driving a pretty good distance to a co-op once a week so Rachael can get lab science classes. I've also been willing to drive (and will next year) for my girls to get a quality writing/research class taught by a man who is an INCREDIBLE English teacher.
     
  11. seekingmyLord

    seekingmyLord Active Member

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    I travel one hour one way to my daughter's 30-minute piano lessons each week, which most people would think is crazy, BUT she was the only teacher who took children as young as four years old when it all started, she was a good friend before I had the child, and I do other errands about half way between her place and mine each week. So, I travel 75 miles round trip each week, but half of that I would be doing just for the errands, shopping, etc. anyway, so really we are talking an extra 30 minutes and 15 miles one way. It has been a pinch with both time and money at times and my daughter is older and accomplished enough that she could be taught by someone closer, but some things are worth the extra expense and effort to me and this is one of them.

    As to doing something like that with a co-op? Well, I am not really not into the co-op thing, but even if I were, it would have to be something REALLY special for me to drive 200 miles each week. How I decide is I pray and even though there are some really great co-ops nearby for us, I am still getting the answer that it is not for us at this time.
     
  12. Mattsmama

    Mattsmama New Member

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    I personally would not do it because we have such a busy schedule without adding in such a long drive, but is there any way you could carpool with someone? This would help on the expense of the trip. You could also do some things in the car if she is able but both of my kids inherited my motion sickness so reading in the car is not an option for us!:cry:
     
  13. learningnest

    learningnest New Member

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    Ahhh! I woke up this morning feeling more unsure of what to do. Part of my anxiety comes from the fact that I am leaning towards not taking part, but feel guilty that I'm going to look at the co-op and taking up their time when I am almost certain we won't be participating.

    I really wanted to go into today with an open mind and see if it would be beneficial to the kiddos. We'll see how today goes. I'm hoping that I keep an open mind - but that I get a clear answer from above. (It will need to be pretty loud and clear bc I have a hard time telling the difference between my thoughts and a REAL message! :)
    Thanks for everyone's advice!
     
  14. TeacherMom

    TeacherMom New Member

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    I joined a co op for my kids. We have become friends with the families but in the begining it was for the kids. They felt different because they knew no one who home schooled at that point and (God) amazingly we ran into a lady at swim lessons three years ago who lead a co op and they had summer time park days. We thought that sounded fun since I was looking up stuff like that on line at that point I agreed to meet so our kids could get to know wone another. We had like minded kids and they have become fast friends. Now we are going for the Science courses for interaction mostly but also so I am not doing everything myself I enjoy the other parent who is teaching the science.
    The other classes, a bible study one and a library one we are okay with but we really want the fellowship and the science interaction.

    The things i was looking for were kids thier ages, and time slot for the classes. This one fits me cause its once every other week not all the time.

     
  15. Sue May

    Sue May New Member

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    Can you get together with a couple of homeschool families that live close to you and do a one-day a week get together. It can either be a play day for the kids, a mom get together where the kids also play, or each mom can take four weeks or so and teach something to the kids.

    If your children become friends with some of the other children at the co-op, you may not have the opportunity to meet any other time because the parents may not be willing to drive or ask you over because of the great distance. I went to a co-op that was 45 minutes away. I was hoping my kids would meet friends. They met friends but the parents NEVER wanted to have the children meet outside of co-op. They never wanted to make such a far drive even if I was willing to drive more than half the time.
     
  16. Sue May

    Sue May New Member

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    BTW--I love co-ops. We have been in several and they have been very enriching. Wish there were some close by. I would start one if there were kids that homeschooled in our area. There used to be a lot but no more. They have joined ps.
     
  17. tuzor

    tuzor New Member

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    Pray pray pray! Let us know how the visit went.
     
  18. peanutsweet

    peanutsweet New Member

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    I would look into things locally first. Library? Church groups? Art club? music lesson? swim team? soccer? ect. just pick a couple activities in your community and check them out. My girls joined a local art guild, they meet once a week with a handful of other kids in town at the guild. We also have a library club for younger kids. And they attend an AWANA program at church on wed nights, they love that alot. They make friends, have parties and play games. They get to learn songs, and memorize scripture for prizes. They have a small workbook to fill out, very easy. They do extra activities sometimes too.
     
  19. fairfarmhand

    fairfarmhand Member

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    the 100 mile thing would kill it for me. It just wouldn't fit in with our lives. What happens when one child is ill? How would that work out? No way you could just drop off the healthy child and pick him up later. There's a co-op that is 30 miles from our home and I still cannot fathom doing that. And meeting after school is great! We have several kids that I pick up from school and they play at our house till mom and dad are done with work. We try to do that at least once a week. Also, see if there is a homeschool 4-h club nearby, or start one. (Call your local agricultural extension office for details)
     

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