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Interested in Membership?
It is important to us that we get to know you, and you us, before you apply to join.
We host Shadow Days in April and May for prospective members. Membership opens in June for the following September. If space allows, we hold additional Park Days in summer and Shadow Days in the Fall for families to join starting with our second class session of the year, at the beginning of January.
Once you have decided that you would like to join, we will send you the application for membership. Following that, we'll send you the registration form if there is an opening available. You complete the registration form and sign agreements (Code of Conduct, etc.) and pay the registration fee via Paypal. All instructions are on the forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to join? My child is under five years old.
Not yet! Families must have one homeschooling student eligible for one of our color groups, so age 6 or older. We hope you'll keep us in mind when that time comes, and we welcome you to join us at a Park Day, especially if you are thinking about next year!
What are the benefits of membership?
Each child age 6+ will get to take six eight-week classes with peers. Your family will have opportunities to take field trips monthly, socialize at park days, celebrate holidays and birthdays, present at subject fair (this year is "Famous People"), and share their talents in the Art & Talent show. We get silly in March with a different theme for each Monday and celebrate the end of the year with a family dance. (This year we are having a Fall Dance as well). Parents get adult-only parent meetings several times a year and Parents Nights Out a few times a year.
We also do group buys on curriculum and each family member gets an account in our installation of Google Workspace for Education.
What is the time commitment of membership?
The time commitment for the family (at least one parent and children) is almost every Monday from September through mid-June from 9:30AM through mid-afternoon. There is also the time you spend taking part in planning as an adult member of the community, much of which is online. We have a 72-hour rule for online communication, meaning that members agree to check in with the group at least every 72-hours. We use Google Workspace for Education, and Google Chat is where most of our discussions, votes, and planning take place. Parent meetings are in person 3-4 times per year for an evening (pot-luck).
What is the cost of membership?
The membership fee varies by year depending on our budget. This year the cost was about $225 per family. This covers our insurance, space rental, and group materials. Additional expenses incurred by members include costs of field trips and optional programs such as speakers, travel and experiential education expenses should you choose to join, and materials fees for some classes, which generally range from $3-$10. Not all classes have fees and we try to offer a no-fee option for each period.
Do I have to teach?
Yes. It is important to us that everyone takes on the role of teacher, even if reluctantly. You will have assistants in the classroom and we are happy to help you brainstorm class ideas and envision your classes.
Is there a pay-to-drop-off option?
No, we are not a drop-off program.
Can I join mid-year or for only one or two of the sessions?
Yes and no. We do sometimes fill spots that open up during the year, so feel free to reach out to us and ask. Sometimes we have openings in certain color groups. However, whether you join at the usual time over the summer or during the year, we ask for a commitment through the following June. This is in keeping with our goals for community and invested, active members sharing the responsibilities of running the co-op and teaching.
You meet at a church. Are you affiliated with a specific religion?
No, we are a secular group. Some of our members are also part of faith communities, and some are not. We welcome everyone.
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