From Co-op to Excessive College Prep: Homeschooling in Our New Chapter

We’re just a few months into our new homeschooling setup, and I lastly really feel like I’ve skilled sufficient to talk about it. So what’s new? I’m glad you requested.

This yr we switched issues up and joined a co-op fashion we haven’t been a part of in years. A fast stroll down co-op reminiscence lane:

• H 1st grade: dwelling full time
• H 2nd grade: 1 day/week, teacher-led
• H third grade: 2 days/week, teacher-led
• H 4th grade: 1 day/week, parent-led
• H fifth grade: 1 day/week, parent-led
• H sixth grade: 1 day/week, parent-led
• H seventh grade: transferring & then 1 day/week, parent-led
• H eighth grade: 1 day/week, teacher-led
• Okay joined in round H’s 2nd grade and adopted the identical circulate.

As you may see, we’ve had a mixture of parent- and teacher-led setups, however our co-ops have typically been socially centered with elective-style courses (PE, normal science, artwork) and little or no assigned work from home. I’ve at all times chosen the curriculum and acted because the “ring chief” for all core topics.

This yr, although, we stepped into one thing new. Our present co-op is someday per week, Charlotte Mason–based mostly, and structured in order that academics introduce the topics and assign work for every weekday at dwelling. The topics embrace literature and composition, science, artwork, nature research, and cultural research. Historical past and math are nonetheless on us.

Now that we’re just a few months in—and as I’m beginning to assume forward to highschool for H in fall 2026—I figured a bit of reflection can be useful for me, and possibly for you in case you’re in the same season. So listed here are the professionals and cons of our present setup:

The Professionals

Nice academics
The academics are partaking, talk clearly, and appear to genuinely get pleasure from main the youngsters. The ladies like their courses, which makes an enormous distinction.

Charlotte Mason basis
This philosophy facilities on a beneficiant, numerous curriculum crammed with “dwelling books” that carry topics to life—historical past, literature, artwork, music, all introduced in a wealthy and significant method. I actually love the curriculum and e-book decisions. Truthfully, if I hadn’t, that will have been a deal breaker.

Different youngsters
H has a candy group of women she connects with, which makes my coronary heart so completely satisfied after transferring states. Okay thrives with friends round her—she’s a social butterfly and lights up with group vitality.

Extra psychological freedom for me
I wasn’t certain whether or not this was a professional or a con at first. I’m not operating the present; as a substitute, I really feel extra like an assistant coming alongside the ladies. It felt unusual initially, however… dare I say… I’m beginning to prefer it? I believe that’s partly the ladies’ ages and the elevated rigor, and partly the belief I’ve developed within the work being assigned.

The ladies appear to benefit from the problem
H is accountable and self-motivated, so I anticipated her to do effectively, and he or she is. It’s been enjoyable watching her have interaction with topics that haven’t traditionally been her favorites (good day, science).
Okay has stunned me in the easiest way—she’s risen to the brand new workload with enthusiasm, particularly when assignments let her be inventive (appearing, baking—something hands-on and he or she shines). Even the less-fun components (dictation, writing) she’s tackling with an excellent angle most days.

The Cons

I miss morning time
I’d actually like to carry this again, however with the ladies desperate to dive into their co-op assignments, it hasn’t naturally match. I’ve shifted some issues like read-alouds to lunchtime, however I’m hoping to reestablish a rhythm in January that brings artwork research, historical past, self-development, and Bible time again to the forefront.

Becoming in math
SO glad we began math sturdy in August, as a result of becoming it in constantly with the brand new workload has been tough. That is actually simply on me being firmer about priorities, so I’ll tighten that up in January now that we’ve adjusted a bit. Realistically, our faculty days—particularly for H—will most likely must stretch previous lunch.

Much less neighborhood for the mothers
That is most likely the largest factor I miss. Previous co-ops naturally created neighborhood as a result of all of the mothers had been there each week. Our present co-op does provide mother nights, however I haven’t been capable of attend one but.

General, the professionals outweigh the cons, and I’m genuinely grateful to be a part of this co-op. I believe, developmentally, it’s an ideal match for each ladies. A part of me wonders if I might’ve favored yet another yr being the ring chief for Okay to fine-tune studying and writing earlier than shifting to this fashion, however there’s no method I might have been capable of ship H and never Okay.

Now my thoughts is shifting towards the highschool years. I don’t assume fully-at-home is the precise match for H. I believe she’d do very effectively with it truly, however I believe she’s going to develop and profit from being plugged right into a neighborhood at this age. Nonetheless, many academically centered co-ops transfer to 2 days per week beginning in ninth grade so we have to assume by way of that. I’m presently contemplating two choices: our present Charlotte Mason–fashion co-op, and one other that’s extra like a college mannequin college—most likely as near mainstream highschool as you may get within the homeschool world. I’ll know extra after the open home.

There are nonetheless one-day, socially centered co-ops in our space, however attendance drops off in highschool as a result of it’s onerous to surrender a full tutorial day for electives. For us, the time-to-benefit ratio simply isn’t there.

I’ve already emailed a number of faculty admissions workplaces to study what they search for in homeschooled candidates so I can map out a normal plan for H’s highschool years. My fundamental objective is solely to offer her the widest vary of choices as she figures out what she loves.

All of this feels surreal, actually. A part of me aches for the early days of nature walks and library books being our fundamental focus. And but, I’m so deeply happy with what we’ve completed collectively to this point. I by no means meant on homeschooling, but for quite a lot of causes it’s the trail we took. We dedicated to figuring it out alongside the way in which, adjusting as wanted in every new stage.

If I pause to actually see it… wow (mother bragging alert)- our ladies are thriving. They’re rising of their strengths and dealing onerous of their challenges. However past that, they’re my favourite individuals to be round. They’re type, attention-grabbing, humorous, and succesful. They’ve hobbies and skills, are respectful, and are rising in confidence on a regular basis. It’s such an honor to be by their facet and assist lead them. Whereas I really feel like I’m at all times questioning and determining what our greatest subsequent step is, I’m so grateful for the chance to get to do it.

If you happen to’re nonetheless right here studying this lengthy diary-style ramble, I’m impressed. 😉

Getting all of this out of my head and onto the display screen helped a lot. When you have ideas about any of those upcoming choices, I’d love to listen to them. If you happen to’re starting your personal journey of determining the most effective instructional path for your loved ones, belief your intestine and know you may modify as you go. And in case you’re simply right here for the learn—thanks for listening. <3