Co-ops vary enormously. Our Co-op originally met Fridays at space rented from a local church. The space had enough rooms for several classes, including a nursery. The Co-op families met after Mass, at 10 am; classes were held until around 2 pm. Moms taught different subjects based on demand. This model worked well for kiddos 6-12 years old. Older teens in the same Co-op met Tuesdays and Thursdays at the library. Subjects taught varies from Economics to Chemistry.
Another friend attends Classical Conversations, which meets for 24 weeks, one day a week. (This program can run over $1000. Other Co-ops divide insurance and lease fees among the members.) Another example is Classical Cottage, a consortium. This group runs more like a private school, but is oriented to home-school families. Locally, the scope for each Co-op varies. Younger groups might run play dates, LEGO clubs, or park days. Other groups focus almost exclusively on field trips.
Different Co-ops even teach the same subjects differently. For example, I teach science classes twice a week. Class is 1 1/2 hours and includes instruction, labs, projects, and activities. Tests and reading are done at home. Another local instructor teaches using only the textbook. Still another Co-op nearby meets once a week to do the labs, exclusively. All of the instruction, questions, and tests are completed apart from Co-op.
Ask some questions before you join a Co-op. What does the Co-op offer? Classes? Field trips? Performing arts? Debate? How often does the group meet? Where do they meet? What are the parent responsibilities? What are the fees? How does your family hope to benefit from a Co-op? Ask all manner of questions before you join.
No comments:
Post a Comment