FAQs

Are you accepting new students?

Our co-op registration is open late fall through winter for the Spring Semester, and late spring through summer for the Fall Semester.

In the meantime, please consider joining our Forest Friends Exploring group, which meets weekly at a local park, trail, or natural area for outdoor social engagement. This is a free group to join. You can find that group here.

What is the cost of Co-op?

The cost of our co-op varies per semester, based on our expense needs, such as facilities, insurance, and supplies.

Currently, our cost is a $155 Family fee plus $20 per student for the semester.

Q:	Who are the teachers?
A:	You! And Us! Each attending parent signs up to teach one 45 minute long class every week for the duration of the 10 weeks.

Q:	What kind of classes are offered?
A:	We are an enrichment style, faith neutral Co-op. Classes are things that the kids and parents are interested in. What do you love to do? You can teach a class about that! Some of the classes we have had in the past are: homesteading, medieval times, marketing, baking, cooking, science experiments and dissecting, arts and crafts, sewing, gardening. The possibilities are endless.

Q:	What curriculum do you use?
A:	The co-op does not use a specific curriculum. Teachers (you) are free to come up with their own class instructions and activities. We do have a curriculum library that teachers are welcome to draw from. You may also utilize online resources such as Teachers Pay Teachers and similar websites.

Is there an age range for classes? Class size?

Class size and age range vary based on enrollment in each class. Teachers may allow larger or smaller age ranges for the classes they sign up to teach. Generally classes are grouped by younger elementary, older elementary, and middle and high school, though some classes may allow for a broader or more narrow age group, depending on the Teacher’s preference. We do separate our Nursery and Preschool, first by age, but occasionally based on development. Class sizes range from 5-14 students depending on enrollment and age group.

Q:	Do students have a different teacher every week?
A:	No, but each period is taught by a different Teacher. Teachers sign up to teach at least one 45 minute class, which is the same students and class period for the entire 10 week semester.

Q:	Do I have to teach a class?
A:	Depending on enrollment, we may make concessions for new members who would prefer to wait until their second semester at co-op to teach a class, once they’ve gotten a feel for what co-op is like.

When I’m not teaching my class, where will I be?

Each attending parent will have one class period to teach, one period to be a classroom Helper, and one to be a Floater.

Helpers can be thought of as classroom aids, who also will stand-in for the Teacher in the event that the Teacher is absent.

Floaters fill in as Helpers in the event that the Helper needs to fill in for a Teacher, or if a Helper is absent. Most weeks, when not filling in, Floaters monitor the hallway or other areas of the church during class.