Support Groups and/or Co-ops
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Homeschool support groups or co-ops are never required to homeschool in Florida, but such groups can enhance a homeschool experience. They can offer chances for children to make friends with other homeschoolers, experience group learning, go on field trips with others, be involved in group events, etc. They can offer parents a chance to share teaching responsibilities, encourage each other, share news of local opportunities, get group discounts, see new teaching materials, provide information about local events, learn about local resources, and more.
These groups range from informal groups organized by one or two parents for simple opportunities for their children to meet other homeschooled children to more organized groups that offer events, clubs, classes, as well as businesses that offer classes aimed at homeschool students to very formal groups that seem like part-time schools. Some require parents to volunteer while others pay hired teachers. Some required parents to stay with their children while others (usually the business options) allow parents to drop children off. (Be sure to research thoroughly any place that you would drop your children off at.) Homeschool support groups typically offer a wide variety of support that might include meetups, park meetings, field trips, classes, clubs, dances, science fairs, informational meetings and more. They are typically run by volunteers. Homeschool co-ops are organized by homeschool parents who band together to offer classes for children; typically they meet once or twice a week and resemble part-time schools. The classes are typically academic though some may focus on electives instead. Costs are keep low by requiring parents to volunteer in some way, though they may make exceptions for parents of babies or others in exceptional circumstances. Some hire teachers for some of the classes--especially at the high school level. Some businesses run programs similar to co-ops which allow parents to drop-off children for classes run by the business. Both types of groups can be helpful. Group listings provided below are, as far as we know, currently active. (If you find an inactive group listed, let us know.) When possible, we provide some information about the groups as well as a link to their website. Contact a group directly to find out more about the group focus and style. If a group is near you but not a good fit, we suggest going anyway to meet other parents and talk to them; often the members of one group will know of others in the area and may help you find a group that's a better fit. Updated: July 2022 |
Groups can provide a great opportunity for children to make friends, learn social skills, enhance learning activities, and more. We've found that joining more than one group can provide more opportunities, but focusing on just one and participating in as many activities and events as possible can help children (and parents) make better friends and feel more at home. Can't find a group near you that works for your family? Ready to start your own?
Here are a few tips to help: Make your group findable
If you want other homeschoolers to find your group, set up a website or Facebook group and clearly list on it location information for your group including: Florida, your county name, any cities or towns you operate in. Also include words like homeschool and home education. (The more location information given, the more likely that you'll have the terms someone searching for it will use.)
Look for places to list your group's information such as on FPEA.com, HSLDA.org, A2Zhomeschooling.com, and other sites that list homeschool groups. Ask if your school district's home education contact will list your group on their website. Some school districts are more homeschool-friendly and will list groups on their home education page if asked. Some health food stores, bookstores, and libraries will have a place to put cards advertising your group. Some librarians will take a card with your group information and will then mention it to people who ask about homeschooling. Churches and other places of worship may list it, too. If your community has a local events website or Facebook group or a local paper or other communication source, that may be a good place to list it, too. The more you advertise the group, the more the people you want in the group will be able to find it. Attract the right people
Describe your group so those you want to attract will join and those you don't want won't.
State whether your group is faith-based or secular (aka not religious) and/or inclusive (allowing those not of your faith to join or allowing those with religious beliefs to join a secular group). State whether the group offers classes (and are they drop-off or must parents stay) or field trips or park days or whatever sort of activities. Explain if the group is limited to certain ages or activities or styles of homeschooling. Be specific enough to draw the kind of people you want, but not so specific as to eliminate many that might be a good fit. Consider getting help
Help can come in multiple forms.
First, ask for others in your area who will help you run your group. Be sure to share your vision for the group and make sure they agree to that. (Writing down your vision as a mission statement is a good idea to keep the group on track.) Having someone else who can meet and greet people or take over key functions if one of your children is sick or you have a family crisis, etc., can make sure that the group keeps going when you can't be there--and that's key to keeping a group going long-term. You can delegate work or just have someone to bounce ideas off of and help make decisions. But help can also come in the form of finding others who have been there and done that and can share tips and advice. There are groups online for homeschool group leaders who can help you figure out how to keep a group running smoothly and what to do if drama hits. Consider joining one. "I am a Homeschool Group Leader" is a group on Facebook that I recommend for those setting up a group as a volunteer and not planning to make a profit off it. FPEA typically has some events for group leaders at their homeschooling conference held in the Orlando area each May. Finding support can help make the job easier and les stressful and more likely to succeed. For more detailed tips on creating a new homeschool group read this article:
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Homeschool Groups
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Highlands Heartland Homeschool Group: A homeschool support group with in-person events and activities. Sunshine State Secular Homeschoolers: An inclusive secular homeschool group for central Florida Hillsborough (including Tampa) ANCHOR Homeschool Co-op: Christian homeschool co-op. FISH (Fridays at South Bay): Christian homeschool support group in Brandon offering competitive sports, classes, graduation ceremonies, and more. Gulfside Art and Science Academy: A of group field trips and tours organized to get group rates; free to join but trips may have associated fees. Open Hearts Homeschool Activities Group - Brandon Area: inclusive, geared towards 8-11 yr olds THINK: a secular homeschooling group serving home learners in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando counties Tampa Bay HEAT: Christian homeschool support group offering park days, field trips, sports teams and more. Trinity Homeschool Academy: Christian homeschool co-op Holmes Holmes County, Jackson County, and Washington County Homeschool Families: A new (2022) inclusive social homeschool group Wiregrass Homeschoolers: Slightly over the border in Alabama Indian River Homeschool Events on the Treasure Coast: An inclusive group for homeschool field trips and adventures. Jackson Holmes County, Jackson County, and Washington County Homeschool Families: A new (2022) inclusive social homeschool group Riverbend Home Educators: A support group for Calhoun, Liberty, Gadsden, Jackson, and Washington families. Jefferson Jefferson County Homeschool Association: Support group offering classes, lending library and more Tallahassee Christian Homeschoolers Forum: Faith-based support in the Big Bend Region Lafayette Lafayette County Homeschool Group Lake Axis Homeschool Group & Co-op: A ministry of a church in Groveland with a variety of classes for k-12 and other opportunities. Farm School: Classes twice a week at a farm in Mt. Dora. Figeroa Christian Homeschool (Mascotte Florida): A Christian, Bilingual (Spanish/English) homeschool group for all ages Grace Home Schoolers: A Christian homeschool support group and co-op Lee Cape Coral Homeschool Co-op: secular, inclusive classes H.E.R.E. Home Educators Reaching for Excellence: Faith-based homeschool support in Hendry, Glades, and eastern Lee Counties. Homeschool Field Trips with Friends Homeschool Rocks!: Secular support for Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties Lee and Collier County Homeschoolers of Florida Leon (includes Tallahassee) Jefferson County Homeschool Association: Support group offering classes, lending library and more Tallahassee Christian Homeschoolers Forum: Faith-based support in the Big Bend Region Tallahassee Homeschool String Orchestra: faith-based music group for ages 3-18 Levy Tallahassee Christian Homeschoolers Forum: Faith-based support in the Big Bend Region Liberty Riverbend Home Educators: A support group for Calhoun, Liberty, Gadsden, Jackson, and Washington families. Madison Jefferson County Homeschool Association: Support group offering classes, lending library and more Manatee The Happy Homeschool Group of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Manatee-Sarasota Unschoolers: secular & inclusive homeschool group Marion (including Ocala) Come As You Are Homeschoolers of Ocala and Beyond: An inclusive homeschool group for field trips, listing information and more. Christian Home Educators Association (CHEA): Ocala homeschool support. Home Education After Righteous Teaching (HEART): Ocala group that offers a variety of classes, sports, opportunities and more. Ocala Wilderness Learning (OWL): Secular, inclusive nature-based co-op Martin Homeschool Events on the Treasure Coast: An inclusive group for homeschool field trips and adventures. Homeschool Family Connections--Martin and St. Lucie Counties: Christian co-operative support group with many special needs children and using the peaceful parenting approach. Parents Educating on the Treasure Coast: A homeschool co-op SALT Hybrid Academy: Christian Waldorf-inpired co-op for St. Lucie and Martin Counties. Miami-Dade Arch Angels of South Florida: A Catholic homeschool support group. Dade Broward Homeschoolers Miami Homeschool Parents Parents Association for Christian Enrichment (PACE): A Christian homeschool co-op and support group based in Miami Parents Association for Teaching at Home (PATH): A secular, inclusive, nonprofit homeschool co-op and support group in Coral Gables South Miami and Homestead Homeschoolers: Support group for Homestead to Kendall, Upper Keys, and Broward for ages 5 to high school. Surf Skate Science Homeschool Classes: P.E. and Science classes in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties Monroe South Miami and Homestead Homeschoolers: Support group for Homestead to Kendall, Upper Keys, and Broward for ages 5 to high school. Nassau H.E.R.I. (Home Education Resources and Information): Faith-based support for Jacksonville and northeast Florida Northeast Florida Homeschool Happenings: An online informational group only with homeschool listings for Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Baker, and Nassau Counties. Okaloosa Crestview Secular Homeschoolers: Secular homeschool support for Okaloosa/Walton Counties NWFL Panhandle Homeschoolers: Inclusive homeschool support group serving Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties Okeechobee Homeschool Events on the Treasure Coast: An inclusive group for homeschool field trips and adventures. Orange (including Orlando) Christian Homeschooling in Orlando: Christian homeschool support group East Orlando Homeschool: Support group Gulfside Art and Science Academy: A of group field trips and tours organized to get group rates; free to join but trips may have associated fees. Libertas Scholars: Christian, 6-12 grade, twice-weekly classes mixing STEM and Classical education methods. Orlando. The Lighthouse Enrichment Homeschool Classes: In Winter Garden/Orlando with classes based on Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Rudolf Steiner philosophies. Mid-Florida Homeschoolers: An inclusive homeschool support group Orlando Homeschooling Rockstars: Secular, inclusive group for middle and high schoolers SW Orlando Homeschool Resource Group Sunshine Society: Free inclusive support group. Sunshine State Secular Homeschoolers: An inclusive secular homeschool group for central Florida Watermark Homeschool Enrichment: Christian community with classes for all grade levels Osceola Celebration Homeschool Meetups Forest Learning Cooperative: Nature -based exploration and socialization for all ages Osceola County Homeschoolers Saint Cloud Florida Homeschoolers Palm Beach CHEC the Center: Homeschool co-op with classes and tutoring. Faith-based. Fusion Enrichment: inclusive classes Generations Christian Co-op: offers a variety of classes and electives once a week in Greenacres. Homeschool Tweens PBC a group for tweens (new in 2022) Homeschooling Pod Network is a group to help south Florida homeschool families and teachers find each other to set up teacher-run classes. Parents Educating Children (PEC): A faith-based homeschool support group meeting in several locations in Palm Beach County since the 1980s PBC Homeschoolers: An inclusive homeschool support group since 1993. PBC Homeschoolers sponsor park meetups, field trips, classes, clubs, events including Talent Show, Field Day, Science Day, World Day, dances, and more. Cheryl of FLHomeschoolEvaluations has served on the Board since 2009. Saltwater Studies: Christian and secular marine biology classes and events. (for profit) Surf Skate Science Homeschool Classes: P.E. and Science classes in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties |
Pasco EPIC - East Pasco Homeschoolers Imagination Club: secular inclusive group for all ages, new in 2022 Hernando Homeschool Families: Secular homeschool support for Hernando, Pasco, and Citrus Counties Homeschool Friends of West Pasco: Secular homeschool group Lighthouse Christian Homeschool Academy: Christian co-op in New Port Richey. Nature Gremlins: secular inclusive homeschool group in East Pasco. THINK: a secular homeschooling group serving home learners in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando counties West Pasco Christian Homeschools: Hudson/New Port Richey areas Pinellas Homeschoolers of Pinellas: inclusive classes for ages 2-adult North Pinellas Homeschool Support: Information page on local homeschooling THINK: a secular homeschooling group serving home learners in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando counties Where the Wild Things Meet: A free casual homeschool group Polk Davenport-Haines City Homeschoolers First HUG (Homeschoolers Under God): Christian homeschool support group/co-op. Lakeland Homeschoolers Lakeland Secular Homeschoolers an inclusive, secular group. Polk County Homeschoolers Wild School of Polk County: nature-based co-op of homeschoolers and others. Winter Haven Homeschoolers Putnam H.E.R.I. (Home Education Resources and Information): Faith-based support for Jacksonville and northeast Florida Saint Johns (including St. Augustine) Catholic Homeschoolers in the Diocese of St. Augustine, FL: Catholic homeschool suppport. Coastal Tides Homeschooling: Secular homeschool group. Homeschoolers by the Sea: A Christian homeschool co-op. H.E.R.I. (Home Education Resources and Information): Faith-based support for Jacksonville and northeast Florida Northeast Florida Homeschool Happenings: An online informational group only with homeschool listings for Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Baker, and Nassau Counties. Vilano Beach Kids' Meetup Saint Lucie Homeschool Events on the Treasure Coast: An inclusive group for homeschool field trips and adventures. Homeschool Family Connections--Martin and St. Lucie Counties: Faith-based co-operative support group with many special needs children and using the peaceful parenting approach. Parents Educating on the Treasure Coast: A homeschool co-op SALT Hybrid Academy: Christian Waldorf-inpired co-op for St. Lucie and Martin Counties. Treasure Coast Homeschoolers Santa Rosa NWFL Panhandle Homeschoolers: Inclusive homeschool support group serving Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties Northwest Florida Homeschoolers: An inclusive group in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties West Florida Home Education SupportLeague an inclusive faith-based organization for home educators in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Sarasota (including Venice and Bradenton) Canna Lily Co-op: Secular group for middle schoolers in North Port area. Gulf Coast Homeschool Fine Arts: A music school for homeschoolers. The Happy Homeschool Group of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Homeschool Charlotte County and North Port, FL Legacy of Learners: Christian, homeschool support group Lemon Bay Homeschool Explorers: Nature-based co-op in Englewood. Manatee-Sarasota Unschoolers: secular & inclusive homeschool group Sarasota Homegrown Homeschoolers Suncoast Homeschoolers: Secular, inclusive group serving Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. Seminole Central Florida Bilingual Home Educators is a Christian support group for Bilingual families who home educate or are thinking about home educating in the near future, and those interested in exposing their children to a second language. Grace Home Schoolers: A Christian homeschool support group and co-op Mid-Florida Homeschoolers: An inclusive homeschool support group St. Johns: see Saint Johns St. Lucie: see Saint Lucie Sumter Citrus County Christian homeschool: Christian homeschool support group and co-op for Citrus County area. Suwannee Wellborn Homeschool Co-op: Co-op for grades k-12 meets at Wellborn Baptist Church. Taylor Tallahassee Christian Homeschoolers Forum: Faith-based support in the Big Bend Region Union Volusia (including Daytona) Black Homeschoolers of Central Florida: An inclusive homeschool group focused on families of color East Volusia Homeschoolers: An inclusive group Explore Nature with Kids: Deland area Volusia County Homeschoolers Wakulla Walton Crestview Secular Homeschoolers: Secular homeschool support for Okaloosa/Walton Counties NWFL Panhandle Homeschoolers: Inclusive homeschool support group serving Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties Walton Freeschoolers: Park days and other events for all ages--babies to teens Washington Holmes County, Jackson County, and Washington County Homeschool Families: A new (2022) inclusive social homeschool group Riverbend Home Educators: A support group for Calhoun, Liberty, Gadsden, Jackson, and Washington families. Don't see a group that will work for you? Go to a meeting of a nearby group and talk to other parents--often people in one group will know of others and can help you find a better fit. Or start your own. Put out the word. State the group's purpose and a time and place to meet. Public meeting spaces are a common place to begin. Even 1 or 2 other families with a common goal can greatly enhance your homeschooling journey. Look on sites like FPEA.com and A2Zhomeschooling.com for other options. Many homeschoolers find businesses in their area useful for their homeschooling. These include: Catholic Schoolhouse is a national organization which hosts Catholic Classical education-style classes for homeschoolers and has chapters across the country. Classical Conversations is a national organization which hosts faith-based Classical education-style classes for homeschoolers once a week for group learning with lessons to then do at home the rest of the week. Hybrid and/or microschools--search for options in your area if you want more classes for your child. Mathnasium: Math enrichment classes (a business that's not just for homeschoolers). Museums, zoos, nature centers, and other institutions: Many of these offer programs for homeschoolers or may be willing to set them up. These range from regular classes to special events, sometimes including science labs, to tours, and other programs. Saints P.E. hosts faith-based drop-off P.E. classes in several areas in Florida with half-day and full-day. saintsofflorida.com Tutoring companies: Many host support for homeschoolers including drop-off programs in which they teach or offer supervision for homeschoolers. Check with tutoring companies in your area. What Do Homeschool Groups Offer? Each group has its own style and personality so what they offer will vary greatly. We've been in groups that offered so many different things including:
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