When is a co-op "worth it"?

[Stayseeliz]

This is our first year doing a once a week co-op and the first semester is over. My kids LOVED it but I'm not sure if it was worth it and how to decide whether we will continue next semester. It's early in the am and 35 minutes away from home. It's an extracurricular co-op with things like spanish, pe, recess, music, etc. Really the only things they wouldn't normally get at home are the music theory specific to that teacher and the literature/creative writing. All things we COULD do at home.

 

My kids really loved it but I'm not sure it was worth it for the subjects taught. I think they liked hanging out with other kids more. And other weekly events suffered since we were missing an entire school day each week. We bowed out of fun once a month clubs, etc because of co-op. How do you decided if the good things about co-op are worth the bad?

[stm4him]

I would say it is worth it if it meets your long term goals, your kids love it, and it helps you with accountability. For us the first time we tried CC I felt like it wasn't worth all the drive, prep, and hassle and I was exhausted. But I didn't see the big picture b/c my oldest was only 5 at the time. Plus b/c of other things going on I dropped it. But now we are back and loving it and getting so much out of it and I wish I had never left. It is totally holding me accountable for staying on track with school b/c of wanting them to do well when we get there, but more importantly b/c I want them to be ready for the next levels (Essentials, Challenge). I could do CC at home by myself and for years I said I would but I never did get around to it. I say look at the big picture of where you want to go in your homeschool and see how necessary it is!

 

stm4him

[Stayseeliz]

Interesting thought. I'm not sure this is big on the "long-term goals" requirement. I think it was fun and new but I'm not sure they learned too much. I think finding a good art class and focusing on other activities would probably be better. Thanks for the food for thought.

[Lily_Grace]

I agree with stm4him. It's only worth it if it meets your long term goals. We just finished our first semester at co-op and while there are some things I would DEFINITELY change, overall it was worth it for my son. He got a writing class, cooking, ASL, and music lessons. All very good, wonderful classes. The last two are being cut for the second semester, though, and it will be interesting to see how we feel at the end of the year.

[Heather in Neverland]

I have been involved in several co-ops and honestly the only one I really liked wasn't really a "co-op" per se but a pay-for-the-classes-you-want situation. They had paid teachers and you signed up for what you wanted and paid for it. They offered things I would not normally do in my own home with my kids like Lego Robotics, and chess club, and choir, and Math Olympiad, etc. I could sit and chit chat with moms or read a book or whatever.

 

I was also in one where all the moms had to teach a class or help in the nursery and it was an academic co-op. I did not like it at all. It was a ton of work for me and all the familes could not agree on academic expectations, homework, etc. It led to bickering and hurt feelings. no thank you.

[amy g.]

I agree with Heather. I love of classes where I choose each one and pay a teacher who is really a specialist in that subject.

 

It takes up too much time if they are not learning anything.

[Donna]

I have been involved in several co-ops and honestly the only one I really liked wasn't really a "co-op" per se but a pay-for-the-classes-you-want situation. They had paid teachers and you signed up for what you wanted and paid for it. They offered things I would not normally do in my own home with my kids like Lego Robotics, and chess club, and choir, and Math Olympiad, etc. I could sit and chit chat with moms or read a book or whatever.

 

I was also in one where all the moms had to teach a class or help in the nursery and it was an academic co-op. I did not like it at all. It was a ton of work for me and all the familes could not agree on academic expectations, homework, etc. It led to bickering and hurt feelings. no thank you.

 

:iagree: If I were paying someone who is a specialist in something I am not or if they had available classes that were better taught in a group setting like the things Heather listed.

 

So far, I haven't found that situation. The one co-op we did where something I thought would be interesting for my kids to learn ended up having so many age requirements for different things then the classes they did end up taking were so unorganized and unfocused that they ended up learning nothing. Kinda turned me off from co-ops as a whole.

[ktgrok]

When it meets a need. It is ok if that need is "hanging out and socializing." At least, I hope that is an ok need, because it is the only reason we do co-op. Ours is science, music, and art and I could do all three subjects better at home. But he loves seeing his friends, and that means he isn't a grump about homeschooling, so we do it.

[angela in ohio]

Here's the only co-op I think would be worth it, after many, many years of being in various co-ops: each mom is qualified to teach a different subject and does so for an even trade AND everyone has the same behavior and academic expectations. No one gets off with just cleaning, no outside teachers you have to pay for even though you are teaching others' dc for free (thus the name CO-OP,) and no big meetings and memos about rules - everyone just treats each dc like their own as far as behavior goes. It would help if everyone was a classical educator, too, as that has been one of the biggest issues I've run into.

[momofkhm]

My kids really loved it but I'm not sure it was worth it for the subjects taught. I think they liked hanging out with other kids more. And other weekly events suffered since we were missing an entire school day each week. We bowed out of fun once a month clubs, etc because of co-op. How do you decided if the good things about co-op are worth the bad?

 

How old are your kids and what are your reasons for going? If you go for "socialization", then it's worth it. If you go for the classes, this one doesn't sound like it's good for you.

 

I started going to co-op the first year all of mine were home. Now it's just something we do. At first it was fluff classes. The girls are now in high school and I've wondered about it for them. But they've started having *academic* classes. Almost requiring someone to say they'll teach some sort of lit class each semester.

 

So far for her high school years, oldest has gotten worldview classes at co-op until this year. This year she taking British lit. If she takes both semesters, it will be a full credit. Their have also been pe or health classes there that I combine with soccer and call it a PE credit.

 

So for me, it's worth it.

[LaxMom]

We were involved in a similar co-op when my kids were younger. Or, rather, when the 10yo was younger and the boys weren't school-aged yet. It was great for "enrichment" type activities that were more fun in a group, and we definitely expanded our homeschooling circle.

 

That said, last year, after six years of co-op, we decided it was no longer benefitting our educational plan. We just weren't finding balance in losing an entire day each week for non-academic - or even light academic - classes.

 

This year, we have a M/F PE class at the Y that we participate in, and the kids participate in a family fitness class in the evening on Wednesdays. Other enrichment classes are on an as-interested, works with our schedule, basis.

 

I guess what I'm saying, in far too many words, is: only you can decide if it's "worth it".

[Dmmetler]

We do a similar co-op and it's worth it for socializing (both for DD and for me), group classroom skills, and just plain to give her a "School Class"-something that, for DD, right now, appears to be very important. Academically...well, it's mostly a wasted day, and when she gets older the priorities might change, but at age 7, it's worth it.

[CalicoKat]

I have been involved in several co-ops and honestly the only one I really liked wasn't really a "co-op" per se but a pay-for-the-classes-you-want situation. They had paid teachers and you signed up for what you wanted and paid for it. They offered things I would not normally do in my own home with my kids like Lego Robotics, and chess club, and choir, and Math Olympiad, etc. I could sit and chit chat with moms or read a book or whatever.

 

I was also in one where all the moms had to teach a class or help in the nursery and it was an academic co-op. I did not like it at all. It was a ton of work for me and all the familes could not agree on academic expectations, homework, etc. It led to bickering and hurt feelings. no thank you.

 

:iagree: She said it very well. We did the coop where I had to teach for the last two years. It was a ton of work for me and I was exhausted. The kids loved the interaction but they didn't learn much.

 

When we moved I was discouraged because there are no coops like this and I was worried......but then we found a pay-as-you-go-classes once a month coop and my kids still love it AND they're learning something interesting! There's a science club, there's usually a crafty hobby thingy, and something more athletic. If we had to move back I wouldn't re-enroll in the other coop again.

[MamaT]

I have always felt that co-ops took too much "school" time away. This year, however, we are involved in one much like Heather described. With the ages of my kids, it is great for them to have a chance to go to classes with many of their friends. Behavior rules are strict - kids are sent to study hall if they disrupt a class. It is great for them to have foreign language teachers. That is something I really don't like to teach. They also take science there and love doing the group labs.

[Pretty in Pink]

I'm sure someone else has already mentioned it but, if I had it to do over again, we would have done more co-ops and such when my eldest was younger. I know it's a PITA sometimes, but those are things that are more difficult to make time for as the children get older. Besides, my primary purpose in most outside activities is socialization, not the activity itself. I think the experience is valuable for that reason alone.

[Zebra]

I have an only child, and the co-op has been really beneficial to her socially. She was a very shy kid when she started and has become much more outgoing. We don't do anything else like co-op (church or what have you).

 

We needed this sort of situation, but not everyone does.

[LisaKinVA]

You all are just so lucky to have those options... I dream of a co-op "school" that meets twice a week for the following:

 

Latin and other foreign language classes

Science

Art

Music

PE

And other school "electives" that are just difficult to do at home...

like: yearbook/journalism/Book of the Month with discussions, etc., maybe even upper level maths (Algebra 1 and higher).

 

Right now, we have no co-ops that I'm aware of. We do have homeschool classes (arts/gym), and a co-op homeschool (full-curriculum, age-grade)...

[Mimm]

For me, co-op is worth it because my kids are desperate for a social life. They miss their friends at school and it can be really hard to make new ones when you're homeschooling. Sure, I can tell them they are involved in Tae Kwon Do, and ballet and piano lessons and so on, but these activities are usually only an hour or so long and it's arrive, learn, leave. Co-op is several hours, from 9-1:30. They do several classes, and during at least one of those classes (the one I teach- art) they can talk pretty much the entire time. Plus they have a break period and a long lunch period where they sit around and talk and run around and play.

 

I would like a co-op that was more academic in nature (that didn't conflict with what I was doing at home). I considered Classical Conversation briefly but it just wasn't in my budget this year. So we went with this one and I've not regretted it. The other teachers feel they've done all they wanted to with their subjects so they were working on trying to figure out what to teach and I talked one into doing a logic/critical thinking class. :)

[Ellie]

High school age, higher maths and sciences, foreign languages, maybe.

 

A large group co-op for younger dc defeats the purpose of homeschooling, IMHO. Being out of the house two days a week, on someone else's time schedule, would make me crazy. Even one day a week would wreak havoc with my own homeschooling plans and goals and whatnot.

[Meriwether]

Coop is worth it for me. It was how I met most of our friends here (we move around). If we already knew people and had a friends network, I'm not sure it would be worth it.

[Guest]

When it meets a need. It is ok if that need is "hanging out and socializing." At least, I hope that is an ok need, because it is the only reason we do co-op. Ours is science, music, and art and I could do all three subjects better at home. But he loves seeing his friends, and that means he isn't a grump about homeschooling, so we do it.

 

:iagree: I don't think I would like homeschooling if I did not have our co-op. That is where I and my kids have made most of our like-minded friends. I love that they get a little taste of the fun part of school.

[Lolly]

For me, a coop would be worth it if it started after lunch one day a week. I would only want it for socialization. Starting after lunch would mean that I wouldn't lose the entire day of school. I don't have time for an entire day of education each week to be playtime. I haven't figured out how coops manage to function for high school subjects. They only meet once a week! I guess if that once a week just gave you a list of assignments or a study guide to use it might keep some people accountable, but I really dislike having a schedule forced on me. Our lives are just too...random for that. But, to have a teacher to teach the hard subjects? those require more input than once a week!

[Socalimom]

I was involved with a co-op that required parents to teach and/or provide childcare. I made friends with 3 of the moms, but, honestly, I wouldn't do it again. Took too much time planning and getting the materials for 12 students.

 

However, I do pay for my daughter's enrichment classes which she and I both love! I can volunteer to help if I want. She's currently taking ballet, choir, and tumbling. Next year I'll enroll her in sign language. She's also doing Upward Cheer and American Heritage Girls. So, no, I will not be doing a co-op where parent requirements have to be met. I have enough on my plate with teaching the 3 R's and keeping with my dd's enrichment classes.

[Stayseeliz]

My kids are 10, 7, 4 and an infant. With this recent co-op I was able to drop the oldest 3 off and not have any responsibility myself. I went to the store, tried on clothes, etc with just the baby. But now they won't have a preschool class and so I'll have to entertain the 4yo and baby 35 minutes away from home for 3-4 hours every week. They also cut the IEW and science classes they had planned. These are not experts for sure. Basically it's an hour of pe/recess and some basic singing, spanish and writing classes.

 

I've taught two once a month co-ops for the last two years. One was worth it-the other wasn't. Co-ops are NOT about socialization for me. It's about having classes they wouldn't otherwise have. This co-op doesn't seem worth the hassle. I wish there was a co-op where I could pick and choose the classes we wanted and pay experts!

 

I think I'm going to find them a really great art class, let ds do guitar, dd1 do ahg and maybe let dd2 do dance. Maybe I can plan them all on the same day! lol

Edited December 10, 2011 by Stayseeliz

[curlylocks]

Here's the only co-op I think would be worth it, after many, many years of being in various co-ops: each mom is qualified to teach a different subject and does so for an even trade AND everyone has the same behavior and academic expectations. No one gets off with just cleaning, no outside teachers you have to pay for even though you are teaching others' dc for free (thus the name CO-OP,) and no big meetings and memos about rules - everyone just treats each dc like their own as far as behavior goes. It would help if everyone was a classical educator, too, as that has been one of the biggest issues I've run into.

 

:iagree: -- especially the bolded.

 

We were part of a classical education co-op -- it was a lot of fun and the kids learned a lot. (although it was a pain to drive an hour one way...)

 

I taught on a rotating basis - different subjects, different age groups, providing childcare, etc.

 

It was a good experience for us...except my expectations varied from those of the other parents. (kids talking out of turn, kids not being prepared for class, fighting, late arrival, etc. etc.)

[BigMamaBird]

We belong to a Non-Academic Enrichment Co-op and for me, the social interaction alone is worth it. The kids get a Music Appreciation, Phys. Ed and Group Problem Solving class. At their ages, I can still handle all academics myself, so that type of class would be more of a burden than a benefit.

[2_girls_mommy]

Ours is mostly enrichment and socialization at the elem ages, and it is worth it for me.

 

I make up for the missed day by schooling mostly year round. We start the first month of Aug. each year and school 5 days a week for a whole month before co-op or any other extracurricular activity starts up. Then the rest of the year we school 3-4 days. (sometimes 3 days at home, 1 day on a field trip, 1 day at co-op, other weeks 4 days.) Co-op ends in April, and we go back to 5 day weeks for most of May.

 

We still finish the year by the beginning of June. So we do a 10 month as opposed to 9 mo. school year for most of the subjects. It is worth it for us for the friendships, the enrichment it offers, the playground experience, the recital at the end of the year, and the other things they have there that we couldn't do at home.

 

As for having to teach, yes I do. But I have found a great way to do it this year. I decided I will teach things that I was going to do at home anyway. Then I can really focus on the lesson for that hour, and my dd and I only have to keep up minimally at home. It has been great for accountability. And my dd loves learning in a group with her friends. I just made sure I told the kids up front that they were going to have to work in my class.

[shanvan]

For me, a coop would be worth it if it started after lunch one day a week. I would only want it for socialization. Starting after lunch would mean that I wouldn't lose the entire day of school. I don't have time for an entire day of education each week to be playtime. I haven't figured out how coops manage to function for high school subjects. They only meet once a week! I guess if that once a week just gave you a list of assignments or a study guide to use it might keep some people accountable, but I really dislike having a schedule forced on me. Our lives are just too...random for that. But, to have a teacher to teach the hard subjects? those require more input than once a week!

 

:iagree:I really had to control myself (so as not to laugh) last week after church when one of the mothers told me her Dd will be able to take a class with a real teacher at co-ops next year. She explained to me that the class would count as high school credits b/c a real teacher is going to teach it. :confused: It's a once a week class! The credits are decided by the amount of work and time spent by the student as well as a certain mastery of the material, not whether or not a certified teacher is teaching it especially once a week. I've had sooo many of the younger moms tell me they are counting on the co-ops for high school credits. I just don't get it. Why do they think a once a week class or co-op is more credit worthy than putting in the time at home? At first I thought maybe they mean it will help keep them accountable? But that's not what they are saying. It's the fact that a 'real teacher' is teaching it that makes it creditworthy (according to the moms I spoke with).

 

I too do not like having a schedule planned by someone else. Inevitably when ever I have registered Ds in a co-op or teacher lead class, the class has not measured up to my expectations (even when lead by a certified teacher). I usually become frustrated by the time wasted, the focus of the material (which never seems to be what was presented in the syllabus), and the lack of adequate teaching to meet the goals of the class (it's only once a week, after all). Then I end up having to teach stuff I had no intention of teaching and, voila! Suddenly I am following someone elses schedule and philosophy of education. Sorry:blushing: I've written more than I intended and am verging on a rant. At any rate, I will not register Ds for once a week classes again.

[Joy at Home]

For me, a coop would be worth it if it started after lunch one day a week. I would only want it for socialization. Starting after lunch would mean that I wouldn't lose the entire day of school. I don't have time for an entire day of education each week to be playtime. I haven't figured out how coops manage to function for high school subjects. They only meet once a week! I guess if that once a week just gave you a list of assignments or a study guide to use it might keep some people accountable, but I really dislike having a schedule forced on me. Our lives are just too...random for that. But, to have a teacher to teach the hard subjects? those require more input than once a week!

 

We joined CC this year and dd14 is in Challenge A. It meets once a week and, while it was an adjustment, I'm finding it's just the right balance for us this year. It is our first experience ever with an outside class, and years ago I may have really hesitated to give up control, but it has been a huge blessing for us. One of my goals for high school is to have dd work more independantly, learning to manage her time, and meeting deadlines. She is learning these skills, with Monday's class setting out her goals for the week. I continue to guide her at home and help her where needed, but it has shifted much of the responsibility to her tutor which, a couple of years ago I would have resisted, but as she moves through high school is a real help.

 

What also makes the difference for us is having the same educational philosophy as cc. Much of the material I was planning on using at home, i.e., Saxon and Apologia. I don't know how much "bending" I could do if I wasn't completely on board with educational philosophy and curriculum.

 

So, all that to say that with each new year our goals change and, whereas a co-op was never something that fit into those goals, this year it is meeting them beautifully (all dds are involved in cc this year).

 

Lisa

[Farrar]

To me, the kids making sustained friendships *is* enough. Now, if that includes drama, big fees, or other aggravating factors, then it might not be, but we do two once a week, free, small family co-ops that rotate homes and teachers. In one, the kids pick the topics (we've done things like animals, maps, electricity...) and in the other the parents pick the themes (we've done things like water, mazes, communication...). Both are really worth it for us. My kids get a lot out of them. Sometimes they learn things I couldn't have taught them, but I have no expectation that it will replace any part of our academics at home. The things they get out of it are more intangible, more about working as a team, learning from others, being a part of a group. And I love the other moms (and one dad) who are part of the groups. I get a lot out of hanging around with them.

[Alice]

We joined a co-op last year even though I was unsure if it would end up being worth it. I work part-time and I was very reluctant to give up another day of classes. At the end of the year, I felt like it had been one of the best things we did all year.

 

For us it's worth it mainly for the social interactions. My oldest LOVED it last year and this year. My middle son had a harder time adjusting but really loves it this year and my daughter, the social butterfly is in her element. Our co-op is also structured so parents teach two classes and have a third session that is a "support group". It's a really nice part of my week too and I've made some friends there.

 

Our classes are primarily extra, I don't view them as part of our main curriculum. It's a lot of the enrichment classes like PE, art, choir and drama. They also do science and geography/history but we look at that as extra and I don't worry about it correlating to what we do at home. Next year my oldest will be at the age where he can pick electives and there are a wide variety of things he can pick, ranging from academic to just fun. I started last year thinking of all this as just icing on the cake but I have grown to appreciate that he is getting a lot out of his classes. I also found that we are able to get everything else in on the other days.

 

Our co-op is very large and very organized. For me that's a plus. There are a lot of opportunities to be involved in activities that would be difficult to do on our own but that I think are worthwhile. There is a very active and excellent drama program, a speech and debate group, Odyssey of the Mind, 4H, etc. There is also a large group of high-schoolers and they do more socially and create a yearbook, have a student government, etc. My observation is that there are many people who opt not to do those extras and that's fine too. But it's nice to have those opportunities even if we don't use them all.

 

So for us it was worth it because: it met a need (social), it didn't interfere with our other work, and it had extras that we like. Also, it has something for the entire family.

 

Also, I'll address the high school classes being taught once a week. I'm teaching an Apologia Anatomy class this year which has been a great experience. I was very clear from the beginning (even in the course description) that the class would require a mininum of 4-5 hours a week outside of co-op. I told the students and parents on the first day that I viewed my role more as a facilitator, there is no way I can teach all the material once a week. They have very clear expectations of what they are to do out of class and class time is used to go over the most challenging material, as a time to view slides and for the occasional lab (there are very few labs in this particular Apologia class). We (I have a co-teacher) gave all the students our emails on day one and made it clear that they can email us with questions any time. We also set up a message board type discussion (at a great free website engrade.com) that we require them to participate in every other week. They have tests and will have a cumulative midterm and final. I think it's working, at least they seem to be learning the material. We based the way we set-up the class on the way other high school classes in the co-op had been done in the past.