2024-2025 Homeschool Co-ops & Educational Programs

Mar28
Co-ops and educational programs are such great ways to connect your children and you to other families who are homeschooling. Your children can take classes that you may not want to teach (such as a cooking class) or just don’t have the equipment for, such as chemistry. They are also a terrific way of meeting other homeschool moms. Some of my closest friends are those who I met at a local homeschool co-op.
* Please note that I am not recommending a particular co-op or program. This is purely an informational  listing of what is available in the area.  Be sure to investigate, research, and visit the co-op or program you are interested in attending.  Contact the co-op/program to see what is the best for your family and aligns with your values and worldview. 
If you have a great co-op or program and would like to be added to the list, please contact me.
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Bright Ideas Co-op
This is a faith-based homeschool co-op that offers educational and enrichment opportunities.
Location: Lebanon Presbyterian Church, 123 N East St., Lebanon, OH 45036
Day: Friday
Grades: K- 8th grade with preschool classes for siblings of students.
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CAFE Christian Co-op (a Community of Academics, Fine Arts and Encouragement)
Just like a cafe is a place to relax, fellowship and enjoy the company of friends, CAFE Christian Co-op is a place for homeschool families to find help, support and encouragement.
Location: Evangelical Community Church, 2191 Struble Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231
Day: Wednesday
Grades: PreK-12
Website: cafecoop.weebly.co
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Charis Classical Academy This is not a co-op, but is a homeschool program. 
Charis Classical Academy is a partnership program that offers a distinctive Pre K-9th grade classical education. CCA combines the individualized beauty of homeschooling with the order and discipline of a traditional classroom.
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays Electives Day: Monday
Grades: Pre K-12
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Christian Home Education Support System (CHESS) This is not a co-op, but is a homeschool program. 
“Homeschooling isn’t easy, and sometimes it can feel pretty lonely.  You can find tutorials and social groups anywhere, but we strive to be your family’s family – where your kids will forge lifelong friendships and you can find invaluable encouragement, support, information…or even just a shoulder to cry on.”
Location: 908 E Lower Springboro Rd, Springboro, OH 45066
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays   Electives Days: Monday, Wednesday
Grades: Nursery- 12th grade
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Classical Conversations This is not a co-op, but is a homeschool program. 
“Across the United States, Classical Conversations Communities exist to complement your home-centered education and connect you with like-minded families. Each community is facilitated by a trained parent-director, and classes are led by trained parent-tutors who model the classical tools of learning. Tutors have the privilege of encouraging students toward becoming lifelong learners while also encouraging parents in the classical teaching of their children.”
Grades: Pre K-12
* Local groups meet throughout the Greater Cincinnati Area.
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Divine Mercy Homeschool Co-op 
Location:552 Main St., Milford, OH 45150
Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Grades: Pre-K-12
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Family Christian Homeschool Co-op 
Location: North Fairfield Baptist Church, Fairfield, Ohio
Day: Friday
Grades: 1-12 with preschool classes for siblings of students.
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Freedom Homeschool Cincinnati 
Location: Freedom Church, 37355 Cornell Rd., Cincinnati, OH
Day: Monday 10:00AM-2:00PM
Grades: Nursery -12th grade
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Growing Wild Nature Co-op
Location: Hueston Woods State Park
Day: Wednesday
Grades: 1st-8th grade with siblings of all ages welcome to participate.
Description: Growing Wild is a secular nature-based homeschool co-op that provides an immersive nature experience for children and families, fostering a love and respect for nature through hands-on learning and exploration. We welcome families of differing values, beliefs, abilities, and backgrounds to join us in our mission to connect homeschool children and families to the beauty and joy of nature.
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Help Homeschool
Location: Milford Christian Church, 844 State Route 131, Milford OH 45150.
Day: Wednesday
Grades: K–12
HELP Homeschool offers enrichment and academic classes taught from a biblical perspective. We partner with the parent for the purpose of equipping you in your God-given task of educating your children. Parents are given the flexibility to select the classes best suited to your student need and family budget.  Classes are held once a week so families experience minimal disruption to everyday life.
Website: https://www.homeschool-life.com/oh/helphomeschool
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H.O.P.E Helping Other People Educate Christian Homeschool Co-op
Location: Freedom Hill Community Church, Stow, OH
Day: Tuesday
General Description: Christian Homeschool Co-op strives to be a Christian homeschool cooperative that meets the enrichment needs of families living in Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Munroe Falls, and surrounding areas. We want to not only enrich the families’ lives educationally, but also spiritually. We want this to be a fun and safe environment for families to grow together and support each other in the homeschool community.
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Kingdom Builders Co-op

Location: Bethany Baptist Church, 6049 Yankee Road, Liberty Township, OH 45044

Day: Wednesday

Grades: 1-12 with preschool classes for siblings of students.

General Description: We are a Christ-centered community that provides a variety of educational and enrichment classes for home-educating families in a safe and loving environment.

Website: kingdombuilderscoop.weebly.com  

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The Learning Tree Co-op in Springdale, Ohio 
Location: Vineyard Community Church in Springdale off Kemper Road
Day: Monday
Grades: K-12  with preschool classes for siblings of students.
Web Site: http://www.learningtreeonline.org/
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Leaves of Learning
Location: 7131 Plainfield Rd., Deer Park, Ohio 45236
Days: Tuesday-Friday depending upon classes taken
Grades: Preschool-12
Web Site: www.leavesoflearning.org
* This is a secular based program.
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Middletown Christian School Homeschool Program
Location: Grace Baptist Church. 3011 N Union Road  Franklin, OH 45005 (Middletown Christian School)
Day: Mondays- twice a month 9 am to 12 pm
Grades: 1-12
Description: This is a drop-off program offering classes in Spanish, Art/Music, Apologia Science, PE and more!  Additionally, Middletown Christian Schools offers students in grades 6-12 a partnership program with the school.
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PATH-Parents in Academic Training of Homeschoolers
We are a Christ-centered group of volunteer home school parents, partnering together with Christian teachers to provide high-quality courses for 7th – 12th grade home school students. Our goal is to have all courses taught from a Biblical perspective at an academic level to prepare students for higher education.
Location: Faith Church, 5910 Price Rd., Milford, OH 45150
Days: Tuesday (Thursday is additional for math classes)
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Roots of Grace 
Location: Hamilton Christian Center  1940 Millville Ave., Hamilton, Ohio 45013
Day: Friday
Grades: K-12 with nursery and preschool program for siblings
Contact: Melissa Gibbons

(513) 687-1464
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Providence Extension Program (PEP):
This is not a co-op, but rather a homeschool program specializing in Classical Education with a Biblical Worldview.  PEP partners with homeschool parents to give 7th -12th grade students the knowledge of history, writing and speaking, and biblical philosophy vs. world philosophies they need to convince the world to follow them as they follow Christ.
Location: Campuses are in the Greater Cincinnati/ Dayton area
Days: Campuses meet either M,W or T,R
Website:  www.pep1.org
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Veritas Christian Homeschool Group
Location: Tri-County Baptist Church 8195 Beckett Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069
Day: Tuesday
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West Branch Learning Tree -WBLT Cheviot
Location: Friendship Baptist Church, 8580 Cheviot Road, Cheviot, Ohio
Day: Monday
Grades: Nursery-12
Website: http://www.homeschool-life.com/oh/wbltcoop
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Wisdom’s Way Co-op in Milford
Location:Faith Evangelical Free Church, 5910 Price Rd., Milford, Ohio
Day: Monday
Grades: Nursery–12
Website: www.wisdomsway.net

Homeschool Assessment Giveaway 2024

Feb26

Giveaway Closed Congratulations to April L. and Abby S. Winners will be contacted via email.

How is it possible that it is already the last week of February? It’s time for my annual Homeschool Assessment Giveaway. I will be giving away two assessments this year to two different entrants. If you’d like to have a chance to win one of them, please email me at schoolmarmohio@me.com and write Giveaway in the subject line. For an extra entry, refer a friend and have them tell me of your referral. Each referral is an extra entry for you.

The Giveaway begins today and will end on Sunday, March 3 at midnight. I will announce the winner here as well as notify you by email if you win. Those who won last year will not be eligible to participate this year.

Have a great week! I hope you win! ~Lisa~

New Year, New Services

Jan28

As of the 2023-2024 school year, homeschool families are no longer required by law to submit any type of assessment to the superintendent to continue to homeschooling. Having been an assessor for 25 years, I will continue to offer this service if you would like to have me review your student’s work. Since this is now optional, I am in the unique position to offer other additional services which I have not had the time for in the past. I am very excited to be offering help, homeschool coaching, and consulting. Do you need help with scheduling; choosing curricula; need some guidance with high school? Think of me as a resource where I can help you. I am not limited to just Ohio homeschoolers, but can help any homeschool family.

Here is a brief description of some of the services I am offering via Zoom or email, whichever you prefer. You can sign up for a single 30 minute time slot or back-to-back appointments if you need more time for any of my educational services. The fee is $45.00 (for 30 minute time slot) and can be paid electronically or via personal check prior to or at the time of service. To schedule, go to: www.calendly.com/schoolmarmohio Please tell me what service in the notes you would like when you sign up.

Homeschool Assessments- I will continue to offer homeschool assessments as I have since 1999. The prices are listed on the scheduling app.

Getting Started- So, you are going to homeschool. Congratulations! Now, where do you begin? I’ll be happy to help. We will discuss the age of your student, paperwork you need to submit, writing a cover letter to the superintendent, and any general homeschool questions you have.

Scheduling- How do I set up a school day with my student? I’ll be glad to help you determine what would work best for your own homeschool and family dynamics.

Choosing Curricula- There are so many options from which to choose that it can be overwhelming. I’m here to help you narrow the field and lead you towards what would help your student(s) thrive.

Coaching- We will discuss questions you have and look for ways to make your school year successful. You can sign up for as many times as you wish. It can be one time; once a semester; weekly, or something else.

Homeschooling High School- It’s not as difficult as it may seem! I have graduated both of my sons and have helped many families with course choices, issuing credits. creating transcripts, etc.

Consulting- Do you just want to make sure you are on the right track and not missing anything? Do you have a child who is struggling? Other questions you’d like help with in your schooling? We can discuss whatever concerns you have.

Have a great week! Feel free to send me a message if you have questions.

~Lisa~

A New Year, New Requirements

Jan14

I apologize that I have not been posting to my blog. But, I have had not one, but two knee surgeries this year. So, my time has been taken up with more attention to my knee than I ever wanted to do. What about you? I hope your school year has been filled with lots of days filled with learning and discovery of who your child(ren) is both as student and your precious gift.

You may know that beginning this academic school year (2023-24) that you are no longer required to submit an assessment to the superintendent. I have been asked what I think about this since I have been an assessor for over 20 years. Here are my thoughts after many months of consideration. I think it is wise to continue to have an assessment for your student. Why you ask?

1. It’s all on you- You are now solely responsible for the documentation of your child’s work. In the past, I have maintained student’s academic samples for two years in the event that someone would question whether you, as the homeschool teacher, provided an education for your child. and that they made progress in accordance with their abilities

2. Evaluating the school year- I believe it is wise to evaluate the progress that your child has made the past year. It’s going to be very easy to close the books and just order the next year’s curricula. But, looking back and evaluating what worked, what has been mastered, and what needs to be studied next year is important.

3. Spotting learning issues- As a teacher, I can spot difficulties such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, trouble in writing, etc. I can help you to investigate getting further diagnostic avenues should you wish to pursue that for your student.

4. Receiving encouragement- I hope and pray above all , that I as an assessor, would encourage you. My wish is to let you know all the great things you have done for your student. You work hard and so does your student. I want to be your homeschool’s biggest supporter and cheerleader.

So, if you would like to have me review your student(s)’s work, I am available any time. You can schedule your assessment at: www.calendly.com/schoolmarmohio I will send you an email with a Google Drive link to upload your student’s academic samples.

I have exciting news to share with you next week as I am adding to my homeschool business.

Have a great week! ~ Lisa ~

Notifying the Superintendent

Aug6

I tell families whose children’s work I have assessed to send their notification paperwork to do three things:

  1. Make copies of all of your paperwork.
  2. Send your paperwork via certified mail.
  3. Pay the extra and ask for a return receipt.

You have just finished all of your paperwork and you certainly don’t want to lose

“Why can’t you just drop it off at the superintendent’s office?” you ask. The postal worker has to deliver it to someone, who in turn must sign that they received your paperwork. This guarantees that they received it and you have proof should you not receive your exemption from public education from the office. The likelihood of your paperwork is greater then you think, especially if you turn things in when things get busy. Another option would be to hand deliver your paperwork and create your own receipt for an office worker to sign. But, I’d rather it be the post office delivering it.

Have a great week! If I can be of assistance in helping you with this process, please contact me. I charge a reasonable hourly fee and will be happy to help this be as easy and stress-free as possible.

Have a great week! ~Lisa~