Homeschool Co-operatives, Event Groups, and Learning Pods

Co-operatives, Groups, and Classes begin enrollment in the spring.  Do not delay, they often fill up long before fall!

 

What is a homeschool co-operative?  

In the truest sense of the definition, a homeschool co-operative is an unincorporated association or incorporated non-profit with group classes taught once or twice a week by parent volunteers.  This is usually a more intimate regular group meeting of likeminded families for a variety of academic and recreational purposes.  The pandemic brought explosive growth of those who embrace an expanded definition of home education.  This resulted in new and often confused terms.  Learning pods and micro schools, often still refer to themselves as a "co-op" but are often privately owned, a partnership, have paid staff or contractors and can be for profit or non-profit endeavors.  See also the "Micro schools and Hybrid programs page.)

 

If you would like information on how to start a homeschool co-operative, please become familiar with Carol Topp's resources.   Carol is a retired homeschooling mother and Certified Public Accountant. This site specializes in helping nonprofit homeschool organizations. HomeschoolCPA.com

 

Updated 7/8/24

Escambia- Pensacola, Molino, Cantonment, Century, Warrington
  • Anchored Academy
    • Anchored Academy is a Faith-Based, drop off program that focuses on academics, but offers electives as well. Classes are available for 1st grade through 12. Core courses of math, writing, history and science are available for most ages, and electives are available for all ages.
  • Carpe Schole'
    • Faith Based; A Schole’ community, that supports the at-home, classical Christian education. Appealing to those who enjoy the freedom of following a variety of classical curriculum, including the Charlotte Mason methods, with student fellowship in a group setting. An intentional annual learning pattern provides continual growth for returning students at all provided academic levels.  Great effort is made to appeal to the wonder and curiosity of students through discussion and hands on learning experience.  A local non-profit community.
  • Classical Conversations 
    • Faith-Based, classical. Once a week classes for K-12th grade with various communities throughout the Pensacola area. Classical Conversations employs parents as tutors to lead students through the 15 Tools of Learning as they discover "how to think, not what to think."
  • Fairfield Cooperative
    • Faith-Based, academic, Nursery-12, parent involvment
  • Faith Friends Homeschool Group
    • We are a group of Christian Homeschoolers, who meet together for classes  bi-weekly.
      Our group provices opportunities for Christian families to partner together for Bible study, Classes, field trips, and for fellowship. Our Mission is to provide homeschool families with a Christ-centered community and enrich their home based learning. This group is to provide academic support, social enrichment and spiritual encouragement for local Christian Homeschooling families along the side of other christian families with everyone involved. We are all in this together. Families can support one another in the pursuit and continuance of Homeschooling. Share experiences and pool resources over coffee (of course if you like coffee). Provide opportunities for ourselves and our children to build relationships with others. We believe that parents are responsible for the education and character development of their children. In this group you can form with a community of christians to disciple one another and to grow in faith.
  • Hopeful Cooperative
    • Homeschoolers of Pensacola Enriching Faith Unity and Lives, group meets once a month for activities, play dates, potlucks and more.
  • Middle School Tutoring Lab
    • We exist as an alternative to public or private full time middle school optons.  We are faith based, but all are welcome.  Our mission is to provide academic tutoring and enrichment in a small group atmosphere.
    • "Kimberly Duarte
      midschoollab@gmail.com"
  • NWFL HUB
    • The NWFL HUB is a 100% volunteer led non-profit with tiered resources including public events, this NWFL home education directory, and a private membership base.  Membership provides accesss to field trips and events across the pandhandle.  Thanks to a 2023 VELA GRANT membership is free, though many events have entrance fees, see website for membership link.  The organization provides information, support, and opportunity to all home education families with additional resources availalbe to be used by it's members.  The NWFL HUB exists to connect the home education community to comprehensive information, educational resources, and providers.
  • Pensacola Homeschool Nature Explorers
    • Weekly nature group for homeschoolers and families with young children. We meet once a week for group activities, nature walks and free play.
      Activities are geared towards elementary aged children but younger and older siblings are welcome. Families will be asked to bring supplies each week, most items are found at home (I.e. paint, paintbrushes, etc).
  • Sunshine Learners
    • We are a play-based educational co-op that meets in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties (Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Beulah, Navarre, Molino etc). We usually meet at parks to hold our weekly lessons and have free play. We also have lots of field trips throughout the year. Our lessons and field trips are hosted by the mom's in the group. We are solely volunteer-led. The majority of our students are Pre-K through 5th grade.
      This Co-op is an in-person PARTICIPATION based group. We expect the members who join online to show up in person to events on a regular basis. We love building new friendships within our homeschool community!
      If the description of our co-op sounds like it will be a good fit for your family then please answer the three new member questions in order to join.
  • Umbrella Learning Academy Cooperative
    • Umbrella Learning Academy is proud to offer a cooperative learning experience for our local homeschool students! This program features a drop-off experience with a mixture of parents and professional educators.  ULA Co-Op offerings differ based on teacher availability. The best way to get involved is to volunteer to teach a class or host a club.
  • Vinea Virtutis Catholic Homeschool Cooperative- new for 2024 information meeting April 14th
  • West Florida Home Education Support League
    • WFHESL is a Christ-centered, family-oriented, volunteer organization established by homeschooling fathers and mothers desiring to help, support, and encourage homeschoolers in Northwest Florida,
      according to Biblical principles.
    • https://www.facebook.com/wfhesl

Santa Rosa- Gulf Breeze, Pace, Milton, Navarre
  • Classical Conversations 
    • Faith-Based, classical. Once a week classes for K-12th grade with various communities throughout the Pensacola area. Classical Conversations employs parents as tutors to lead students through the 15 Tools of Learning as they discover "how to think, not what to think."
  • Cornerstone Cottage Academics
    • Parent led co-operative learning academy that meets in Navarre, Florida.  We are open to like-minded students who desire a Chrisitan worldview and excellence based education.
  • ECCHO (Emerald Coast Christian Homeschool Organization)
    • We are a faith based, Christ centered co-op meeting once a week in Gulf Breeze (by the zoo) for fun electives (kids get to pick three classes each semester) and community. Parent involvement is required.
  • Explorers Homeschool Cooperative 
    • Explorers Homeschool Co-op is a Christian parent-taught co-op that meets from 9:00-12:30 every-other Friday morning during the school year at Woodbine Baptist Church in Pace. Students are grouped by age and may choose the classes that they would like to participate in for each of the periods.
  • Kingdom Builders Co-op
    • The co-op will run 30 weeks starting in September. We will cover history, science, literature/grammar, and an elective that will rotate from 9-12:30 every Monday at Liberty Church (4310 N Spencer Field Rd.). We have plans up to 8th grade currently, but have room to grow. It will be parent led and biblically based.
  • Navarre Homeschool Hangout Co-op
    • For the summer we have casual meet+greets, splash pad and playground excursions, and beach events.  For Aug 10-May 26 you can expect more social/educational field trips and workshops with themes that I have prepared for each week of "the offical school year".  After the summer events, we will be gathering most Fridays at 12:30-2. Free registration, birth to teens.
      To join: Email your name/your child's name/child's ages/and your preferred email to contactangelaraymond@gmail.com
  • NWFL HUB
    • The NWFL HUB is a 100% volunteer led non-profit with tiered resources including public events, this NWFL home education directory, and a private membership base.  Membership provides accesss to field trips and events across the pandhandle.  Thanks to a 2023 VELA GRANT membership is free, though many events have entrance fees, see website for membership link.  The organization provides information, support, and opportunity to all home education families with additional resources availalbe to be used by it's members.  The NWFL HUB exists to connect the home education community to comprehensive information, educational resources, and providers.
  • St. Rose Homeschool Co-op
    • St. Rose Homeschool Co-op St. Rose is a Catholic co-op that meets twice a month at St. Rose Catholic Church in Milton. Parents lead a variety of classes for elementary and middle school aged children. 
    • For more information contact Andrea Cross at andreagracecross@yahoo.com 
  • Sunshine Learners
    • We are a play-based educational co-op that meets in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties (Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Beulah, Navarre, Molino etc). We usually meet at parks to hold our weekly lessons and have free play. We also have lots of field trips throughout the year. Our lessons and field trips are hosted by the mom's in the group. We are solely volunteer-led. The majority of our students are Pre-K through 5th grade.
      This Co-op is an in-person PARTICIPATION based group. We expect the members who join online to show up in person to events on a regular basis. We love building new friendships within our homeschool community!
      If the description of our co-op sounds like it will be a good fit for your family then please answer the three new member questions in order to join.
  • West Florida Home Education Support League
    • WFHESL is a Christ-centered, family-oriented, volunteer organization established by homeschooling fathers and mothers desiring to help, support, and encourage homeschoolers in Northwest Florida,
      according to Biblical principles.
    • https://www.facebook.com/wfhesl

Okaloosa- Destin, Crestview, Niceville, Valparaiso
  • Adventures in Homeschooling-
    • This group started as a homeschool recess planner and will stay true to that purpose. Thank you so much to Tina and all the other awesome parents who founded this group, we wouldn't be here without you. We are here to plan a weekly homeschool recess day at a park in central Okaloosa County.
      We typically meet on Thursdays but subject to change based on weather.
      Our goal going forward is to grow this group into a place where homeschool families can use as a resource for finding homeschool events, network with other families, grow out homeschool community stronger, and of course RECESS!!!
  • Classical Conversations 
    • Faith-Based, classical. Once a week classes for K-12th grade with various communities throughout the Pensacola area. Classical Conversations employs parents as tutors to lead students through the 15 Tools of Learning as they discover "how to think, not what to think."
  • Crestview Christian Co-op
    • This is a homeschooling group is dedicated to creating a Christ Centered Academic Co-Op serving Crestview and surrounding area Homeschooling Families. We believe there is a strong need in our community for this and aim to start our first term Aug/Sep time frame. But there is much to do, God gifted each of us uniquely in order to be a blessing to one another and to our families. We believe that as Christians we continuously strive to do all things to honor God and bring Him glory while at the same time understanding that none are perfect and all need grace. We would like to open this group to any Christian homeschooling family in the local area willing to support these goals even if your not 100% sure if you want to participate.
  • Emerald Coast Co-op
    • The Emerald Coast Co-op is a Christian, parent-led elective co-op. Our goal is to bring homeschoolers together in an inviting and exciting environment. We want our students to make friends and have fun learning together! We meet once a week in Destin, FL.
    • Contact: Victoria
      Email: ECCdestin@outlook.com
  • Inclusive Learning Cooperative
    • Our 501c3's mission is to provide a secular learning environment for children with different abilities to pursue their passions. We create a social environment where students can learn and grow with confidence.
      This is a nonprofit, cooperative effort to provide support among fellow homeschooling families, specializing in supports for children with additional needs! We will collaborate to share themes, short video lessons, story videos, and manipulative ideas. We will share resource links, and provide social opportunities as we learn together! We love providing ideas for leveled activities for all ages and special needs!  public will be duplicated on this page.
  • Logos Homeschool Academy
    • Logos, a homeschool cooperative in Niceville, offering 36 classes for students eleven to eighteen. 
  • Niceville Nature Study
    • This group is a Charlotte Mason inspired approach to nature study. It is interwoven with weekly journaling, walks, poetry recitation, living picture book read-alouds, classical music, art appreciation, and more - all from a Christian perspective. Open to those who are actively homeschooling and currently have at least one child in Kindergarten-4th grade.
      This group meets on Friday mornings at various parks in the Niceville, FL area.
  • NWF Share- local events page for Okaloosa area homeschoolers
  • United Homeschool Co-op
    • United Homeschool Co-op is a group of families who come together to support one another and share in homeschooling their children.  We offer a fun learning environment to supplement the curriculum you are using at home. We are a volunteer, non-profit homeschool organization serving Niceville and the surrounding Gulf Coast communities.
  • Wild Adventures Homeschool Nature Group
    • This is a group for homeschool families in NWFL like outs who enjoy wild adventures and exploring Florida's amazing natural splendor.  We'll have weekly meet-uos at local state parks, lakes, and ponds where we will learn about nature and survival skills. This group is intended for all ages as family-style learning.

Walton- Fort Walton, Freeport
  • Classical Conversations 
    • Faith-Based, classical. Once a week classes for K-12th grade with various communities throughout the Pensacola area. Classical Conversations employs parents as tutors to lead students through the 15 Tools of Learning as they discover "how to think, not what to think."
  • Coastal Homeschool Co-op
    • Homeschool Co-op for the Fort Walton Beach area. Meets Fridays 9:30-11:30 at the Young Philosopher's Society.
  • Fort Walton Christian Academy
    • We are a faith-based group for the panhandle area homeshoolers. Our mission at The Fort Walton Christian Academy is to open doors to help homeschooling families complete the home education journey from early elementary through the high school years with excellence. Whether a family has been homeschooling for years, or is considering homeschooling for the first time, we want to help.
  • Freeport Homeschool Cooperative
    • We are not a drop-off and parents are needed to help teach classes. We aim to have pairs of teachers for each class for assistance and in case someone is absent, etc. (You’re not in this alone!)
      📚 We cover history/geography, science, and an elective.
      🗓 We meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 9-12 in Freeport. You can come one or both days. Tuesdays will be history, science, and an elective. Thursdays will be geography, science, and an elective.
      🍎 We split our kiddos into elementary and middle school. You can choose what works best for your child. We don’t have strict age or grade limits.
      🤝 We do not have a statement of faith nor teach from any specific faith. We aim to be all-inclusive. We believe religion is a family matter and it is not our place to teach in any direction.
  • Secular Homeschool Meetup
    • Secular homeschool group meeting at the Fort Walton Beach Library.  For 2022 Monday meetups at 1 pm: Artful August, learning about different art mediums each week; Science September, studying a new aspect of science each week; Oceanography October, diving into our local landscape and learning about the big blue world; Nature and Native November; getting acquainted with the nature of our environment and the native history and culture of our past present and future; and  December we will have a fun holiday craft.
      This group is not a paid co op, it is free and open to any homeschool family but RSVP is required even up to 30 min prior to ensure enough materials for all the attendees. Most materials are supplied at the cost of the organizer, but participant supply sharing is welcomed.  Messenger Contact: Bobbie Sue Breaux  
  • T.O.R.C.H.
    • T.O.R.C.H. (Traditions of Roman Catholic Homes) is an association of lay faithful established to support Catholic homeschooling families living in Walton County, Florida. Most events take place within the areas of Freeport, Santa Rosa Beach, and Defuniak Springs. 

Hurlburt Field
  • Panhandle Christian Home Educators
    • The Panhandle Christian Home Educators are a group that has decided to answer that call and help build our Christian homeschool community right here at Hurlburt Field. We have worked with the chapel to set days and hours where homeschoolers can drop in for fellowship over coffee or for more specific interests when someone in our community offers a class for us based on their interests and hobbies. It is our prayer that this group offers talents, friends, community, and communion that would not easily be replicated without these resources to help our base as a whole have more resilient homeschool families that are successful both at home and later on in life.
    • For more info contact: panhandleche@gmail.com 

Bay County