Arkansas Homeschool Groups & Co-ops
Once you’ve made the decision to homeschool, one of your next steps should be to reach out and find a local support system of parents and students who have also chosen this unique educational option. On this page, you will discover some of the active support groups around the Natural State, learn about a unique outgrowth of homeschool support groups—homeschool co-ops, and will find out the upsides of joining one of these support systems.
Arkansas Homeschool Groups
Connecting with other homeschooling families in Arkansas can make the home education experience richer for both parents and students. Not only will it open up a source of information on the ins and outs of homeschooling in Arkansas, but it can be your “hub” for enrichment activities such as group educational day trips in Arkansas, subject-specific clubs, physical education opportunities, and academic competitions.
Within a state catering to so many homeschoolers, it’s also likely that there will be some local support groups that have formed around specific commonalities such as groups just for secular homeschoolers, groups catering to specific homeschool styles, or groups geared to those homeschooling specific age levels.
When looking for a local support group near you, you can utilize your favorite search engine, ask other homeschooling families you know, or search by your town or region on Facebook. Below is a list of some local homeschool support groups in Arkansas. Use this list as a starting point to find a group close to you.
Arkansas Homeschool Co-ops
Sometimes, a group of homeschool families living in a similar locality decide to cooperate together in specific educational pursuits. This will often lead to the organization of a homeschool cooperative–or “co-op,” for short. Homeschool co-ops can fill a gap for families who might want their child to experience physical education, lab science, public speaking, and other activities that are traditionally group-oriented.
An example of a homeschool co-op in Arkansas is Little Rock Homeschool Academy. This one-day-a-week program for 3rd grade through high school is tuition based and uses paid teachers to help with supplemental class options. Not every co-op operates this way, however. Many times, parents simply take turns with teaching responsibilities, or offer to teach sessions that match their skill set.
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Benefits of Joining a Homeschool Group or Co-op
When you ask families what has most inspired their decision to continue with homeschooling, they will often give a similar response: SUPPORT. Having the opportunity to connect with other families who’ve made the choice to homeschool can be empowering. Getting advice from other parents in your state or local area who have already carved a path in the homeschooling world can keep you motivated and make you aware of some of the potential pitfalls.
In addition to support, though, there are so many other perks of being involved in social groups for homeschoolers, including:
- Group field trips
- Park days and/or p.e. days
- Organized clubs such as geography club, 4H, chess, robotics, etc.
- Book and curriculum exchanges
- Dedicated email loops or Facebook groups for sharing information
- Organized athletic opportunities
- The opportunity to make new friends!!
Additional Resources for Homeschooling in Arkansas
Have other questions about homeschooling in Arkansas? You may find the following pages helpful.
