FAQs

How is Friday Co-op run?

Friday Co-op has a leadership board of seven individuals.  There is a set of bylaws that govern both the board and the organization.  Each member family will have a parent that participates every week of co-op by teaching and other volunteer activities to help co-op run smoothly (coffee duty, hall monitor, lunch clean up, closing duties, playground supervisor, etc.). Each family is expected to offer to teach a class each semester, but you won’t find out if your class "makes" until the students’ votes have been tallied. The main exception to that rule is new families are not expected to lead-teach the first semester, so that they can become familiar with Co-op. Other exceptions would be on a case-by-case basis (e.g., new baby, illness, job loss, etc.). 

Is the co-op religious?

No. The co-op is secular and includes families of all beliefs.

Is everyone who applies admitted automatically?

No. The leadership board will review all applications and call references, then decide which families can meet our age group needs. We are recruiting 30-40 kids, but plan on expanding each year. Please ensure you have notified your references and they are available for a phone call; we will not admit families without reference calls.

What kinds of classes are offered?

That all depends on what the parents want to teach and what the children want to learn. The students vote on the most popular class ideas and we make the schedule from the results each semester. It changes from semester to semester, but there is usually a good mix of science, history, arts, and literature/writing. There are often also classes on life skills, cooking, philosophy, and just plain fun. There aren't any hard and fast rules as to what’s acceptable. There are many other religious co-ops available in the homeschooling community, and we maintain our secular status as an alternative to those co-ops. Remember that some of our families come to our co-op precisely because it is secular, and we strive to assure that all members of our co-op “family” feel connected and included.  

See examples of previous classes offered here: Past Classes

How do I know what to offer to teach?

Ask your kids what they want to learn. Or offer something that you've always wanted to teach but your own kids have had no interest in.

How are the classes decided?

The Fall 2023 schedule will be pre-set. Starting Spring 2024, the children submit and vote on their three or four favorite classes, the votes are weighted, and the classes with the most points are offered.

What does a typical day look like?

The typical day lasts from 10 until 2 with three classes that are an hour long.

10:00 Setup / Volunteer Job

10:25am  Morning Announcements

10:30am-11:30am 1st Period

11:30-12:30pm Lunch

12:30pm - 1:30pm 2nd Period

1:30pm - 2:00pm Cleanup / Volunteer Job

How long are the classes?

Each class is 1 hour long (though teen classes sometimes run 2 hrs).

Is there lunch?

Lunch is one hour between the first and second period classes. Lunch is where all the social stuff happens! For many, that’s the most enjoyable part of the day, because parents get to catch up with friends they see only once a week and kids get to play just for fun. You bring your own lunch. 

What ages can attend Friday Co-op?

The co-op accommodates all ages, but one child in the family must be 5 or older. Babies and toddlers usually stay with their parent, so those children would be in a class with similarly-aged kids, and the parents would be the volunteers in that classroom. There is always at least one class per period for age-appropriate activities for the littlest ones (music, crafts, etc.) and for preschoolers as well.

Why does at least one member of each family need to be at least 5 years old?

In the early years, families would come to Co-op and their young kids would develop close friendships, and then the oldest child would hit 5 and disappear to kindergarten. The co-op actively worked very hard to establish a strong bond between families—a Co-op "family," if you will, which still exists today—so it was distressing to the children when their friends disappeared. The parents then in Co-op decided that they wanted families that were committed to homeschooling. Thus, the age requirement. 

Can I join if I have a newborn or toddler?

Yes, the whole family is welcome at Co-op. And no, you don’t have to find childcare for your younger children. Please know that the parents who make up the co-op are committed to providing a place for the whole family. We have had lots of families with new babies that found Co-op to be a real benefit to their lives, since they have a place to go for a full day where their other children are happy, stimulated, and occupied and the mom can actually breathe and focus on her baby. 

Are there teens at co-op?

Yes. The families that make up Co-op change a bit from year to year, so the ages of the students change as well. There is no way to know exactly how many teens there will be and what their ages are until the final count for the semester is made. Often that comes just a short time before Co-op starts.  

Is it a drop-off?

No. 

When can I apply to Friday Co-op?

The application period for families is generally in April for the following fall semester.  On occasion, we may have an additional application period in November for the January semester if there is a need for new families mid-year.  Friday Co-op receives many, many more applications than we can accommodate and limiting the time frame for accepting applications is one way we keep it manageable for our volunteers.  

How much does it cost?

It changes from year to year, depending on how much the classes will require to teach. For instance, a philosophy class may require no money, while a photography class may need $30 per student. The cost is per family (no matter how many children) per semester, and it always ends up being quite reasonable, considering how many hours the kids are actually being taught. Usually the cost is between $175 and $200 per family per semester.

What are the expectations for attendance?

All members are required to attend for 10 weeks of classes and Demo Day each semester.  Exceptions are made for illnesses and family emergencies.  

How do members communicate?

All members of Friday Co-op are required to join the online discussion google group. This group is private, so the postings and information of the members are not available to web searchers. 

What is Demo Day?

Demo Day is the last meeting (11th week) each the spring semester.  On this day we set up table displays to show off what we have done & learned in the classes and certain classes make presentations or performances.  Relatives, friends, and those interested in what Friday Co-op is all about are invited to visit on that day, meet our members, and ask questions.