Support Groups
Homeschoolers have created networks of support to provide a way to make friends, get ideas and information, and to offer positive socialization opportunties to their children. You can join in! There are many groups to choose from, many with specific affiliations, like Christian groups or unschoolers' groups. Some are eclectic, inclusive, and open to anyone. Whatever your interest, you are sure to find other like-minded parents. And if you don't find what you are looking for, we've put together tips for starting your own group.
Local & State Groups
Support groups offer a way for those interested in homeschooling or new to home education to get information and support. They also offer opportunities for social activities, group learning, and networking. Find a support group near you in Washington.
National Groups
Tap into the national homeschool movement by connecting with these national homeschool groups and support organizations.
Social Media
Connect with other homeschooling using social networking tools. You can share tips and ideas, get support, collaborate on lesson plans, upload photos, and much more.
Co-Ops
A co-op offers a way to share teaching duties with others who are excited and knowledgeable about a subject. It also offers an opportunity for your children to learn in a group and to make friends. Browse through this list of co-ops in Washington.
Umbrella/Cover Schools
An umbrella or cover school provides an alternative way for parents to fulfill governmental educational guidelines and requirements. Most offer a variety of services, which can include curricula, social activities, field trips, standardized testing, portfolio reviews, evaluations, and graduation materials, including diplomas. While umbrella schools do tend to the needs of homeschoolers, they are considered a type of private school in most states.
Resource Centers
Homeschool resource centers offer classes, materials, field trips, and other activities for parents and children alike. They are great ways to get new information, engage in group activities, and network with other homeschoolers.
Public School Programs
Public schools are increasing offering programs to appeal to homeschooling families, from classes to educational materials to computer and distance learning. In most cases, students enrolled in these programs are considered public school students rather than homeschoolers. Learn more about these programs and decide if these are right for your family.
Group Management
Learn how to start and manage a homeschool support group, including how to stay organized, how to handle conflict, and ideas for your support group.
What's Popular
Lower Columbia Connect
This group is primarily a homeschooling group for swing-shift/graveyard parents and children both sides of the Columbia River who home educate in the Lower Columbia Area. They welcome all homeschoolers for homeschooling chat and week discussions. This group is made up of eclectic and relaxed homeschoolers.
Open Minded Homeschoolers In Kitsap
This is a group for the open minded homeschooler in Kitsap County on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington. This list is for encouragement, support, and friendly chatter. It is open to anyone who is homeschooling or considering homeschooling. This group encourages those homeschooling independently, those using prepared curriculm, as well as those associated with or taking part with the school districts.
Home School Harmony
Home School Harmony is a group of home school families that have come together with all our talents,
knowledge and resources to provide an environment of encouragement and support
for one another. They are located in Washington State in Cowlitz county. The areas closest to them are Castle Rock,
Longview, Kelso, Kalama, Toutle, Winlock and Lexington.
Lewis County Learning Center
Lewis County Learning Center, is a branch of a state approved private school Academy Northwest/Family Academy. They also offer additional services including, Educational Consulting, Academic Advising, Achievement Testing, Non-Test Assessments, Learning Style Analysis, Parent Qualifying Classes and Junior High and Senior High Learning Centers.
CMers in Kitsap
This group is a networking resource for homeschoolers in the Kitsap County, WA area who are using the Charlotte Mason method.
Yakima Homeschoolers
This group is for Yakima homeschoolers to instantly connect with eachother. This email forum is used to notify each other of community events, network with other families, plan last-minute field trips and social gatherings. Membership is open to homeschooling families who are living in the Yakima area.
Washington Secular Home Schoolers
This is a list for Washington state secular home schoolers, parents who have decided to homeschool for non-religious reasons.
Teaching Parents Association
Teaching Parents Association is a nonprofit association of members who, regardless of race, religious beliefs, or teaching styles, join together to support homeschooling parents, children and community members. They offer parent support meetings, field trips, park days, and clubs for children.
Granite Falls Homeschoolers
This is an eclectic group that welcomes all homeschoolers. Offers support and activities for homeschoolers in the Granite Falls area of Washington.
Edmonds Heights K-12 (Edmonds Homeschool Resource Center)
23200-100th Ave W
Edmonds, Wa 98020
Phone: 425-431-7840
Edmonds Heights K-12 recognizes the parent as the primary teacher and works as a resource to the family to insure a high quality learning experience for each child consistent with the expectations of the student’s family and the Essential Learning’s established by the state Commission on Student Learning. They operate as an alternative school under WAC 392-121-182 Alternative Learning Experience Requirements and are a K-12 program des...
Trestle Homeschool Association’s (THA)
THA is one of the oldest homeschool support groups in the area. It has been around since 1985 and exists to provide support to homeschoolers in the Everett, Washington area and its surrounding communities. Most of the members reside in the Snohomish County area.
Spokane Homeschoolers—Homeschoolers of the Inland Empire
Spokane Homeschoolers is an inclusive group of the parents of homeschooling families in the Eastern Washington/North Idaho area surrounding Spokane.
Turning Point Community Church Home School Cooperative
Turning Point Ministries Homeschool Co-op exists to partner with parents by providing an alternative atmosphere for Christ-centered growth. Emphasis is placed on developing excellence in character, academics, and relationships.
The Washington Home Education Network (WHEN)
Since the early to mid 1990s the Washington Home Education Network (WHEN)has been for those interested in homeschooling in Washington state, particularly legislative news and discussion.
WHEN welcomes Home-based Instruction as well as Parent Partnered or other public school families. There is a wealth of resources families can share and benefit from as well as legislation and policies related to both choices. WHEN supports the laws which distinguishes between these programs and Home-based In...
Life Education Activity Resource Network (LEARN)
LEARN is an inclusive non-profit homeschool support group in the South Puget Sound region of Washington State. While most LEARN members live in Thurston County, they also have members in Pierce, Mason, Grays Harbor, and Lewis Counties. Its purpose is to offer member families quality opportunities to augment their own educational efforts on a cooperative basis. LEARN offers field trips, a newsletter, shared (co-op) activities, mom's meetings, used curriculum sales, and more.
Featured Resources
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The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child: Your Complete Guide to Getting Off to the Right Start
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Homeschooling 101: A Guide to Getting Started
Homeschooling 101 gives you the steps to help you get started on your homeschool journey. This guide lays out how to get started, choose and gather curriculum, scheduling, organizing your home, and finding the joy in homeschooling. This book is perfe...
Home Schooling from Scratch : Simple Living, Super Learning
Parents learn what they really need, how to find or create materials and opportunities for less money, and how to organize their household for economical, happy learning.
Educational Travel on a Shoestring : Frugal Family Fun and Learning Away from Home
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