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Yes, Heritage Home Educators’ Association is an interdenominational Christian group striving to honor our Lord Jesus Christ in all we say and do. We promote respect, integrity, honor and excellence to the glory of God.

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No, you do not; we have some non-Christian members. We are committed to respect and honor all people who join us. Please understand, however, that we will not modify our beliefs and practices because of the presence of non-Christian members.

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At Heritage Home Educators’ Association, our MISSION is:

• To provide excellent and affordable academic and enrichment classes to all homeschooled children from Nursery to High School.
• To foster a sense of community within the group by serving together and sharing life with one another both inside and outside the co-op.
• To train children to be leaders and servers by offering leadership classes and community service opportunities.
• To empower parents to homeschool with confidence.
• To be a center where families can supplement their home education through academic and enrichment classes at a fraction of the cost.
• To be a community of people willing to use their God given gifts, talents and skills to help and serve others within the group and in our local communities.
• To be a place where parents can find support and encouragement through prayer, enrichment classes, workshops and mentoring.
• To be a community where God honoring relationships are built and God’s love is shown to all members, Christians and non-Christians alike.
• To be a group of people dedicated to excellence to the glory of God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Our teachers are our parents.  We tap into our parents’ previous educational background, work experience, passions, hobbies and life experiences as we try to find a class that fits well with their skill set.  Parents are not paid.  Teaching is part of the co-op service requirement. We also have professional teachers come in to teach classes that are in demand when we cannot find a parent to teach the class.

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Every parent is required to stay the whole time their kids are at co-op unless your child is a high-school student enrolled in the Drop-off Program. We value your contribution and your availability to be there to deal with any potential issues; health, disciplinary or emergencies that may arise involving your child. Parents may leave their older elementary or MS/HS students with a parent in charge if they must leave the building for some reason, but not as a regular practice. No pre-elementary students may be left by the parent on the premises at any time.

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It may take a little adjustment to doing so in a classroom setting; nevertheless, we have parents who are willing to come alongside you to help you plan your classes and give you tips on how to handle a classroom of students.

Our co-op exists because of parents who are willing to teach, so this willingness will be considered highly during the application process and interview.  However, we do understand that new home schoolers or moms who have just given birth may find teaching overwhelming the first year.  We will consider these circumstances, and others as they arise, and make adjustments as necessary.  Know that eventually you will be required to teach.

We make every effort to match parents with a class that fits their area of giftedness.

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We meet on Mondays at NorthRidge Church in Plymouth, MI.  Heritage meets for two 14-week semesters during the academic year.  We take a winter break from mid-December through January, and a week off at Easter.  However, some high school classes may meet outside of these dates if teachers find the need to cover more material that cannot be covered during the co-op’s regular session.

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Heritage Fees

• New member application fee: $25 (non-refundable)
• Expedited Processing fee after deadline to be included in pre-registration: $25 (non-refundable)
• Annual Family Registration fee: $65 (non-refundable)
• Annual student participation fee: $42/child (maximum of 4 student fees per family)
• Drop-off Program fee: $750/year per student on top of the family registration and student fee that all members pay

These fees cover administrative costs such as liability insurance and co-op supplies, not the cost of classes.

Class fees vary and are charged separately from the registration fee.  Class fees are listed in the course descriptions that come out roughly 1-2 weeks before class sign-up, and are paid before the semester begins.

Class fees may include the following:

• Materials fee – cost of materials expected to be used during the duration of the class.
• Tuition fee – fee charged by professional instructors.
• Parent taught classes charge a materials fee only.
• Professional classes charge both a tuition fee and materials fee. Professional classes vary and are comparable to the rates you would pay for similar group lessons at private studios or for tutors.

Materials fees range from $10 for elective classes up to $50 for High School Science and Fine Art classes

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We offer a full schedule of academic and enrichment classes for children from Elementary through High School.  We also offer Nursery and Preschool programs for younger siblings of our K-12 students.  Please visit the Class Catalog for a schedule of what we’re currently offering.  

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Classes are taught in a 2-3 year rotation depending on subject.

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Heritage does offer a limited drop-off option for high school students who would like to attend Heritage classes without an onsite teaching parent.  Additional fees of $750/year per student apply, in addition to the family, student, and individual class fees all members pay. The parent(s) will also be expected to perform an annual service job (to be chosen later). Availability of drop-off student slots is determined each year based on overall registration and availability of teachers to cover classes, and is not guaranteed from year to year.  Please complete a campus visit registration to have your student(s) considered for participation in the drop-off program. After a campus visit, and if it is determined that there is space, you will be emailed an application

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We understand social connections are very important to home schoolers. Heritage offers many social opportunities in and outside classes including drama and choir performances, bonfires, field trips, park days, spirit day, holiday secret friends, field day, graduation ceremony and an end of semester showcase where students are given the opportunity to share what they have learned during the semester. 

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All of our elementary classrooms are nut free.  Leadership is willing to work with families with contact and airborne allergies to keep families safe. Hand washing is encouraged after lunch to help keep this policy in place.

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Parents are able to indicate interest in middle or high school classes that they would like to be assigned to as an assistant. We also encourage fellowship during lunch and in times that are not assigned and to attend Moms’ Fellowship Night and Members’ Night for some social time. We also have a moms’ fellowship area at co-op where moms can gather each week during their free hours. Heritage Home Educators’ Association is a busy place when classes are in session. Joining Heritage primarily for support for yourself may leave you disappointed.  However, it is a good place to meet homeschooling parents; and as you reach out and serve with other members, you will have the opportunity to build authentic relationships and lasting friendships.

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Applying to Heritage

APPLY FOR 2025-26 ACADEMIC YEAR  Heritage functions on an academic year schedule and processes applications only in the spring for the upcoming year. The first step to complete in joining Heritage is to attend a Campus Visit.  You can register for our Campus Visits in Feburary here: CAMPUS VISIT REGISTRATION

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Feb. 10 and 24, 2025: Campus Visit at NorthRidge Church in Plymouth

March 10, 2025: Application Deadline for 2025-26 Academic Year

May 9, 2025: New Member and Teacher Orientation

Mid-May, 2025: Registration for Fall classes for new members

June 2, 2025: Field Day at Kensington Metropark (first installment payments due)

STEPS TO HERITAGE MEMBERSHIP:

Step 1: Attend a Campus Visit.  Our Campus Visits are held in February each year. Because of the disruption it causes for our current classes, we do not schedule visits outside of these Campus Visit events.  Please check back with us for next year's Campus Visit dates.

Step 2: Submit an online application with the $25 application fee and complete a background check form with your teaching skills and interests by March 14, 2025. Please complete a background check form for each adult who will be on campus regularly.  Applications received beyond the deadline will be assessed an additional $25 expedited processing fee to be prepared in time to participate in pre-registration in May, as space allows.  All fees submitted are non-refundable.

Step 3:  Discuss your potential teaching interests and possible placement options with our Welcome Team and Grade Level Coordinators (GLCs).

Step 4: Receive and accept offer of co-op membership and teaching assignment

Step 5: Fill out legal forms/waivers online and submit with $65 Family Registration Fee

Step 6: After legal forms and registration fee have been received, you will receive information regarding how to register for classes and how to sign up for a service job

Step 7: Participate in pre-registration for Fall classes in mid to late May.

Step 8: Attend Heritage Field Day in June, where you will meet current Heritage members and make your first installment payment — Student Participation Fees, Copy Fees, Drop Off Program fees (if applicable), and first 1/3 installment of class materials fees.  Subsequent payments are due in August and November.

Step 9: Attend Fall Kickoff, Facility Orientation, and Building Security Meeting in the fall

NOTE:  All fees listed here are non-refundable once paid.

*** Please do NOT contact or mail any checks or other communication directly to our host facility, as we are not a ministry of the church. Our mailing address will be provided if necessary when your application is approved.