Berean Co-op Berean Co-op
 

FAQs



Q:

What are the eligibility requirements for this co-op?

A:

Families must have at least one child who is at least seven years old and in second grade by December 31st. Full participation is required. A parent must be able to remain on campus for the duration of the co-op day on Wednesdays and work as a teacher or class helper.  All students must also remain on campus for the duration of the co-op day on Wednesdays.

Q:

When and where does the co-op meet?

A:

We meet during the school year at a Woodlawn Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. All ages meet on Wednesdays 9:00-2:15, and select classes also meet on Mondays.

Q:

How much does the co-op cost?

A:

Although subject to change as needed, the annual family fee is $325+ $15 per person (including adults).  Other costs include a class enrollment fee of $75 per family, books and supplies, lab/activity costs (e.g., field trips), and fees for certain classes. Financial costs are kept at a minimum because the real cost for every member is their commitment, time, and effort to make this co-operative organization run effectively.

Q:

How do I apply for membership?

A:

Click Co-op Application to apply. A $25 non-refundable application fee is required. You will be placed on the waiting list unless the co-op has an immediate teaching need that you can fill.

Q:

Can I drop off my children for classes?

A:

No.  This is not a drop-off program.  A parent must stay on campus and teach or help in classes they are assigned to. Being a part of a co-operative organization means everyone pulls their own weight to maintain a successful program.

The exception is that if your children are taking 2-day classes, you may drop them off on Mondays. These classes have an additional cost associated with them because we compensate the teachers for their extra teaching time.

Q:

Can I enroll students that are not my children in the case that I am homeschooling or babysitting children from other families?

A:

No.  Parents (or guardians or homeschooling grandparents) are only allowed to enroll their own children for co-op.

Q:

Does the co-op have programs for children who are not of school age yet?

A:

Yes.  We have a nursery, preschool, Kindergarten, and a first grade class.  However, members must have at least one child in second grade or above to join the co-op.

Q:

Is this a religious organization?

A:

We are a collection of families from a variety of Christian denominations.  We do not have a statement of faith that members are required to adhere to, as our purpose is to support each other in our homeschool endeavors without focusing on specific beliefs or worship styles.  However, you will find an environment of faith and a Biblical Christian worldview in our classes and activities.

Q:

How many members does the co-op have?

A:

We maintain a membership of 100+ families.  We typically have 75-85 high school students and 150-175 students in nursery through 8th grade.

Q:

Does the co-op have a waiting list?

A:

Yes.  We add new applicants to the waiting list.  We only add new members before the school year begins, not during the school year.  The number of families we can add depends on the number of families not returning for the next school year.

Q:

Can a mother stay with her young children all day?

A:

Parents with babies are usually assigned some time in the nursery, but in most cases they work in other classrooms as well without their babies or preschoolers since this is a distraction in the classroom and prohibits the mother from being fully engaged.  If a child has separation anxiety or a mother is not comfortable leaving her child in the nursery or preschool, the family should wait to join co-op until this is no longer a factor.

Q:

Does the co-op accommodate special needs children?

A:

The co-op is staffed by parent volunteers.  Generally they are not trained or equipped to teach students with special needs. For this reason, it is not appropriate for the co-op to enroll autistic spectrum children, children with Down's Syndrome, or any conditions which can cause disruptions in the classroom.

Q:

Does the co-op offer a complete curriculum?

A:

Families can choose to put together classes to form a core curriculum for their children, take a full slate of enrichment classes, or anywhere in between.  It's cafeteria style.

Q:

What kinds of classes does the co-op conduct?

A:

Our co-op parents bring their talents to the group and offer an array of academic and enrichment classes from history, science, math, English, and foreign languages to art, music, photography, cooking, PE, and more.

Q:

What does a typical co-op day look like?

A:

Wednesday starts out with an assembly for devotions and announcements, then the students head to their first class. There are 5 class periods for Lower School students and 4 class periods for High School students. We have a mid-day lunch break as well.

Monday has 4 class periods, and students are only required to attend during periods when they are signed up for a class.

Parents teach and help in classes all day on Wednesday, but everyone gets some time off to grab coffee and snacks and socialize in the parent lounge.

Q:

Are there special activities besides classes?

A:

Yes! During co-op we have theme dress-up days, class performances, Christmas gift exchange, Valentines card exchange, an Easter egg hunt, and senior recognition day.

Outside of co-op, volunteers plan a variety of field trips, middle school parties, and high school dances.

We also have occasional parents' nights out.