Branches FAQs

What is Branches?

Branches is a homeschool co-op community that offers academic and enrichment classes, sports activities and clubs, once a week to families in the metro Phoenix area. We also seek to create a close knit community where families feel they belong and are supported. We do this through a co-op (cooperative) model, where each family contributes in some way.

How do I pay Branches through Direct Pay in Class Wallet?

Direct Pay in Class Wallet is only for Class Fees and Memberhsip Fees. Please pay all other events directly through your campus website. You must ONLY the following VENDOR ACCOUNT: Branches Homeschool Community, Inc - All Campuses

How do I create a consolidated invoice to upload to Vendor Pay in Class Wallet?

Login to the website.
Navigate to your Accounting Page by clicking on your balance at the top of the homepage (in mobile it looks like a credit card).
Click on Invoice and Payment Details.
In the Invoice Summary Section, check the box next to the individual invoices you want to appear on your consolidated invoice. Make sure these invoices have not already been paid or refunded. If an invoice has been refunded because the class was cancelled before the deadline, you will see "ADJ" in the "Paid?" column. For registration fees there will only be one invoice per student, but for class fees there will be one individual invoice for each class.
Once all invoices have been selected, click "Create Consolidated or Printable Invoice" at the top of your statement. This groups the invoices you chose together.
You will now see a new consolidated invoice number next to an arrow above each individual invoice you chose. Click the arrow to open the invoice in a new tab. (You might need to turn off your pop-up blocker.)
If you chose individual invoices for multiple students, their invoices will be on separate pages. Scroll down to see them.
Print or save each invoice individually so that you have one per student to upload into Vendor Pay in Class Wallet.
If you need to unconsolidate the invoices, click the recycle icon to break them apart again.
If you are paying registration fees late, you might have to choose "Prior Year" from the Fiscal Year dropdown to see unpaid invoices from the prior year.

How do I submit payment through Class Wallet once I have my consolidated invoice?

In the Direct Pay section of Class Wallet, choose "Branches Homeschool Community – All Campuses" and upload the invoice you created above. The AI tool will pull in the information from the invoice. Note that "User Name" is your student's name.
For each line under Direct Pay Details, choose "Tutoring and teaching services – Accredited Facility/Business" for the category and "Arizona – ESA" for the purse.
Make sure the Total Amount field in Class Wallet matches what you owe Branches on the invoice.
If you get the error "You must complete all required fields" and don't see anything blank, the AI-pulled descriptions may be too long. Try shortening the item description fields to continue.
Once you've submitted your payment request, it takes about one week for the payment to reflect on the website, since we must wait until the funds are deposited into the Branches bank account.
If you make a mistake, such as paying under the wrong student account, contact Class Wallet right away to see if you can cancel the payment. If it's too late to cancel, email melissa@branchessurprise.org with your student's name, order number, and payment amount that needs to be refunded. Note that it can take a month or two for funds to be returned to your account, since they need to be refunded via check mailed to the ADE.

What is a homeschool co-op?

A homeschool co-op (or cooperative) is a group of families that come together one day a week and pool their resources to offer classes, both academic and enrichment, to children of all ages. By joining with other homeschooling families, responsibilities can be divided up and shared amongst the group. Costs are low for parent-led classes and are higher for vendor paid classes. Parents share expertise and resources with each other. Friendships are formed at the co-op and encouragement is readily available.

Why join a homeschool co-op?

Growing at a tremendous rate, there is estimated to be 40,000 homeschooled children in Arizona. The need for homeschool community co-ops has never been higher. Isolation is one of the biggest problems for homeschool moms and their children. By creating Branches, we hope to connect homeschool families to a support system and a local church.

When and where does Branches meet?

Branches meets on Fridays, in Glendale near 55th Ave and Cactus for two 13 week semesters throughout the year. Classes go from 9am-noon, with lunch from 12 to 1. We each sign up to clean several times a semester at the end of lunch to about 1:15 pm.

What type of classes does Branches offer?

Branches offers a variety of academic and enrichment classes. Most classes are taught by community parents, but we do have a few specialized classes taught by outside instructors. See the Class Registration link for a tentative class schedule. These classes will change over time based on the talents of our members.

What are the costs involved in joining Branches?

We charge a yearly membership fee based on the age of your child and the half-day offering at our location. This amount helps cover our fixed expenses, including the website and insurance.. Membership fees are $50 per year for children ages 3–6 and $100 per year for children ages 7–18. These amounts are charged per child, per semester.

The classes we offer range in price depending on who will be teaching them, plus a fixed Facilities Fee of $10 per class. Classes taught by outside teachers are higher, ranging from $60–$300 for a 13-week semester depending on what they charge us. Classes taught by our members are lower and cover only the material fees, ranging from $5–$100 depending on the class.

What is the refund policy?

Membership Fee Policy

Because our community operates on a lean and immediate-use budget, we are unable to offer refunds for membership fees once payment has been made. These funds are allocated right away to support essential operations, including facility costs, materials, and teacher stipends.

Membership represents a commitment - not just to the organization, but to the families, volunteers, and educators who plan and prepare based on enrollment numbers. Supplies are purchased, schedules are finalized, and contracted team members are compensated in advance.

We ask that all members consider this policy carefully before submitting payment, as it reflects our shared responsibility to steward resources wisely and honor the commitments we make to one another.

Class Fee Policy

Because Branches is on a very tight budget (money comes in and goes out almost immediately), we cannot offer refunds for classes within two weeks of the start of Branches. Non-paid teacher families purchase supplies based on the number of children enrolled in their classes. Contracted teachers are paid for the entire semester on the first day of classes.

How do I contribute my talents to this co-op?

The way we contribute is to sign up for "jobs." Once you are a member you can sign up for these jobs through the website during registration. See the Class Registration link for examples. We are always looking for teachers who love God and love to teach! If you are interested in teaching a class, please fill out a teacher application and submit a class proposal through the website. Watch the calendar for due dates which are typically November and April.

Required Job Credits:

Families attending 1 class period = 2 credit minimum
Families attending 2 class periods = 4 credit minimum
Families attending 3 class periods = 6 credit minimum
Families attending 4 class periods = 8 credit minimum

1 Credit	2 Credits	3 Credits	6 credits
Security (Half Period)	Class Helpers and Floaters	Teachers	Teachers for Morning Mini - Branches
Substitute Cleaning or Set-Up	Snack Bar Helpers	Snackbar Set-Up or Tear-Down
Prayer Team	Event Planners	Archery Set Up	Directors
Special Day Planner

How do I sign up for classes and parent "jobs?"

You sign up for classes for your children and parent jobs the same way. See the Class Registration Page for a tentative schedule. After you are a member you will be notified about the registration process via email. You pay for these classes through PayPal.

Does my family need to stay all day?

No, your family does not need to stay all day. However, staying all day will be much more fun! During lunch we have marketplace days, parties and special game days. Also note that the classes for Mini Branches (6yo and younger) in the morning are for the full 3 periods therefore the cost is not pro-rated AND your mini will have to leave in the middle of a fun activitiy if they are not there all morning.

Is it possible for me to leave campus if I have a doctor's appointment, special errand, or other unusual situation that comes up during my "free period?"

Yes. As long as you have a responsible friend who is caring and keeping track of your children, you can leave campus during your free time. A Temporary Guardianship Form must be completed and turned into the Snackbar. Keep in mind that this really should be the exception, not the rule. The purpose of Branches is to create a community of families who really get to know each other. This can only happen if we stay on campus and spend time together.