FAQs
Membership & Fees
Q: |
Who can join SOCCO? |
A: |
Families are eligible to join if they are home educating all of their children from a Biblical worldview and either file a California Private School Affidavit (PSA) or use a private school program to file the Private School Affidavit (PSA). Please read our complete membership policy under What is SOCCO at the left side of our home page. |
Q: |
What are SOCCO's fees? |
A: |
SOCCO's membership fees are $20 per year per family. Field trips, classes, and other events may have seperate fees and participation is optional. The only fees collected through SOCCO are the once a year membership fee. All other fees are paid directly to the teacher or event organizer. Class fees are minimal and generally are a low material fee or a curriculum fee when needed. |
Q: |
What are membership fees used for? |
A: |
The $20 per year per family membership fee is used to pay for our website, for SOCCO's membership to Christian Home Educators of America (CHEA), and for various other costs that support the group. |
Q: |
When does membership begin and end? |
A: |
Membership begins on September 1 of each year and runs through August 31. The membership fees are the same no matter when you join during the year. However, first time new members may join in the summer at no charge. |
Q: |
Can I try SOCCO before I join? |
A: |
Yes, you are welcome to try visit us for a park day or a class or other event to see if SOCCO is a good fit for your family. We encourage you to come and ask questions to get to know what our group is about and meet our families. In addition, SOCCO is free to new members in the summer. Please click Contact at the top right of this page or on the Home page to connect with someone by email and set-up a visit. |
Q: |
What are SOCCO's policies? |
A: |
All of SOCCO's policies & statements are available under th About SOCCO section of our website or by clicking the Handbook in the same section. Please read this section thoroughly to see if we are what you are looking for. |
Q: |
How do members communicate? |
A: |
The website you are viewing is the public side used to provide information to our potential members. Once you become a member, you have access to the private side of this website with full details on the group including exactly where and when we meet, member names, the forum, and class registration. Our communication is carried out through our private website. You are welcome to contact us for more details and to set up a visit. |
Our Members
Q: |
What ages of children do you have in your group? |
A: |
We have all ages in the group from babies through high schoolers. We make an effort to offer classes and activities that fit the range of the children in the group. We meet in families so all ages interact with all other ages at many of our events. |
Q: |
How many families are in SOCCO? |
A: |
We have around 35 - 40 families each year in SOCCO. |
Q: |
Where do our members live? |
A: |
SOCCO families live all over Orange County from as far north as Corona and as far south as Dana Point. Although our name includes South Orange County, many families have joined from all over the county in the last decade and we have adapted to accomodate all our families as needed. |
Classes & Activities
Q: |
Do you have classes? |
A: |
Yes, we have co-op classes on Fridays. Our classes are designed to be supplemental to what you are teaching at home. Our class schedule is available to view on the Classes tab. Hover over the Classes tab and click the current schedule or next year's schedule, when available. From the public page you can view the class schedule without all the details. Once you are a member you will have full access to the details but feel free to ask us if you have questions before that. Our classes meet from 10:00-12:00 each Friday followed by a park day. |
Q: |
How does your class schedule work? |
A: |
Our class schedule works on a rotating schedule. Week 1 of each month follows week 1 on the schedule, week 2 of each month follows the week 2 schedule, and so on. Months that have a 5th week are set aside for special events or park days only. You can click on the calendar to view the dates we have classes this year along with when we take breaks for holidays. |
Q: |
Where are events held? |
A: |
Our classes rotate location to accomodate families who live in all areas of the county. Week 1 classes are in Anaheim, week 2 are in Mission Viejo, week 3 are in Lake Forest, and week 4 are in Irvine. Classes are followed by a park day at a park local to the class location. Other activities are held in Orange County. Occasionally we have field trips or service projects in other surrounding areas. |
Q: |
Besides classes and park days, what activities do you offer? |
A: |
In addition to our weekly class and park days, we have regular field trips, mom's nights, service projects, and other events. We also have a leadership club specifically for high school students. |
Q: |
Do you have preschool classes? |
A: |
As part of our class schedule, we have a preschool time available each week. Parents are part of the preschool time and activities are available for you to interact with your preschooler. You can see more details on our class schedule. |
Q: |
What do you offer for Jr. & Sr. High School students besides classes? |
A: |
To encourage our oldest students to be involved in the group and connect with one another we have a leadership club called the Special Projects Club (SPC). Students in 8th - 12th grade can join SPC. SPC students take a leadership class during their first year of joining SPC. During subsequent years of SPC they are involved in planning and leading monthly events for the younger kids in the group. We encourage families of Jr. & Sr. High School students to plan social activities for the group throughout the year. |
Homeschool Help
Q: |
Does SOCCO keep records or file the private school affidavit for members? |
A: |
SOCCO is a homeschool support group only so while we do have group activities, classes and other events we do not hold the records for each of our member families nor do we file the affidavit. Each of our families files their own private school affidavit or files through a private school program. Support in filing the private school affidavit and in record keeping is available through the group. |
Q: |
Where can I find out more about homeschooling? |
A: |
Many of our families have homeschooled for a number of years and love helping new homeschoolers get started. SOCCO also highly recommends that you join Christian Home Educators of America in California (www.cheaofca.org) and Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Both organizations are well established and extremely helpful. Links for these organizations can be found at the bottom of our page. |
Q: |
Does SOCCO have discount codea for CHEA & HSLDA membership? |
A: |
Yes, once you are a member, you can use SOCCO's codes for discounts to join both CHEA & HSLDA. For more information on either of these organizations, click the links below or contact us. |
Q: |
How can I contact you and get more information? |
A: |
To contact us, please click the contact button at the top of the page or through the contact menu or by emailing socco.board@gmail.com. We would also be happy to set-up a phone call if you prefer. Please email indicating you would like a phone call. Our group is entirely run by volunteers so please allow 2-3 days for a response. |