Welcome
GRACE Life Co-op is unapologetically a Christian organization. We do allow those of different beliefs to join our co-op, but prospective members need to understand that we will operate according to biblical values.
The Grace Life Co-op leaders are a group of parents who give our time to organize this co-op in order to expand our own kids' homeschool experience as well as to bless the homeschool community in the Pitt County area.
Unfortunately, we are not trained or equipped to deal with learning and/or behavioral disorders in our co-op classes. Each child who participates in our co-op needs to be able to function well in a classroom environment.
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Events to Note:
How this works:
If you are interested in joining our co-op, you should:
#1 - Read our co-op policies listed above
#2 - Read our dress code listed above
#3 - Read our beliefs and liability waiver listed above
#4 - If you find that these are rules you can abide by, click "Join" in the upper right portion of this page.
#5 - If you haven't been a member of our local co-op before, we will need to meet you before accepting your membership.
#6 - Once you are a member, you will be able to see the specific class offerings.
Login to your account here
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a co-op?
Co-op is short for cooperative. We are a group of parents who work together to help to expand the educational experiences for our children. We work hard to organize and administrate this co-op to share this experience with the homeschool community (in the Pitt County area) at large.
Being part of a co-op means that we work together to make it happen. Each family has to serve at co-op in some capacity - some teach, some administrate, some serve in the lunchroom, some serve as hall monitors, clean bathrooms/windows, etc. It's required that everyone chip in to make this work for our children.
Do I have to be a Christian to join Grace Life Co-op?
No, you do not have to be a Christian to join Grace Life. We are an all-inclusive co-operative. This means that we allow people of other religions to be a part of our group. But, each member should understand that we will operate our co-op according to biblical values, and there's a good likelihood that God/scripture/biblical values will come during classes.
What is the cost to join Grace Life Co-op?
There is a registration fee of $20 per family and a $20 director fee. We do also ask that each family makes a $50 donation per year to our host church (given directly to the church) . That brings the total for joining our co-op to $90 per year for your whole family.
The cost for each class is listed on the matrix, as well as requested payment methods. These costs vary depending on the level of class and type of class offered. Many classes do require a supply fee in addition to class costs.
What age/grade levels is this co-op for?
Grace Life Co-op desires to offer classes for preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school aged kids. The classes we offer are determined by the parents who step forward to teach these classes.
(For example, if no one steps forward to teach preschool classes, we will not have any preschool classes to offer.)
Do I have to be a homeschooler to join your co-op?
Yes, this is a co-op for homeschooling families. If your children are young and you haven't officially opened your homeschool yet, that's okay. Just make sure to do your official paperwork with the state when your oldest is turning seven years old.
Does Grace Life Co-op run on a weekly schedule all year?
Grace Life Co-op meets one day a week for 30 weeks a year, split into two 15 week semesters. We take appropriate holiday and other breaks through the semesters to allow for family vacations and holidays. (Once you have joined the co-op, you'll be able to see the full and complete schedule.)
If your family will miss co-op for vacations, trips, appointments, etc, please let your child's teachers know so class won't be delayed.
Is co-op a school where I bring my child to "school" every day?
No, co-op is not a school. Co-op meets once per week at a local church for classes. Co-op IS a drop off - generally unless you are serving in some capacity, you drop your kids off and go enjoy a little quiet time!
Co-op is not responsible for your child's education, and does not keep a report card or transcript for your child. The administration of your child's education is your responsibility. For high school classes, the teachers will send you a report card for that particular class - this will provide you the information to list on your student's transcript.
Does my child have to take all the classes offered for his/her age group?
No, you can sign your child up for classes individually, according to what they need/want to take.
Class enrollment is limited to the particular age or grade level the teacher has designated for their class offering.
How do you become a teacher for Grace Life Co-op?
Parents who have been in our co-op for one year and homeschooling for at least two years can offer to teach in Grace Life Co-op.
All teachers have to provide a background check before classes would be placed on the class matrix.
How we determine which classes are offered:
Classes are offered based on seniority of the teacher, need in our co-op, and classroom space availability. For example, if you want to teach an elementary art class, we would determine if there is a need for an art class for that age group, if a current teacher is already teaching that class, and if we have an appropriate space for that type of class. We always look at the needs of co-op as a whole when determining which classes can be offered.
If you fit these qualifications and would like to offer to teach in our next co-op, please send an email to [email protected]
Do you run background checks on your teachers?
Yes. Every teacher has a background check. This is done to ensure the safety of the students and families who participate in Grace Life Co-op.
Is Grace Life a support group?
No, Grace Life Co-op is a cooperative of families to enrich their children's homeschool education, not a support group. While you will find friendships and people who can be a resource to you for homeschool related topics, our goal is not to serve as a support group. HOME is a large support group for homeschoolers in the Pitt County Area. You can see their website here.
I pulled my child out of public school recently, and they had an IEP/504 plan. Can this be accommodated in your co-op?
Since our co-op is not a school, we are not equipped to handle many behavioral or educational disabilities. Our co-op classes are in a more traditional classroom environment, even if the approach may not be traditional. We are parents, not trained professionals, and we are not equipped to know how to handle children who cannot function in a classroom environment.
If you are considering joining our co-op, please think honestly about your child and decide whether Grace Life Co-op is a good choice for them.
Membership Guidelines
Active Members are those who have at least one child taking co-op classes during 1st or 2nd semester of the current year.
Inactive Members and all waiting list applicants are purged from the website in the spring of the co-op year. This is to ensure that the majority of active members are utilizing the limited co-op membership availability.
Those who are purged may renew your application on or after April 1st if you are interested in the upcoming year's co-op classes. All applicants are automatically on the waiting list until you are accepted as a member or purged the next spring.