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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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Yes!  We have compiled links to general information about homeschooling such as curriculum, as well as specific information regarding Michigan state guidelines and local SE Michigan homeschool groups.  We did not create this information and are not responsible for its content, but we hope that the information is helpful to you in getting started and/or planning the next steps in your homeschooling journey.

Please check out our "LINKS" section!

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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: $35/child ($140 maximum per family)
• Copy/Admin fee: $2/class
• 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.

For typical class costs, visit Class Catalog.

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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 Schedule for a complete listing of classes.  We are always in search of new classes to add to the schedule!

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We follow a Sequence of Subjects that rotates every four years.  These subjects include Science, History, Literature and Math. We also survey our members every spring so parents can give their input not only on their co-op experience, but also on the classes they would like offered the following year.  Members may suggest classes they would like to see offered, offer classes they would like to teach, or both.  The survey results are compiled and presented to the members for a vote.  The popularity of and need for a class, as well as the availability of a teacher, determine class selection offerings.

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Not at all! We welcome all homeschooling families with children who are kindergarten through high school.  Nursery and preschool programs are provided only for younger siblings of K-12 students.

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We understand social connections are very important to home schoolers. Heritage offers many social opportunities 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 showcase what they have learned during the semester. Other family and friends are welcome to attend.

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We follow the policy of our host church NorthRidge, which has in the past required masks for those who use the building. We do our best to keep our families safe and healthy during their time at Heritage, and we encourage members to utilize transmission mitigation procedures (handwashing/hand sanitizing, wiping down tables, etc.), as well as minimize both sharing of supplies and close physical contact among members. At this time for the 2021-22 academic year it is the policy of NorthRidge that face coverings are worn at the discretion of each family. Those who wish to wear masks should feel free to do so, but it is not currently required. However, we cannot guarantee that our current policy will not have to change based on developments in the future, and each family would have to make a determination as to their comfort level with participation. We do ask that any family exposed to or experiencing illness at or near meeting time to refrain from attending. 

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All of our classrooms are peanut, nut, and coconut free.  Food with these ingredients are limited to the lunch room only.  Strict hand washing is encouraged after lunch to help keep this policy in place.

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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, admin, and class material 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 submit an application to have your student(s) considered for participation in the drop-off program.

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We offer parents opportunities to participate in select MS/HS enrichment classes open to adults, 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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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. The reason behind parents teaching is to keep our costs low so families have extra to spend on other things.  We all want what’s best for our children.  If we all give our best in what we do, we all end up winning

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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.   Exceptions are given to those who have already stayed for 3-4 hours and need to go home to put a younger child down for a nap. These parents may leave their elementary students with a parent in charge. No pre-elementary students may be left by the parent on the premises at any time.

Parents are asked to assist/teach for a minimum of two hours and be available another hour to step in and assist when there is a need. (Three hours required)  The service requirement is double this if staying for a full day, still the 2/3 ratio of service/fellowship time.  Parents also take turns with set up/tear down, clean up and lunch monitor, etc., as needed.

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We are home schoolers.  We teach our kids at home.  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.  However, until we have a larger pool of teaching parents, everyone will be asked to teach.

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Applying to Heritage

APPLY FOR 2022-23 ACADEMIC YEAR  Heritage functions on an academic year schedule and processes applications only in the spring for the upcoming year. Any applications received at this point will be considered for the 2022-23 school year.  Applications must be submitted online to be considered for membership and pre-registration for Fall classes. Teaching specialties will be considered in membership decisions, based on our teaching needs.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Feb. 14 or 28, 2022: Campus Visit at NorthRidge Church in Plymouth

March 14, 2022: Application Deadline for 2022-23 Academic Year

May 13, 2022: New Member and Teacher Orientation

Mid-May, 2022: Registration for Fall classes for new members

June 6, 2022: Field Day at Kensington Metropark (first installment payments due)

STEPS TO HERITAGE MEMBERSHIP:

Step 1: Attend a Campus Visit.  Our Campus Visits were held in February. 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 in January 2023 for our 2023-24 Campus Visit schedule.

Heritage Home Educators is no longer accepting requests for Campus Visit events for the 2022-23 academic year. Please email us at [email protected] for more information. Thank you!

Step 2: Submit an online application, background check form, and $25 application fee with your teaching skills and interests by March 14, 2022. 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.