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Our co-op meets on Wednesdays from 9:30am-2pm from September-December (Fall Semester) and January-May (Spring Semester).  Our semesters are 14 weeks long, with 12 weeks of classes.  Two weeks per semester are devoted to community-building activities, field trips, or smaller group meetings.

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We meet at a community center in Tempe, near Arizona State University.

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Our co-op serves students from preK through grade 8.

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The family membership fee, due upon enrollment with the co-op, is $125 per semester.  The family fees cover our basic operating expenses, including rent, insurance, and website fees.

There is also a class fee for each class registration.  This fee is set by the teacher, to cover the teacher's expenses.  Class fees are generally between $5-$15.  Class fees are paid at the time of class registration.

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We do not currently accept ESA funds, although this is something that we hope to offer in the future.

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We are a secular homeschooling group, meaning that our group does not have an affiliation with any one religion or creed.  We are committed to creating an inclusive environment in which we actively and purposefully create a welcoming environment for members from all backgrounds.  We believe that our community benefits from and is enriched by the diversity of our membership.

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The daily schedule is as follows:
1st period - 9:30 am - 10:20 am
2nd period - 10:30 am - 11:20 am
Lunch break - 11:20 am - 12:00 pm
3rd period - 12:00 pm - 12:50 pm
4th period - 1:00 pm -1:50 pm

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All potential new members must set up a brief meeting (by phone or in person) with one of our directors.  This meeting is an opportunity for us to share information about the co-op and gives you an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.  Please contact us to set up a meeting by sending an email to [email protected]

Once you have completed this initial meeting, you can sign up for the co-op by clicking the "join" button at the top right of our webpage.  You will be notified once your application has been processed and provided with credentials to log into the website.

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In order to promote a sense of community and familiarity, families are asked to commit to attending for at least two class periods.

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While we do not offer child care, we welcome your whole family to be a part of our co-op day.  Infants and toddlers are welcome on campus and in the classroom.  In fact, many of our parents have taught classes while baby-wearing!  We do ask that you help us maintain a respectful learning environment by supervising younger children at all times.

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Your child must be under the care of a responsible adult while on campus.  If your child is cared for by a caregiver, grandparent, nanny, etc, that person is welcome to bring your child to co-op.  If the person bringing your child to co-op is not a parent or guardian, you will need to sign and submit an "authorized caregiver" agreement.

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Two weeks during our fourteen week semester are dedicated to field trips, seasonal parties, or other community-building activities.  We also offer field trip opportunities throughout the year, and we encourage parents to schedule field trips as they find opportunities of interest.

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While regular attendance is an important part of the co-op experience, there are times when you may need to miss a day.  The substitute coordinator is a volunteer whose responsibility it is to make sure that all volunteer positions are filled throughout the day.  If you are going to be absent - whether planned or unplanned - you are expected to contact the substitute coordinator.  Contact information for the substitute coordinator will be shared at the beginning of the semester.

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We are guests of the Escalante Center and, as such, we are required to follow the policies set by the City of Tempe.  There is not currently an indoor mask requirement. It is up to each family to decide what works best for them, and we support each individual's decision regarding masking.

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Our class offerings change every semester based on what our parent leaders choose to teach.  We strive to keep a balance of academic and enrichment classes.  We also aim to make sure that every age student has at least two classes to choose from each period.  This helps to ensure that all students have classes that they find engaging and meaningful.

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The class schedule for the upcoming semester will be published on our website once it becomes available.  A sample schedule is available here.

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Each teacher determines the number of students in his/her class.  Class sizes are generally 5-12 students.

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We maintain an open-door policy and you may visit your child's classroom any time.  We ask you to please be respectful of the teacher and minimize disruptions by observing quietly and modeling appropriate behavior while in the classroom (no side conversation, no use of electronics, etc).

If your child is anxious about attending class without you, we encourage you to talk with your child's teachers and make them aware of the situation so the teacher can support your child and be sensitive to your child's needs.

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Each teacher sets the age range for the class being taught.  If you are interested in signing your child up for a class outside of your child's age range, we encourage you to reach out to the teacher to discuss your request.  The teacher can provide more information about the class requirements, expectations, and format so that you can work together to make sure your child is taking classes that are a good fit.

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Each teacher determines the class size for each class.  Although uncommon, there may be times when classes fill and your child is not able to take a preferred class.  There will always be an alternative class available if one class is full; each child will be able to take a class during each period on campus.

If you want to make sure that your child can sign up for preferred classes, we encourage you to consider teaching - teachers receive priority during the registration process.

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Class registration is an easy process that takes place on our website.  You will be able to log in and choose your child(ren)'s classes, as well as pay the class fees, through the website.

Registration takes place over the course of three days. Registration is open to teachers on the first day, returning members on the second day, and new members on the third day.  

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Parents are strongly encouraged, but not required, to teach. Children whose parents teach a class will receive priority placement during the registration process.

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Very simply, you should teach what you love!  Co-op classes are a chance for you to share an interest, passion, or skill with young people who are curious and excited to learn.  Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and teach classes that might not fit into a traditional “school” format.  If you have any questions or are having a hard time getting started, just reach out to us - we’re always happy to help!

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Parents often worry about whether their classes will meet the expectations of the other parents.  They often worry that children won’t learn “enough” in their class, or that they won’t cover the “right” topics.  We encourage prospective teachers to think less about how much students will learn and master, and more about how enriching the experience of taking a co-op class can be.  Students gain exposure to new topics and ideas, and experience a different teaching style.  They make friends and see what it’s like to learn in a group setting.  For many of us, co-op is a place where our children can experience the things that we, as homeschooling parents, don’t love to teach - whether that’s messy art or hands-on science.  Whatever you choose to share with our co-op community, your contribution is valuable.

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You do not need to have any special training or experience to teach a co-op class.

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No!  There are so many readily available, high quality curricula available that most teachers opt to use an existing curriculum rather than creating their own.  You are welcome to use any and all resources that you will find helpful and that will enhance the students’ learning experience.

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Every class has at least one aide.  If you need more than one aide, you can request this when you submit your class description.  As a teacher, it will be up to you to communicate with your aide about how the aide can be most helpful to you.

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You should plan to charge a class fee that will cover your out-of-pocket expenses.  Class fees are collected by the co-op at the time of class registration.  You can receive a reimbursement by emailing a copy of your receipts to the co-op email, [email protected].  Reimbursements are generally issued within one week of when receipts are received.  You can request to receive your refund by check or PayPal.

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Most classrooms have a whiteboard, with the exception of the fitness room.  Most classrooms also have A/V equipment, a screen, and a television that you are welcome to use.

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If you know ahead of time that you are going to be absent, you may want to communicate with your aide to see whether that person can lead the class in your absence.  In the case of unexpected absences (illness, etc), we keep a “substitute box” on hand so that students have some alternate activities for the class period.

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Once you complete the membership application, you will receive our “teacher survey” on which you can indicate your interest in teaching.

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Our co-op depends on the involvement of all families in order to be successful.  Volunteer sign-up begins after class registration ends, and we simply ask families to sign up to volunteer for at least part of the day.

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In addition to teaching, parents can sign up to volunteer as an aide or a substitute.  We are also always looking for volunteers who can help with our website, social media, and organizing special events such as parties and field days.

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A parent lounge is available for parents who are not volunteering.

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Volunteer sign-up is online through our website and begins after class registration closes.  The date for volunteer sign-up will be posted on the co-op calendar.