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FAQs



Q:

What is the purpose of Heritage Family Educators? 

A:

Heritage Family Educators is a Christian homeschool co-op serving those in and near Harrison County Indiana that meets in Corydon, Indiana. Our cooperative offers educational classes to 1st - 12th grades one day a week. We also provide kindergarten classes and care for children younger than five years old who are the siblings to the school aged children of registered families.

Parents share the teaching and administrative responsibilities and do not charge for their services, keeping cost low. We mainly focus our classes on areas of study that support the homeschoolers we serve, allowing parents to choose the classes they will teach. We also survey members each year to determine what kinds of classes would best fit their needs for the following year. 

Q:

Do you have any denominational affiliation?

A:

We are not affiliated with any particular church or denomination. We consider ourselves to be a Christian organization under the authority of Jesus Christ. All teachers and board members are in agreement with our Statement of Faith, and teachers attend a church that is also in agreement with it.

Families are not required to affirm the Statement of Faith in order to participate. However, families who choose to participate must agree to respect and not undermine the Christian mission of HFE or the application of the Statement of Faith in the life of the co-op.

Statement of Faith

We believe that there is one God, Creator of the Universe, and all that is in it; who exists in three distinct persons as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

We believe God, existing as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is eternal. His existence extends eternally into the past, and will extend eternally into the future. There was not a time when He did not exist. He never came into being and He will never cease to exist.

We believe that the Bible alone, including the Old and New Testament, are the inspired, inerrant, sufficient word of God and the Christian’s final authority.

We believe Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God the Father, was born of a virgin, was fully man and fully God, and was sinless. 

We believe that Jesus Christ was crucified, was buried after death, rose on the third day, ascended to Heaven, and now sits with the Father until the time of His return. 

We believe that every person has access to eternal salvation by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We  believe in the biblical view of human sexuality, one man and one woman in a monogamous marriage for life as designed by God. We believe in sexual abstinence outside marriage and fidelity inside marriage.

 

 

Q:

A few things HFE does and does not do not do:

A:

HFE does:

  • Offer enrollment in classes for students in 1st through 12th grades.

  • Provide educational opportunities for siblings of enrolled students, including preschool, kindergarten, tots, and nursery-aged children.

 

HFE does not:

  • Issue high school credits or diplomas; however, we can provide resources and guidance to assist families in doing so.
  • Assume responsibility for your child’s education or for meeting Indiana’s legal requirements for homeschooling, that lies soley with the parents.
  • Allow children to attend who are not the legal dependents of the registered family.

 

Q:

What are the eligibility requirements of members? 

A:

Co-op Member Eligibility

Families considered for membership must meet the following eligibility requirements before being invited to move forward in the New Member Consideration Process:

  • The family must have at least one child who will be in 1st–12th grade in the year membership is being considered.

  • All attending children over the age of 7 must be homeschooled in compliance with Indiana State law (subject to change as state law changes).

    • For the purposes of this co-op, homeschooling is defined as parent-directed education primarily conducted in the home, and not enrollment in a public school, public charter school, or virtual/online public school program.

    • Indiana’s compulsory attendance law applies from age 7 through age 18.

    • Homeschool instruction must be provided for the same number of days public schools are in session (180 instructional days per school year).

    • Parents or legal guardians are responsible for maintaining required instructional and attendance records.

  • All adult members must pass a background check, whether or not they will be attending co-op classes.

  • One parent or legal guardian must be present and volunteering at the co-op for every period that a child from the family is in attendance.

Q:

How are new families considered for Heritage Family Educators?

A:

New Member Consideration & Registration Process

  1. Review the FAQs
    Families interested in HFE must first read the FAQs on our website, as they outline how our co-op functions, eligibility requirements, and expectations for parent involvement.

  2. Complete the FAQ Comprehension Confirmation (when available)
    After reviewing the FAQs, families who believe HFE may be a good fit are required to complete the FAQ Comprehension Confirmation. This form is only available during periods when HFE is considering new families and will be linked at the bottom of the FAQ page when open.

  3. Submit a Pre-Application Information Form (when available)
    If HFE determines that we may have space to consider new families, a Pre-Application Information Form will be emailed after the responses to the FAQ Comprehension Confirmation are reviewed.
    Submission of this form does not guarantee an interview or invitation to attend.

  4. Board Review
    The Board of Directors will review submissions to determine which families best fit the openings available. This process is not first-come, first-served, and we do not maintain a waitlist.

  5. Invitation to Visit and Interview (by invitation only)
    Families who are selected to move forward may be invited to attend a co-op visit, if available, and will be scheduled to participate in a new member interview with at least two board members.

  6. Decision Notification
    After the interview process, families will be notified of the board’s decision.

  7. Registration & Next Steps
    Families who are accepted will receive an invoice for the annual membership fee. Background checks and required training will be completed before class enrollment and participation.

    Due to limited capacity, we are unable to invite all interested families each year.

Q:

How does HFE protect attending children?

A:

HFE is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all children in our care. We take child safety seriously and have implemented the following measures to promote accountability, transparency, and protection:

  • Criminal background checks are required for all adult members and are conducted every two years.

  • All adult co-op members are required to complete sexual abuse awareness training every two years.

  • Classes are staffed with both a teacher and an assistant whenever possible. If an assistant is not available, classroom doors must remain open.

  • Attendance is taken every period to ensure children are accounted for at all times.

Q:

What ages or grade levels do you offer classes/services for? 

A:

**Nursery through Kindergarten is only availalbe for siblings of those enrolled in 1st - 12th grade classes. Please see eligibilty requirements above if your oldest child is in one of these age groups.**

 

HFE offers classes for students in 1st through 12th grade, as well as opportunities for younger siblings of enrolled students. Age groupings are intended as general guidelines and may adjust based on the needs of the co-op.

Current age groupings include:

  • Nursery* (newborn – 1 year or walking steadily)

  • Toddlers* (walking steadily or ages 2–3)

  • Preschool/Kindergarten* (approximately ages 3–5; children must be potty trained)

  • Lower Elementary (1st–3rd grade)

  • Upper Elementary (4th–5th grade)

  • Middle School (6th–8th grade)

  • Senior High School (9th–12th grade)

We strive to offer a mix of core and elective classes for each age group.

Because each child and homeschool family is unique, families are welcome to discuss placement questions with our grade-level coordinators during registration.

*Availability for younger age groups varies based on volunteers and space.

Q:

What classes do you offer?

A:

Each new school year, we offer a variety of classes. These range from one-time weekly subjects that children enjoy during class, with little to no work outside of class, to full-year courses with homework schedules provided.

You can view our current class offerings on the Class Enrollment page. Please note that class details will be accessible only after you become a member.

 

Q:

How often does the co-op meet?

A:

Our co-op meets on Mondays for 32 weeks starting in August through early May, with scheduled breaks each semester.  

 

Q:

What do I (the parent) do at co-op?

A:

HFE is a parent-driven, all-volunteer organization. Every family contributes to making co-op run smoothly. Parents should expect to be assigned volunteer responsibilities before, during, and after classes on Mondays.

Member Responsibilities May Include:

  • Working in nursery or tots

  • Serving as a classroom assistant

  • Acting as a substitute teacher

  • Teaching a class (not during your first year and only after meeting teacher eligibility requirements for following years)

  • Coordinating events or activities

  • Assisting with administrative tasks

  • Helping with facility care and cleaning, such as:

    • Bathrooms

    • Sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming

    • Wiping tables

    • Washing dishes

    • Taking out trash

    • Setting up or breaking down tables

    • Other needed cleaning tasks

At least one parent or legal guardian from each registered family is required to be on-site and actively volunteering on co-op day.

 

Teaching at Co-op

Teaching is one of the most valuable ways parents serve at HFE; however, new members do not teach during their first year at the co-op. This allows families time to become familiar with our culture, procedures, and expectations.

No formal degree or prior teaching experience is required, but teacher eligibility requirements must be met. Each year, returning members may submit class proposals for consideration. During periods when you are not teaching, you will be assigned to assist in classrooms or complete cleaning or support tasks.

 

Nursery and Tots Service

Parents of children in nursery or tots may be asked to serve one or more shifts in those areas. At times, they may also be asked to serve in other areas for part of the day. Nursery parents are given priority for nursery assignments due to feeding and care needs.

 

End-of-Day Cleaning

Some cleaning begins during our last period.  Cleaning continues after classes are dismissed and must be completed before families may leave. Each adult will be assigned either a cleaning task or child-monitoring responsibility. Once your assigned task is completed, you are free to leave.

We are always open to ideas and suggestions for how families can help strengthen our co-op community.

Q:

Where are you located?

A:

Corydon, IN 47112

Q:

How much does it cost to join? 

A:

Co-op Membership: $330 per family, per year
Class fees and activities per child: one time fee that varies from $0 to $100+ per class depending on the class supply needs. 
 

Q:

Is there a dress code? 

A:

Yes. The dress code is the same for students and parents:

  • All clothing should cover the core body and not leave any exposed skin from chest to mid-thigh.
  • Shoulders should be covered, no tank tops, halters, or thin straps without a covering top.
  • All clothing should be God honoring or neutral, no offensive language or images.  

The board reserves the right to send anyone home if their clothing does not meet the standards in this policy as judged by the board of directors

Q:

Can we bring visitors?

A:

No. Only registered family members will be allowed to attend on co-op day. 

Q:

What is your illness policy? 

A:

We ask parents and children, who are ill, to stay home. This includes symptoms such as:

  • Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or sinus discharge

  • Communicable diseases transmitted through normal contact (viruses, bacterial infections, flu, parasites, or fungi)

If anyone in your household has the flu or a serious cold/virus, we ask that the whole family stay home, as some illnesses can incubate before symptoms appear.

The Board reserves the right to send home anyone exhibiting concerning symptoms.

Note: A good rule of thumb is to be symptom-free for at least 24 hours without medication. Please be considerate of other families.

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