Support Groups
Homeschoolers have created networks of support to provide a way to make friends, get ideas and information, and to offer positive socialization opportunties to their children. You can join in! There are many groups to choose from, many with specific affiliations, like Christian groups or unschoolers' groups. Some are eclectic, inclusive, and open to anyone. Whatever your interest, you are sure to find other like-minded parents. And if you don't find what you are looking for, we've put together tips for starting your own group.
Local & State Groups
Support groups offer a way for those interested in homeschooling or new to home education to get information and support. They also offer opportunities for social activities, group learning, and networking. Find a support group near you in Idaho.
National Groups
Tap into the national homeschool movement by connecting with these national homeschool groups and support organizations.
Social Media
Connect with other homeschooling using social networking tools. You can share tips and ideas, get support, collaborate on lesson plans, upload photos, and much more.
Co-Ops
A co-op offers a way to share teaching duties with others who are excited and knowledgeable about a subject. It also offers an opportunity for your children to learn in a group and to make friends. Browse through this list of co-ops in Idaho.
Umbrella/Cover Schools
An umbrella or cover school provides an alternative way for parents to fulfill governmental educational guidelines and requirements. Most offer a variety of services, which can include curricula, social activities, field trips, standardized testing, portfolio reviews, evaluations, and graduation materials, including diplomas. While umbrella schools do tend to the needs of homeschoolers, they are considered a type of private school in most states.
Resource Centers
Homeschool resource centers offer classes, materials, field trips, and other activities for parents and children alike. They are great ways to get new information, engage in group activities, and network with other homeschoolers.
Public School Programs
Public schools are increasing offering programs to appeal to homeschooling families, from classes to educational materials to computer and distance learning. In most cases, students enrolled in these programs are considered public school students rather than homeschoolers. Learn more about these programs and decide if these are right for your family.
Group Management
Learn how to start and manage a homeschool support group, including how to stay organized, how to handle conflict, and ideas for your support group.
What's Popular
National Alliance of Secular Homeschoolers (NASH)
The National Alliance of Secular Homeschoolers (N.A.S.H.) was born out of the realization that secular homeschoolers, lack a strong, organized, and influential voice to advance the imperatives of the secular homeschooling movement while advocating for secular homeschoolers. N.A.S.H. is organized by secular homeschoolers, for secular homeschoolers. They are led by a team of volunteers, including a Board of Directors, all of whom are dedicated to the advancement of secular homeschooling.
homeschoolidaho
This is a group for people who homeschool or are thinking of homeschooling in Idaho. Exchange ideas, support each other, give links for school stuff and field trips, or just talk.
Southeast Idaho Homeschool Association (SEIHA)
Southeast Idaho Homeschool Association (SEIHA) is a group of parents in Southeast Idaho who are brought together by their interest in homeschool excellence. They offer a newsletter, parent's meetings, field trips, skate parties, and other educational activities including an annual spelling bee, geography bee, and science fair. Most of their activities are held in Pocatello.
Spokane Homeschoolers—Homeschoolers of the Inland Empire
Spokane Homeschoolers is an inclusive group of the parents of homeschooling families in the Eastern Washington/North Idaho area surrounding Spokane.
Idahohomeschool
This is a mailing list for people who home school or are thinking of homeschooling in Idaho. Exchange ideas, support each other, give links for school stuff, or just talk.
Western Region Unschoolers
The Western Region Unschoolers is a group for unschoolers who live in the Western U.S. covering: Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and California. This is a forum to announce and organize conferences, travel, camping, and other places to get together.
Calendars Net
Free online web calendar hosting. Calendars Net is designed for webmasters who want to integrate interactive calendars with their websites. Use this online calendar to make organizing your support group functions a snap.
Mother of Divine Grace Families
This list is for families using the classical approach to education as outlined in Laura Berquist's independent study program, Mother of Divine Grace (MODG), and in her book Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum (DYOCC). The discussions on this loop primarily revolve around the implementation and use of resources which are recommended in the MODG syllabi and in DYOCC. Additionally, they always welcome conversations about the classical methodology of MODG/DYOCC.
Single Parent Homeschoolers
This is a list for single parents homeschooling their children. The purpose of this list is to support single parents.
Homeschool Gems
Open discussion group for homeschoolers in the state of Idaho, the "Gem State."
Idaho Home Schoolers
Email list for home educating parents in Idaho.
Northwest Charlotte Mason Group
Discussion for parents and/or educators in the Pacific Northwest (and points beyond) interested in the educational methods and philosophies of Charlotte Mason, a British educator from the late 1800's. Most of the list members are in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia, but there are others from across the USA, Canada and around the globe.
Alliance for Parental Involvement in Education
The Alliance for Parental Involvement in Education is a nonprofit organization which assists and encourages parental involvement in education, wherever that education takes place: in public school, in private school, or at home. AllPIE offers a newsletter (Options in Learning), annual conferences and retreats, a book catalog, workshops, lending library and more.
Jewish Homeschoolers
The focus of this list will be to provide homeschooling support and resources to Jewish homeschoolers of all levels of observance. Topics include curriculum choices, teaching tips, and holiday observances.
Child Led Learning
Child Led Learning is a group of parents around the Treasure Valley (Idaho) area who are beginning a local support group for homeschooling with an emphasis on child-led learning (some are unschoolers and some incorporate child-led learning into their days in other ways).
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