Micro-school vs
Co-op, what's the difference?
A microschool and a homeschool co-op both bring families together for learning but have different setups and approaches.
Micro-school: A micro-school is like a mini-school with more structure. It typically has set teachers, a consistent curriculum, and a regular schedule. Tuition is often charged, combining the benefits of traditional schooling with the flexibility and smaller class sizes of homeschooling.
Homeschool Co-op: A co-op is more relaxed and community-driven. Parents take turns teaching or organizing activities, and meetings might happen a few times a week or just for certain subjects. Co-ops are usually low-cost or free and don’t follow a formal structure like microschools.
Microschools offer more structure similar to traditional schools but with added flexibility, while co-ops focus on shared teaching responsibilities and a more casual approach.
Micro-school: A micro-school is like a mini-school with more structure. It typically has set teachers, a consistent curriculum, and a regular schedule. Tuition is often charged, combining the benefits of traditional schooling with the flexibility and smaller class sizes of homeschooling.
Homeschool Co-op: A co-op is more relaxed and community-driven. Parents take turns teaching or organizing activities, and meetings might happen a few times a week or just for certain subjects. Co-ops are usually low-cost or free and don’t follow a formal structure like microschools.
Microschools offer more structure similar to traditional schools but with added flexibility, while co-ops focus on shared teaching responsibilities and a more casual approach.
Setting up a Micro-School
A micro-school is like a small, close-knit learning community that combines the best parts of homeschooling and traditional schooling. These schools usually have fewer students, which means more personalized education and flexible, creative teaching. Micro-schools can be run by parents, teachers, or a mix of both, and they offer a wide range of teaching styles and curriculums. If you’re thinking about starting a micro-school, here’s what to do:
Set Your Goals: Decide what you want your micro-school to focus on and the ages you’ll teach.
Know the Rules: Make sure you’re up to speed on Utah’s education laws.
Find Your Space: Pick a spot that’s safe and practical for your classes
Pick Your Curriculum: Choose or create a curriculum that fits your goals.
Bring in Students and Teachers: Spread the word to local home school groups and social media to find interested families and teachers.
Set Your Policies: Create simple guidelines for how your school will run.
Set Your Goals: Decide what you want your micro-school to focus on and the ages you’ll teach.
Know the Rules: Make sure you’re up to speed on Utah’s education laws.
Find Your Space: Pick a spot that’s safe and practical for your classes
Pick Your Curriculum: Choose or create a curriculum that fits your goals.
Bring in Students and Teachers: Spread the word to local home school groups and social media to find interested families and teachers.
Set Your Policies: Create simple guidelines for how your school will run.
Setting up a Co-op
Home school co-ops vary widely in purpose based on the needs of the families involved. Some focus on academics, while others emphasize fun and social opportunities. Each co-op is designed to fill a unique gap in the home school experience, making them diverse and adaptable to different family goals. If you can't find a already existing co-op that you want to join you can create your own. This is what you need to do:
- Define Your Goals: Decide on the focus—social time, specific subjects, or a mix.
- Choose Ages & Subjects: Identify the age range and topics for your co-op.
- Plan Your Meetings: Determine how often and where you’ll meet (home, park, or community center).
- Find Families: Share your co-op plan with local home school groups or online communities to find interested families.
- Set Guidelines: Establish basic rules for participation to keep things running smoothly.
