A support group usually has periodic meetings for
its members and provides various activities such as field trips,
4-H, scouts, sports, yearbooks, and graduations. In general, you
must formally join a support group to participate. Some may also
offer park days, co-ops, classes.
Co-op
Co-ops are classes organized and taught by
parents. For students to participate, their parents must
contribute by teaching classes or assisting the co-op in other
ways. In general, co-ops have no or low fees and you must be a
member to participate.
Park
Day Support
Park Day groups are more informal support groups that are
based on meeting at a park on a weekly basis. There is usually no
membership requirement and you may show up as desired. The groups
exist to simply interact with other homeschoolers. There isn't
necessarily any specific activity planned for the park day. Some
groups will organize other activities such as field trips as
desired.
Tutors/Classes
Tutors/classes organizations provide classes to
homeschoolers for a fee. Teachers are generally independent
contractors and set their own fee. You may pay a general
enrollment fee to the organization that is sponsoring the teachers
and another fee to the teacher on a monthly basis. Parents are not
required to contribute to the group as in a co-op situation.
University Model
A University Model school is a private school
that offers classes twice or three times a week like a university.
Parents supervise the student's work during the remaining time. It
may have some co-op elements as well.
Specialty
These groups focus on a specific service or area
such as theater arts, gifted children, or field trips. They may
requirement membership and payment for their services.
Online Only
These are usually discussion or announcement
groups that exist online only. Other groups will often post their
announcements on such groups.
Statement of Faith
A Statement of Faith is a document detailing a
group's religious beliefs. Often an organization will require it's
members to sign and support the statement of faith. Some may only
require it of people in leadership or teaching positions. Others
simply require participants to acknowledge the statement but not
necessarily agree with it.
The following is a listing of San Antonio area homeschool
organizations. Each is classified by it type. The type definitions are
listed in the left column of this page.
Of course, not all groups fall into such neat categories but I
tried to place them appropriately for quick reference. Click on the
organization for more information.
You can get more information on homeschooling in San Antonio at the
SA-HERO website, www.sahero.org.
HERO acts as a clearing house for local information, hosts an annual
conference, and provides a variety of activities open to all
homeschoolers.
