Grace Homeschool Co-Op in Hampton Roads

Grace is very full. I will post a 2023 fall schedule as it becomes available comment here if you wish to be added to our waitlist. It helps if you post you children's age ranges. We may end up full in some age ranges and not in others. Check out the faq on a previous post for more information about our co-op.

Here is a separate post with the fall schedule because it was getting lost in our FAQ post below. Please check out our FAQ post below as well. The link autoupdates so feel free to check it more than once for updates of changes. We are still adding classes and descriptions. Class descriptions or in the tabs at the bottom or top of your window.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VGlVy-c7DWdM4foecL-E6iM3GVGTzBqLnBmQu6nDSNs/edit?usp=sharing

*Edit to add we are now very full and only accepting registrations from families with middle and high school students (where we still have room), we do have the last few remaining elementary spots reserved for their siblings*
Well it's that time again! Fall Semester registration. We will be tours through the end of May on Tuesdays. Email [email protected] with questions or to join.
The links below autoupdate so check back frequently as course descriptions and classes are added. I have attached the FAQ and Fall Schedule links. We would love to have you!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VGlVy-c7DWdM4foecL-E6iM3GVGTzBqLnBmQu6nDSNs/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MpnPgipUhYbpTetETSZJ2DajohfV21SSANCDgaSS5Ps/edit?usp=sharing

FAQ for New Families What is Grace Homeschool Cooperative? Grace Homeschool Cooperative is a true cooperative. Meaning all families join together and volunteer to run classes, field trips, and events. Run by passionate volunteers, Grace fosters a community like no other. The offerings reflect the needs of the group...

Grace is Back! Is your family looking to join a new cooperative? Willing to volunteer your time to give you kids the best fun educational and social opportunities? Check out our FAQ and see if we are the right fit for you. Grace is a true cooperative and we hope we can grow our community a little larger with the right new families.

*If you contacted us during Covid please contact us again, we were helping our families navigate ever changing challenges. Happy to be back to serve you again!

What is Grace Homeschool Cooperative?
Grace Homeschool Cooperative is a true cooperative. Meaning all families join together and volunteer to run classes, field trips, and events. Run by passionate volunteers, Grace fosters a community like no other. The offerings reflect the needs of the group. Including academic and enrichment classes, clubs, and special events.
What does this mean for your family? It means if you are looking for academia? Great! We have families who want that, too. Your contribution can be to offer academic type classes. You say you’ve got that covered, and want enrichment classes for your kiddos? Awesome! Many of us feel similarly, and would love to participate in an enrichment type class that you want to teach. Not that either? Are you really just looking for social opportunities for your crew? Whew! We love clubs and themed hangouts, too! We can’t wait to be a part of your group.

Where and when do you meet?
We Meet at Bayside Church of Christ, 5025 Shell Road Virginia Beach. Very close to many highways, central for many families in Hampton Roads. We meet Tuesdays 930 am to 200 pm. We typically begin the first or second Tuesday in February and end the first or second Tuesday in May.

How much does it cost?
Our family registration fee for the semester is $40. Each class is priced by the teacher. As a true cooperative, our families are our teachers. We do not have outside instructors, and as such, our class fees are to only cover supplies and materials used for the class, not to pay teachers or for profit. Classes range from $0 - $100 for the semester. Historically, classes average around $15-$40 per semester. This makes us the least expensive cooperative in town.

What does it mean to be a true cooperative?
It means Grace is what YOU make it. There are no “for hire” teachers providing instruction. We (the families at Grace) bring our ideas for classes, the wants and needs for and of our children, and work together to offer classes to fill those wants and needs. Your ideas are welcome! Never taught anyone other than your own kids, and the idea of being responsible for teaching other kids fills you with terror? You’re not alone. Literally and figuratively. We have all been in that position. You WILL NOT be alone. We’ll be sure you have assistance in your classroom. We can help you plan your semester. We love to share ideas, brainstorm, and help you make your class dreams a reality.

How many Families typically participate?
30-50 Usually serving 100 to 150 students. The hallways are busy and it gives Grace a true “school” vibe (the good parts of school). Lunch with your friends, switching classes each bell, valentine exchanges ect. Come help your kids “find their tribe” with us.

What are the volunteer commitments?
Each family must be willing to teach in at least one (1) of our four (4) class periods for the semester or volunteer to be an assistant for 2. Additionally, you are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the spaces you and your family occupy during co-op hours. This means tidying the classroom/s you use, cleaning up after yourselves and your children throughout the day, signing up for and participating in end of day clean-up duties (an additional 15-30 minutes at the end of the day) a couple of times during the semester. Finally, we welcome the fun! Want to volunteer to arrange a crazy sock day? Pajama day? Valentine’s Day card exchange? Woohoo! We’re in!

What makes Grace so unique?
You! Grace is a collective of like-minded families. That sounds hokey and unrealistic, but truly, we all share a passion for doing it ourselves. That’s part of why we homeschool. That’s why you’re interested in a cooperative and not a school. Grace is unique because you, your family, your goals, dreams, plans, wants, and needs are unique. Like a great potluck buffet- bring something delicious, take what you want, and leave the rest. I will say we get consistent feedback that moms and children were really able to “find their people” at Grace in a way not always found at other groups. I think that makes Grace really unique, the social opportunities.

Is Grace Drop off?
Grace is not Drop off, but reach out if you can only partially participate. We are a community and can find a spot for everyone.

Is a statement of faith required to join?
Grace is housed at a church, so it is Christian but inclusive. We ask our members to try to respect the beliefs of others and do not require a specific faith to join. Individual classes may be more religiously oriented or trend more secular. We ask our families to read individual class descriptions carefully before signing up.

Are the classes more academic or enrichment?
Depends on the semester. But traditionally there have been educational classes that also have fun social activities included. But if you are looking for academia? Great! We have families who want that, too. Your contribution can be to offer academic type classes. You say you’ve got that covered, and want enrichment classes for your kiddos? Awesome! Many of us feel similarly, and would love to participate in an enrichment type class that you want to teach. Not that either? Are you really just looking for social opportunities for your crew? Whew! We love clubs and themed hangouts, too! We can’t wait to be a part of your group

I want to teach a class, but I’m not sure how?
You are 95% there! We will host a planning get together in advance of the semester to help you plan and prepare for your class. We also have plenty of seasoned mentors available to help guide you. Having an idea and the willingness to volunteer is where we all started, and we don’t want anyone to be deterred by inexperience. Also, you won’t be alone. We always provide classroom teaching assistants for teachers. Please, share your idea, your time, and see how great it is to see it come to life!

I don’t want to teach a class, what are my options?
Bummer, but ok. Most of us started out assisting in other teacher’s classes. We need you, too! There are a few permanent substitute positions available. (Teacher’s leave substitute class plans in the event of an absence.) There are likely some administrative duties that can be shared, too. Where do your talents lie? Homeschoolers are self-starters, so tell us how you see yourself contributing to the cooperative, and we’ll work to find you a role to fill.

Where is the schedule for next semester?
Still being created! The 2 year break from Covid reduced our numbers as families moved away or their needs changed. We are aiming to have the schedule out by Thanksgiving, we create it as committed new members volunteer to teach classes. Those who want to wait and see the schedule, no problem, however; priority registration will be given to those committing to the Spring semester now. I have attached several former schedules to give an idea of what Grace is all about.

What are the plans with regard to Covid?
With rules becoming more consistent and cases dropping we are very hopeful for the Spring and strongly feel it will happen, but we are at the mercy of changing restrictions for the community and the church like any other organization. In the event that things change and we cannot meet. Preference will be given to have a shorter semester or extend the semester till mid June instead of canceling the whole semester. We also have transitioned some classes to zoom during pandemic and have mentors to assist with that in the unlikely circumstance that things worsen. No teacher would be required to transition to zoom.

I wanted to sign up for a class but it is full, what can I do?
We have a priority registration system based on points, the longer you are at Grace and the more things you volunteer for the more points you have. We don’t register first come, we register highest points first. Rewarding seniority and volunteerism. So if you wanted a class and it was full, worry not, second choices are on our registration form! In subsequent semesters you will have more points and be more likely to get first choices. We have never had a student have no choices for a bell, and all our options are taught by passionate teacher volunteers, so take a risk, make new friends!

I’m specifically interested in the Grace Teen Leadership Program, how is this different?
Remember after school clubs and activities, service projects, field trips, ski trips, movie parties, mall hangouts, “my mom will take if your mom will pick up” gigs when you were a kid? It’s that and more. Teen led initiatives with grown-up mentors to help their plans become a reality. This is separate from Grace Homeschool Cooperative and open to teens that don’t attend grace. Please email [email protected] and specify that you are interested in the Teen Leadership Program. The coordinator will be in contact with you.

Where do I sign up?
Email [email protected] and a member of our admin team will contact you and answer your questions and provide you more information on available classes.

Grace is changing leadership but we are keeping things more or less the same. We are sorry to see our leaders move away but plan to try to keep a good thing going. After current families register for Spring 2020 we can see if there is room for new families. Leave your email here if you would like the schedule emailed to you as we have room. Happy Homeschooing!

We are all full for the Fall 2018 Semester! If you'd like information about when we open up Registration for Spring 2019, please leave your email in the comments. Thank you!!!!

Hello Everyone!

UPDATE - We will be doing Registration for new families for Fall 2018 in June. We have only a few spaces open, but if you are interested in seeing what classes we have available, please leave your email here and look for an email from us during the first week of June.

I know we have lots of new people coming and hoping to find out about us-- here are some questions I answer often-

We are an all volunteer parent run co-op in Virginia Beach.

We meet Tuesdays near Little Creek.

We are not a drop off co-op. All parents must teach or assist in classes. Families also sign up to clean the building a couple of times throughout the semester.

We have a registration fee of $35 per semester (per family not student) and each class has a supply fee ($15-75 per class generally)

To join you must have a child at least kindergarten age.

Our fall schedule will be out in the next couple of weeks! Leave your email here and we will make sure you get a copy.

Classes are cancelled for tomorrow 10/11. Please spread the word to your friends! Thanks everyone!

This is tomorrow ......

The weather won't stop us--we are on for Soldiering Through Time Saturday, October 8, 11 am - 2 pm. This free Living History family event with fun hands-on activities will take place in the museum's Great Hall.

Discover how changes in technology have affected warfare over the years and learn why soldiers fought for various causes throughout American history.

Meet and interact with Living History interpreters who will portray soldiers from the Anglo-Powhatan wars, the American Revolutionary War and WW II.

In fun and imaginative ways, learn the causes of these conflicts and why the soldiers they portray would fight. By joining in musket drills and handling various types of equipment like that used by soldiers in different times in history, children can experience first-hand what it was like to be a soldier. We’ll also have coloring pages and other creative hands-on activities.

Family activities are free of charge and take place in the museum’s Great Hall continuously from 11 am to 2 pm. Drop in anytime between those hours to join the fun! Admission to the museum galleries is a special $3 per person reduced rate on 2nd Saturdays.

The Hampton History Museum is located at 120 Old Hampton Lane in Downtown Hampton. There is plenty of free parking in the garage across the street. For more information call 757-727-1102.

The Science Museum of VA in Richmond has a new traveling exhibit about math!

Children's Classes | Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art The Leading Contemporary Art Institution in Virginia fostering awareness, exploration and understanding of the significant art of our time.

Christian College Fair - October 3 in Norfolk

Christian University & College Fairs - My Blueprint Story Click on a fair below or search for one in your area. The details for each fair are provided along with a list of registered institutions. Be sure to check out our resource center for more helpful links and articles.