We were thrilled when a Smarty reader and homeschooling mama reached out to us about homeschooling. Thank you, Heather Hobbs, for this blog and great list of resources for homeschooling parents! If you would like to be part of the homeschooling email list, please contact Heather Hobbs.
By Smarty Guest Blogger Heather Hobbs
Homeschooling: it’s not just for the weird kid down the street anymore. There are tons of homeschoolers in the greater Charlotte area, and a plethora of resources available. You just have to find them. I get asked quite a bit about CO-OPs, classes, and other homeschooling activities. However, in the heat of my day…wait…I don’t need to explain how busy I am. You’re a mom, only moms know how truly busy we are. So in the heat of the day my reply is somewhere between, “Ummm, uh I know this one,” and looking like a deer caught in headlights. So, I thought it would be nice to have all this info in one place a as go-to resource for homeschooling CO-OPs, classes, businesses that offer specials or discounts, and other opportunities. I am aware that this is in NO way a complete list as I simply do not know all that is available. Most of the advertising in homeschooling communities is word of mouth. So please, please, please contact me hobbs_heather@hotmail.com to add to this list.
-CO-OPs come in different schooling styles and sizes. Most of them want you to visit on a school day and/ or participate in some type of interview. They ALL require moms to tutor classes, set-up, clean-up, or have some other responsibilities, thus the name CO-OP. If interested, the time to sign up is usually February through April, depending on the CO-OP.
BASIC in Tega Cay and TLC in Charlotte require that you have a middle schooler or older, but both have classes and nursery for younger siblings. They offer core studies and electives. BASIC offers a drop-off option for high school students as well.
REST Morningstar Homeschoolers CO-OP
Email them here.
Abundant Hope in Pineville,
Lisa Bahrenburg
Peter & Lisa Bahrenburg – email here
CHAPS At Elon Rec Center,
Brenda Jamison Kresak on Facebook
The 4H
Indian Trail Blazers (Homeschool Club)
Guinevere Chadwick
Email here
Scholars of Grace in Charlotte offer enrichment, core, and electives for all ages.
Shanan in Weddington is a Classical Conversation CO-OP.
To find a Classical Conversation in your area look here.
Waxhaw CO-OPs:
There are also CO-OPs that choose to remain secret. If they see you out and about and like you, they ask you to join. Not my style of doing things, but hey, I’m thankful I’m free to educate my children as I see fit. So good for them.
Supplemental core and elective classes are offered at several places (Not CO-OPs.) Prices vary from really inexpensive to Momma or Daddy needs to get a second job. Here are a few:
– The Siskey Y
– The Morrison Y
– Elon Rec Center – P.E. tel:704-540-2426,
– The Homeschool Room in Stallings
– Discovery Place
– Riverbanks Zoo
High school students in NC can take part in what is called “duel enrollment,” where they attend classes at Community Colleges for free.
nJoy Science is a traveling class that meets at various locations
There are also individuals that offer private lessons such as:
Lisa Pave – Living History Lessons
The following are university model home schools. Parents do not have to be on campus. Student can take one or all of their courses here.
Compass in Rock Hill
Lake Point in Rock Hill
Grace Academy in Matthews
Some businesses offer discounted prices and special times for home schooled students. They run according to the traditional public school calendar, and require you to show your home school ID card.
Rays Splash Planet
Thursdays from 12:00-3:00 student can swim for $4.00
Extreme Ice Center Indian Trail-
Thursday (times vary) $7.00
Sky Zone Charlotte
Thursday 1-3 $7.00 per hour.
North Carolina Zoo – Asheboro
Call and make a reservation two weeks in advance and all school-aged children and one tutor gets in for free (NC residents only.)
Riverbanks Zoo – Columbia, SC
Make reservations two weeks in advance, Tutor is free, students $9.00
Discovery place
August 25 students get in for $7.00 and IMAX for an additional $5.00-before tax
Sea Life Aquarium Charlotte Concord
Teacher Thursday. Teachers go free, students $10.00
Biltmore House – Asheville
LEGOLAND Florida
Prices and times vary. They recommend checking websites and calling ahead.
Homeschoolers can participate in sports and activities at any club organization, rec center, and YMCA.
South Carolina homeschoolers can take part in ANY activities offered by their local public school, thanks to the Tim Tebow Law that passed about two years ago. Just contact the principal, and he will let you know what to do.
Carolina Crusaders is a varsity and JV home school football team based in Rock Hill. North Carolina students are invited to play as well.
There are two home school choirs in our area:
CHEA at Christ Covenant in Matthews
Voices of the Carolina’s in Rock Hill
The Matthews/South Charlotte Key Club
The Palmetto Teen Group is “active group with service opportunities as well as social events”
Not sure where to buy your homeschooling stuff? Here are some places I frequent.
The Homeschool Room in Matthews has consigned and new books. This is a really neat store, I recommend visiting even if you do not homeschool.
RainbowResources.com has discounted prices on new books, and WONDERFUL customer service.
You can also try the Facebook page: Charlotte Homeschool Yardsale or Homeschool buyers CO-OP
Parents of Charlotte Area Homeschoolers is a great place to ask questions.
That’s all I have. Please let me know what else to add by commenting below.
Happy Homeschooling!
2 comments
Terrific list! We are a homeschooling family as well, but we are on the Northern side of Charlotte (actually-Lake Norman, but it is close). Up here there are many opportunities as well. Some of the cop-ops include ENRICH, LIFE, WINGS and classical conversations. Full Circle Academy hosts classes for children upper elementary to high school. We also use the local parks and recreation departments a lot! Latta Plantation Nature preserve, McDowell Nature Preserve and Reedy Creek Nature Preserve have a whole host of amazing classes.
Charlotte is an amazing area to be in as a homeschooler. We have a ton of opportunities-actually, so many that we have to narrow it down each year!
Just FYI, Shanan in Weddington is a CLASSICAL model cooperative, but NOT a part of CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS.