A homeschool co-op is a group of families who come together to share teaching, resources, and activities. Parents pool their talents, skills, and time to create a richer learning experience for their children than they might have on their own.

In Montana, parents must submit a Notice of Intent to Homeschool each year to their local county superintendent of schools. This notice should include your child’s name, age, and address, as well as the location where instruction will take place.
You must also:

• Provide at least 180 days of instruction each school year.

• Teach the basic subjects required by Montana law (including language arts, math, social studies, and science).

• Maintain records of attendance and educational progress.

For detailed steps and the official forms, visit the Montana Office of Public Instruction website or contact your county superintendent’s office.

We currently serve Pre-K through 4th grade, and our program will grow each year as our children advance. This ensures age-appropriate learning and a consistent peer group.

The time commitment can vary based on your family’s schedule, your child’s grade level, and the subjects you’re covering.

• For our co-op: Families commit to attending a weekly 2 hour co-op meetup and volunteering in some capacity—teaching, assisting, or helping with events.

• At home: Most homeschool parents spend 1–4 hours per day on structured lessons for elementary-aged children, plus additional time for reading, projects, and field trips.

• The co-op also manages weekly offerings for extracurriculars from foreign language to creative movement.

• Beyond academics: Homeschooling also involves planning lessons, tracking attendance and progress, and staying connected with the homeschooling community. This is where the homeschool co-op is incredibly beneficial.

We encourage parents to remember that learning happens throughout the day, not just during “school hours.”

We utilize the Wild and Free program to guide our lessons during weekly meet-ups. This provides a flexible framework for group activities while allowing for creativity and hands-on learning.

At home, your curriculum choice is entirely up to you. We’re happy to offer support by sharing curriculums we’ve used and loved, but families have the freedom to choose what best fits their children’s learning styles, interests, and educational goals.

Friday meet-up follows a set curriculum designed to provide a balance of academics, creativity, and hands-on learning. Activities may include:

• Arts & Crafts – seasonal projects, creative expression, and skill-building

• Social Studies – history, geography, and cultural exploration

• Nature Play – outdoor learning, nature walks, and environmental awareness

• Science Labs – experiments, STEAM projects, and group investigations

• Community Time – group games, free play, and parties

Our goal is to make Fridays a mix of structured learning and community connection, so children leave feeling inspired, supported, and excited for the next week.

Our co-op meets on Fridays from 10AM-noon throughout the school year, with special events and seasonal celebrations.

Friday Meet-Ups:

• September: 5, 12, 19, 26

• October: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

• November: 7, 14, 21, 28

• December: 5, 12, 19

• January: 9, 16, 23, 30

• February: 6, 13, 20, 27

• March: 6, 13, 20

• April: 3, 10, 17, 24

• May: 1, 8, 15

Parties & Celebrations:

• Halloween Party – October 31

• Holiday Party – December 19

• End of Year BBQ – May 15

Our co-op membership is $50 per quarter (four times per school year), which equals $200 for the full school year. This fee covers shared supplies, facility use, and group activities. We strive to keep costs affordable and provide transparency in how funds are used. Scholarships are available if needed. We don’t want to turn anyone away due to financial constraints.

Fill out our membership interest form on the website, and we’ll contact you. You can also join us at Sam’s Taproom on August 19th - drop by anytime between 4:30-6:30PM to learn more.

Yes. In addition to our Friday co-op days, we offer extracurricular activities during both traditional school hours and after-school times. These may include field trips, sports, clubs, and special interest classes.
We also maintain a Parent Resource Guide where families can find and share information about local classes, sports teams, and extracurricular opportunities to ensure every child has access to a well-rounded education and community life.