Support Groups
Homeschoolers have created networks of support to provide a way to make friends, get ideas and information, and to offer positive socialization opportunties to their children. You can join in! There are many groups to choose from, many with specific affiliations, like Christian groups or unschoolers' groups. Some are eclectic, inclusive, and open to anyone. Whatever your interest, you are sure to find other like-minded parents. And if you don't find what you are looking for, we've put together tips for starting your own group.
Local & State Groups
Support groups offer a way for those interested in homeschooling or new to home education to get information and support. They also offer opportunities for social activities, group learning, and networking. Find a support group near you in Maryland.
National Groups
Tap into the national homeschool movement by connecting with these national homeschool groups and support organizations.
Social Media
Connect with other homeschooling using social networking tools. You can share tips and ideas, get support, collaborate on lesson plans, upload photos, and much more.
Co-Ops
A co-op offers a way to share teaching duties with others who are excited and knowledgeable about a subject. It also offers an opportunity for your children to learn in a group and to make friends. Browse through this list of co-ops in Maryland.
Umbrella/Cover Schools
An umbrella or cover school provides an alternative way for parents to fulfill governmental educational guidelines and requirements. Most offer a variety of services, which can include curricula, social activities, field trips, standardized testing, portfolio reviews, evaluations, and graduation materials, including diplomas. While umbrella schools do tend to the needs of homeschoolers, they are considered a type of private school in most states.
Resource Centers
Homeschool resource centers offer classes, materials, field trips, and other activities for parents and children alike. They are great ways to get new information, engage in group activities, and network with other homeschoolers.
Public School Programs
Public schools are increasing offering programs to appeal to homeschooling families, from classes to educational materials to computer and distance learning. In most cases, students enrolled in these programs are considered public school students rather than homeschoolers. Learn more about these programs and decide if these are right for your family.
Group Management
Learn how to start and manage a homeschool support group, including how to stay organized, how to handle conflict, and ideas for your support group.
What's Popular
TORCH of Libertytown
TORCH of Libertytown is a chapter of the national TORCH group, a Catholic homeschool group. Offers monthly meetings, boys' and girls' clubs, field trips, a co-op, science fair, and more.
Unschooling Family Connection
The Unschooling Family Connection is a support group in Montgomery and Frederick Counties in Maryland. It was founded in order to to provide support for unschooling parents, along with activities, socialization, and fun for the children. They offer field trips, park days, celebrations, and online
support.
Delmarva Unschoolers
Unschoolers on Marylands Eastern Shore. This is a secular discussion list and a list for posting activities and get togethers. This group focuses on communicating and getting together with other unschoolers on Delmarva for socialization, support, and information.
Teens, Tweens, & Company of Northern NJ
Teens, Tweens, & Company of Northern NJ is a group that facilitates older activities aimed at middle/high schoolers. This is a network aimed at teens and their siblings. They aim to engage all of the children, but are particularly focused on the older ones, who, many times, get lost in the shuffle. Everyone is encouraged to meet up whenever, not just on meeting days. Teenagers are a social breed & they are hoping to fill this need, as well as get them involved in more formal activities. Members ...
North County Home Educators (NCHE)
NCHE is a support group for families in Maryland who have an interest in home education. Most of the meetings are in the northern part of Anne Arundel County, but membership is open to everyone.
Capital Area Homeschooling Community
The Capital Area Homeschooling Community is a homeschooling support community which connects homeschoolers of color throughout the Washington, D.C. area.
Delaware Classical Home Educators Network Discussion Group
This is discussion loop is intended as an on-line extension of the classical network group forming in the DE-MD-NJ-PA area. This group is for those following the classical homeschooling education model, such as described in "The Well Trained Mind" (Jessie Wise and Susan Bauer) or similar method.
Howard County Home Educators (e-HCHE)
Howard County Home Educators is a network of homeschoolers in Howard County, Maryland. The majority of the members live in the Columbia, Clarksville, Ellicott City areas. Provides support, information, cooperative learning experiences, homeschooling advocacy, newsletter, and friendship.
CM-LowerEasternShoreMD
This group is for the members of the Charlotte Mason Study Group of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Southern Maryland Homeschool Network (SMHN)
Email list for SMHN, Southern Maryland Homeschool Network, a network of homeschool groups and individuals home educating in Maryland.
Heritage Home School Association
HERITAGE is a group of homeschoolers meeting once a month to encourage one another toward love, good teaching, and an abundant life in Christ. The term HERITAGE stands for Home Educators Restoring In Truth A Godly Education. This support group serves Montgomery County, Maryland, including Rockville, Gaithersburg, Derwood, and Kensington.
SMHomeschool
This group is for those living in Southern Maryland that homeschool or are thinking of homeschooling their child/children.
Montgomery County TORCH Homeschool Group
Montgomery County TORCH is a group of faithful families in and around Montgomery County, Maryland, providing for their children's primary education at home. The group's goal is to support the spiritual, moral, mental, and social needs of Catholic homeschooling families. Offers holiday events, girls' and boys' clubs, field trips, family events, and more.
Tri-State Homeschool Network
Tri-State Homeschool Network is a support group that serves the northern Delaware, northeastern Maryland, southwestern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania region. Their purpose is to further the cause of homeschooling, with emphasis from the viewpoint of Christian families.
Culture at Home
Culture at Home is an African American homeschool support group in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area with an emphasis on the older homeschooled student. Culture at Home is a support group for families concerned with the healthy well-being and academic guidance of the African-American child. The purpose of this group is to provide an educational outreach support program and to supplement the curriculum of homeschoolers with children ages 10-18 (grades 5-12), but they also provide ...
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