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 Massachusetts.
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 Massachusetts.
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
Family Educators Resource Network FERN (FERNetwork)
FERN is an informal networking group for home educators in the areas of Columbia, Rensselaer, and Albany counties in New York and in Berkshire county in Massachusetts. FERN operates as a computer-based "newsletter" for activities, resources, and information to support homeschooling families and those interested in home education.
Learning Enrichment Active Fellowship (LEAF)
LEAF is a network of home learners that welcomes all homeschoolers in many communities in south-central Massachusetts, northern Rhode Island and northeastern Connecticut. Offers support and information, along with field trips, events, learning enrichment opportunities, park and beach days, and more.
Cape Cod Homeschoolers
Email list for Cape Cod Homeschoolers, a support group open to all homeschoolers from Cape Cod, Plymouth, and Wareham, Massachusetts. Cape Cod Homeschoolers is a cooperative of homeschooling families that organizes classes, clubs, field trips and other activities.
Springfield MA Homeschool Support
This email group provides support and information to homeschoolers in the Springfield area.
Rhode Island Christian Home Educators (RICHES)
RICHES is an organization of Christian homeschool families in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts who have joined together to encourage one another and to promote educational, cultural, athletic and spiritual growth among our families.
Advocates for Home Education in Massachusetts (AHEM)
Advocates for Home Education in Massachusetts (AHEM) is a nonprofit, independent, grassroots, volunteer-run, educational organization that gathers and disseminates information about homeschooling in Massachusetts through education, advocacy, and events.
MAhomeschoolers
This is an inclusive list for homeschooling families in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Home Learning Association (MHLA)
The Massachusetts Home Learning Association is an advocacy and education organization, which endorses home learning as an alternative to public or private schooling. MHLA informs and educates families, school officials, the media, elected officers, policymakers and other constituencies about the benefits, societal impacts and unique educational methods of homeschoolers.
Homeschooling Together
Homeschooling Together is a loosely organized group of families in the Arlington/Belmont, Massachusetts, area who have home-based learning in common. Offers meetings, a newsletter, an audiotape library, and more.
Always Learning
Discussion for homeschooling fans of John Holt, whose books Learning All the Time, Never Too Late, and Teach your Own have made unschooling an option for thousands of families.
Charlotte Mason in Massachusetts
A group for Homelearners in Massachusetts who are inspired by a Charlotte Mason philosophy.
Massachusetts Home Learning Association (MHLA)
Massachusetts’ oldest statewide homeschool organization sponsors this inclusive list for homeschooling in Massachusetts. As a homeschooling organization, Massachusetts Home Learning Association represents no specific religion, political party or educational philosophy but acts as an information clearinghouse and advocacy organization.
Springfield/West Springfield Homeschool Support
This support group is for home educating parents in the Springfield area.
New England Jewish Homeschoolers
This list is for Jewish homeschoolers in the New England area, including CT, NH, VT, ME, RI, MA. Members include Orthodox Jews, Conservative Jews, Reform Jews, Reconstructionist Jews, and secular Jews.
MA Unschoolers
A support group for unschoolers in MA. This is a friendly, inclusive group for those unschooling or thinking about unschooling. This is not the place for black-and-white thinkers and/or self-appointed gurus. Members should have open minds and Holt-like spirits.
Looking for Another State?
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