Why are homeschool classes so expensive?!?!?

[Gamom3]

I am on a e-loop that talks about homeschool classes around Atlanta. One class cost is $50+ a month for one student and that doesn't include curriculum! Why so expensive!?!?!?
Come on..we ARE homeschooling families and 99% of us live on one income!

[mommaduck]

I have no idea. When I taught a class, I had everyone acquire their own supplies and then charged a nominal fee simply to cover what little I may have to get for the class later. Ended up that one girl had ruined material and I replaced it using that money. I wasn't out to make anything off of the class...it was a way of benefiting others.

We've avoided alot of coops because of the cost factor.

[Night Elf]

I wish I knew. The best value I found was Timothy Ministry classes at First Baptist Church of Woodstock. I was bummed when we moved.

I find it even more difficult to locate secular classes. My children do not want to participate in classes that are religious even the slightest bit. I really wish Georgia would allow part-time enrollment in public schools. I even tried asking private schools if I could do part-time, but they can't allow it because of state laws. Bah humbug!

[Kat in GA]

We are in the Atlanta area as well...and I think there are many facets to the answer to your question...and I'll just try and tackle my own perspective.

I teach high school Latin to homeschoolers. My charges are in that bracket you mention of more than $50 a month. I arrived at my fees based on what I saw other language teachers charging...and then I have to look at the amount of time I have to spend on preparing for the class - lesson plans, examples, creating quizzes, grading quizzes, plus the time in class. What I charge helps me to pay for my own daughter's classes - and my "profit" is minimal. Very minimal :-)

[Elisabeth in IL]

I am on a e-loop that talks about home school classes around Atlanta. One class cost is $50+ a month for one student and that doesn't include curriculum! Why so expensive!?!?!?
Come on..we ARE homeschooling families and 99% of us live on one income!
I'm assuming that most of these classes are being offered by outside sources ie a museum or park district. In those cases they want to cover all their expenses with maybe a little left over. Teachers who teach classes (other than mothers) want to be paid a fair wage for their time. It all just adds up. We have to be carefully consider what we want to spend our money on because we are also a one income family.

[Donovans4]

I think it depends on who is teaching the class. The co-op we belong to hires professional teachers, and I expect to pay accordingly for those classes. We really do get what we pay for, which is high quality classes taught by professionals, who are teaching to make a living. We also participate in some informal classes that we do with other homeschooling families, and we only pay for supplies for those. In a sense we are bartering because we each teach sessions.

To me, $50 per month may or may not be a lot, it depends on who is teaching the class, what their background is, and how many hours of classtime I get for that amount.

LauraD in MN

[Andie]

I am on a e-loop that talks about homeschool classes around Atlanta. One class cost is $50+ a month for one student and that doesn't include curriculum! Why so expensive!?!?!?
Come on..we ARE homeschooling families and 99% of us live on one income!


How many hours of instruction does that cover? Is it an opportunity for a lab environment or something else not easily covered or experienced at home? I can imagine situations where $50/month would be more than reasonable, and others in which it wouldn't be worth it.

Considering that we have NOTHING, nada, zilch available here, I don't get to compare prices, though. :)

[GVA]

When the bills were less, I taught local science classes basically for gas, supplies, purchase of some good references/equipment, and less than $100 profit per semester. So my hourly rate was MUCH less than minimum wage, but I considered it a service to the homeschool community and something that I enjoyed.

Fast forward. Now DH's medical bills are running around $1,000/month even with good insurance (he takes several drugs not on the plan and needs to see specialists not on the plan). I dropped the local science classes. They just didn't pay enough for the amount of effort I put in. I needed to focus on other areas that did pay. I do teach through another local co-op, but they pay better than my science classes did and my development time is significantly less.

Basically if you have someone who is willing to do it as a service, the price will be low, but if they need to make money -- I don't begrudge them a realistic rate for their time. They're not "out to get" the single income families IMHO any more than a piano teacher who charges $15-30/lesson.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

I am on a e-loop that talks about homeschool classes around Atlanta. One class cost is $50+ a month for one student and that doesn't include curriculum! Why so expensive!?!?!?
Come on..we ARE homeschooling families and 99% of us live on one income!

Well, I guess I don't consider $12.50 a lesson to be a whole lot for a teacher to charge. $6.15 an hour is what one makes flipping burgers (which is honorable, please don't misunderstand), not what one makes sharing one's hard-acquired expertise. Or rather *should* make, IMO.

[Amy loves Bud]

I am on a e-loop that talks about homeschool classes around Atlanta. One class cost is $50+ a month for one student and that doesn't include curriculum! Why so expensive!?!?!?
Come on..we ARE homeschooling families and 99% of us live on one income!

It doesn't seem that high to me. Assuming one lesson per week, that's $12.50 per lesson. If the teacher knows his/her stuff and isn't just babysitting, then I think it's a good deal.

Also, I don't believe the fact that we are homeschoolers living on one income really has any bearing on what a class costs. The value is what it is, regardless of if I can afford it, and if the value isn't there, no one will sign up.

I'm sorry it's so frustrating for you. I've just been getting together our orders for next year, and my eyeballs are doing this: :eek: .

[clarkacademy]

I have often wondered the exact thing it seems as if HS things would cost less.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

I have often wondered the exact thing it seems as if HS things would cost less.

Why, though? (Not to put you on the spot, just wondering in general.)

[Jenny in Atl]

Some of the best classes my girls have taken were free... co-ops. But it's a lot of work to find families willing to put in the equal time. I'm struggling with figuring out how to pay for some classes dd12 wants to take in the fall. Each will run about $50 a month and she wants to take four! :001_huh:
She may have to settle for two unless we win the lottery.

[Diana in OR]

I don't think it's that much. Granted, if a student took all their classes that way, you might as well be paying tuition at a private school. However, this school year, I taught a lit class for homeschooled high schoolers. With prep work and class time, I easily spent 4-5 hrs. per week the weeks we had class, and that doesn't count the prep work I did in the summer getting materials and syllabus ready and extra stuff I did during Christmas break and Spring break. I didn't charge anything for the class except $25 for materials. At $50/mo. per student(10 students in the class), I would have made less than $4.00/hour meeting on a weekly basis.

[KarenNC]

Because homeschool classes are not subsidized by taxpayer support or by someone else. The classes that children in public and private schools take are just as costly, they are simply subsidized (in many cases) by someone other than just the folks taking the classes. For public schools, it's the taxes collected from all members of the community. The same is true for things like 4-H, "free" classes at libraries or state-funded museums, etc. For many private religious schools, it is the money collected from all the members of the congregation. This spreads out the cost.

[amy g.]

That is what I pay for outside classes.

My oldest 3 will be taking six $50 a month classes next year.

YIKES!

I feel like it is worth the price for an awesome teacher.

[Mommieeeee]

$50 is very affordable in my opinion. There is a local homeschool school that offers classes. There are usually 6 classes, once a week for six weeks and 1.5 hours each. They cost $125 for the classes! That is 13.25 an hour, which is not bad. But, if you want to consistently sign up for classes (one quarter), 3 months would be $250 for one class!

[Kari C in SC]

Before we moved from Florida, we did several co-ops. In the beginning, the classes were about $3 a class. That was pretty reasonable except if you had many children and had to pay for all of it up front. We were able to pay that and did it for a good many years. There was a few teachers there that were "professionals". Their classes were more. I paid the extra fee to get the "professional" science class. Then we changed co-ops. I taught a science class and I believe I charged $3 a class maybe $4. I am not a professional. Just a mom that pulled together a whole bunch of fun science experiments. I think my dd learned more because I really tried to pull stuff together. Some of those "professionals" taught the same stuff year after year. It was their program and they didn't change it up. Time went on and the co-op I taught at decided to do something radical. The owner of it realized that gas was going up and money was getting tight for so many. She asked the teachers to agree to teach the classes for $5 per class per month. She asked people to donate supplies. If there were other supplies like curriculum that had to be purchases that was in addition to the $5 a month. Many of the teachers left the co-op. They were not going to teach a class for ONLY $5 a month. You know what? A lot of other teachers came forward. Now with the classes being only $5 a month, they could afford for their kids to go all day if they just taught a class. The owner of this co-op took a lot of grief for making this change. I really think she did an amazing thing. Obviously, there are professionals out there that offer wonderful services. There are also professionals that see this as something to cash in on. You just have to decide which it is and what cost you are willing to pay. We have moved to SC now and I am hoping that once I get my feet planted here - we can have a low-cost co-op. I really believe the kids learn a ton even at a low cost.

[transientChris]

My kids take two types of classes. In one type, they pay about 30, 35 a month plus a supply fee, plus a registration fee. Is it a lot? Not too much for me but my daughter got a very good education in those two classes. My other daughter was taking parent led co-op classes which cost 25 a month for three classes and no extra activity fee. Those classes were good too but I can see why the upper level classes cost more. The teachers did a lot of work outside of class. Children who took science classes with the one teacher who did Bio and Chem using BJU materials came out and scored well on AP tests. But you have to understand that for some of us, it is a choce between homeschooling with co-ops and lessons or private schools or online courses which are even more expensive or similarly expensive. At this point in my life, I have more money then I do energy or time. Many others have the same.

[LizzyBee]

At our homeschool store, the cost of high school classes was increased to $60 per month for the 2008-2009 school year. They are not co-op classes; they are classes where you drop off your children and someone else does all the preparation and teaching. It's not worth the teacher's time if they cannot make a decent amount of money, and part of the fee goes to the homeschool store as rent.

[Michelle My Bell]

If we pay for it, then we deserve it. I mean if we are going to pay top dollar for something, then the demand is there. I personally am very limited in what I can and will do. I just don't have the finances to be able to spend top dollar on additional activities for my kids. I can barely afford the gas it requires to get them there.

MIchelle

[Tammyla]

Is there a volunteer possibility or scholarships? fwiw, many co-op charge because it encourages people to show up and ensures the classes success.. Hope you find a way to participate.

[mommaduck]

I wonder how many in this thread only have one or two children?

$50 is nothing when you are talking one child. When you have a handful of children though, there is no point.

It would make sense to find what each parent is capable of and have classes based on that. If each parent put in equal time and taught a class, then that would be well worth for having their children in the other classes. Then cost is merely for supplies and on the parents.

[Plaid Dad]

$50 a month for a qualified teacher is a steal. I charge that much per hour.

Let me put that into perspective for you: once you figure in prep time, travel time, gas, and materials, my hourly rate drops to around - and in some cases actually below - my state's minimum wage.

I sympathize with the OP's frustration. My own family could not afford to hire me! ;) But I think there may be some seriously unrealistic expectations about what goes into preparing for and teaching a class of any sort - and what that means for the teacher's pay.

[Kate CA]

We are in the Atlanta area as well...and I think there are many facets to the answer to your question...and I'll just try and tackle my own perspective.

I teach high school Latin to homeschoolers. My charges are in that bracket you mention of more than $50 a month. I arrived at my fees based on what I saw other language teachers charging...and then I have to look at the amount of time I have to spend on preparing for the class - lesson plans, examples, creating quizzes, grading quizzes, plus the time in class. What I charge helps me to pay for my own daughter's classes - and my "profit" is minimal. Very minimal :-)

I want to say that I understand why you charge what you do. I know the kind of time it takes to put together a quality program, lessons, etc., and $50 a month is really a great price!

Our piano lessons are $60 a month for a 1/2 hour lesson every week. He is worth every dime!

Besides, have you seen the online tutorials? They are hundreds of dollars for a semester. While I really do understand that $50 is not possible for many single-income families, $50 is just not that much (for the teacher) anymore. :)

[readwithem]

$50 a month for a qualified teacher is a steal. I charge that much per hour.

Let me put that into perspective for you: once you figure in prep time, travel time, gas, and materials, my hourly rate drops to around - and in some cases actually below - my state's minimum wage.

I sympathize with the OP's frustration. My own family could not afford to hire me! ;) But I think there may be some seriously unrealistic expectations about what goes into preparing for and teaching a class of any sort - and what that means for the teacher's pay.

LOL about your family not being able to afford you :)

But I totally agree with your post. We've had to make some serious financial decisions for next year - my dd will be in 11th grade - we'll probably spend more in outside classes next year than I've spent for the past 3 years total in books. But as a family we decided that was the best way to handle her math and a few other courses - it's cheaper than therapy which we would both need if we tried to do Pre Calc at home :)

[KarenNC]

Obviously, there are professionals out there that offer wonderful services. There are also professionals that see this as something to cash in on.

I think it is a wonderful service and gift of expertise and time when those with professional expertise and experience offer to give classes for free or very low cost, but I don't see any reason to expect that this should be the norm just because it's homeschooling-related. Charging a fair fee for services rendered is not "seeing this as something to cash in on" in my opinion. All of us made a conscious lifestyle choice when we chose to homeschool rather than avail ourselves of the public (very low cost) education supported by our taxes. For me, it was a good choice, but I also knew that it involved taking on the responsibility and expense of things that are otherwise tax-supported---curricula, classes, activities, etc.--and, usually, choosing to do so on one income.

[KarenNC]

I wonder how many in this thread only have one or two children?

$50 is nothing when you are talking one child. When you have a handful of children though, there is no point.

It would make sense to find what each parent is capable of and have classes based on that. If each parent put in equal time and taught a class, then that would be well worth for having their children in the other classes. Then cost is merely for supplies and on the parents.

Again, it is part of a lifestyle choice. When one chooses to have multiple children, one expects that it is going to cost more to clothe, feed and educate six children than one child. That is an inescapable consequence of one's lifestyle choice. There are other consequences of choosing to only have one or two children. One also realizes that one is going to have to make decisions between doing things for different children based on age, interest, cost, etc. We are running into that in our group with folks who are having to make decisions about whether one child participates in an activity because their other child of a different age has other needs at the time.

"Free" classes aren't free---you are exchanging your labor directly for the class rather than being paid for labor in another job and then exchanging that money earned to pay for the class. Everything has a cost in the end, some are just more apparent than others.

Consider that "if each parent put in equal time and taught a class", you are actually shifting the labor costs disproportionately on those families who have fewer children. For the same amount of labor (teaching a class), I would receive the services for one child while you could receive the same level of services for six children (IIRC). I would be "paying" much, much more per child for the same level of service. Again, that is a fact of life for the family with one child in a situation that is more heavily weighted toward larger families.

[mommaduck]

I'm sorry, I have to laugh at your comparison to clothing children :) I clothe all of my children for much less than most people spend on one or two children. Clothes can be bought second hand; clothes can be handed down. Lifestyle choices, yes.

Exchanging of labour costs could be balanced out in that your one child could take a variety of classes (say 5 different classes), where I would only be able to enter 5 of my children one class each. 5 and 5. Not so unbalanced, I'd say.

[Kari C in SC]

I think it is a wonderful service and gift of expertise and time when those with professional expertise and experience offer to give classes for free or very low cost, but I don't see any reason to expect that this should be the norm just because it's homeschooling-related. Charging a fair fee for services rendered is not "seeing this as something to cash in on" in my opinion. All of us made a conscious lifestyle choice when we chose to homeschool rather than avail ourselves of the public (very low cost) education supported by our taxes. For me, it was a good choice, but I also knew that it involved taking on the responsibility and expense of things that are otherwise tax-supported---curricula, classes, activities, etc.--and, usually, choosing to do so on one income.

I think maybe I worded it wrong. I know of other homeschool moms that know how to do a certain thing - say they are really good at doing art projects. These moms (some of them my very good friends) started out teaching a co-op for a place to take their kids - to get socialized or try a new skill. In the beginning they just hoped to make enough to cover their cost for their kids to take classes, their supplies and their gas. Then they got to thinking that if they could get 12 kids in each class, charge them $6 a class, teach 4 classes a day, they could make a lot of money. Their direction changed from where they originally started. They are the same teacher they were when they started at co-op just hoping to provide socialization or a skill for their kids. Then money crept in and took over. I am NOT saying this is everyone or every class at all. I am saying this is what happened in my co-op experience. I paid a very hefty tuition fee for my dd to take dance classes once. I made the choice to pay the fees. I don't think bad of anyone who does this. I am just talking about how in my co-op filled county, homeschool moms started to get really greedy. Sad, but very true. Then there were other homeschool moms that tried to get back to what it was all about in the first place - lessons for our kids.

[KarenNC]

I'm sorry, I have to laugh at your comparison to clothing children :) I clothe all of my children for much less than most people spend on one or two children. Clothes can be bought second hand; clothes can be handed down. Lifestyle choices, yes.

Exchanging of labour costs could be balanced out in that your one child could take a variety of classes (say 5 different classes), where I would only be able to enter 5 of my children one class each. 5 and 5. Not so unbalanced, I'd say.

So what makes that less reasonable than everyone who takes a class paying the same amount for a class regardless of how many children they have? It *is* all about lifestyle choices and what one is able/willing to pay. If I can't afford the time to teach or have the expertise/willingness to do so, my child doesn't take those classes. If I can't afford the $50, my child doesn't take the class.

In the co-op we are starting, it will be a mix of professionally led classes (some that cost more than $50 per month) and parent led classes/activities. Those who choose to take the professionally led classes will pay the teacher's fee in addition to the base costs for accessing the other activities (family membership in our group, a per child activity fee used as a donation to the church, materials fees for other parent led classes they may choose to take).

As to feeding and clothing, if it weren't for hand-me-downs, thrift stores, yard sales and the occasional gift from grandma, my child (and my husband and myself) would be naked:scared:, and if not for coupons, discount stores and frugal cooking we would not eat, so I would gladly accept the challenge to feed and clothe my one for less than you feed and clothe your 5 ;). Also, let me assure you that $50 per class is far from "nothing" to this family with only one child! I wouldn't jump to assume that folks with only one or two children are free spenders who are rolling in money and buy everything new at the mall.:001_smile:

[KarenNC]

I know of other homeschool moms that know how to do a certain thing - say they are really good at doing art projects. These moms (some of them my very good friends) started out teaching a co-op for a place to take their kids - to get socialized or try a new skill. In the beginning they just hoped to make enough to cover their cost for their kids to take classes, their supplies and their gas. Then they got to thinking that if they could get 12 kids in each class, charge them $6 a class, teach 4 classes a day, they could make a lot of money. Their direction changed from where they originally started.

Sounds entrepreneurial to me rather than greedy. No different than many, many people who take a skill (you said they were "really good at art projects") and try to start a business with it in order to supplement their family income, whether it be teaching piano (or art), baking cakes, catering, doing a daycare, etc. Time will tell whether there will be enough demand for it or not.

[transientChris]

All of us here have different circumstances. We can't make any assumptions about all of us being low income or high income or middle income. Some have one child and struggle. Some have many children and high incomes. SOme have grandparents who help out. Some have a husband who has a good income. Some have property that has been left to them. As more and more people homeschool, there will be greater differences in styles and resources. We are still military and have a certain level of income. When my husbands retires, we may have a lot more or maybe not. Currently I feel that with our very stressful family situation, the one thing that has gone very well for us this year is the outside classes and coop. With no let up in stress in the forecast, I plan to continue to use those and in fact, greater use of those next year. It is worth it to us.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

All of us here have different circumstances. We can't make any assumptions about all of us being low income or high income or middle income. Some have one child and struggle. Some have many children and high incomes.

Yep, yep, yep.

[Kathy in MD]

I don't think it's that much. Granted, if a student took all their classes that way, you might as well be paying tuition at a private school.

Private school often costs over a thousand a month, expecially once you're out of the primary years. Some are closer to two thousand. $50 per month for even 7 classes is still a steal at $350.

[betty]

Currently, I get paid quite a bit to teach very part time (2 mornings a week) at a private school. It's a strain to work out child care arrangements to do this, but my family needs the money. After school tutoring in Math and Foreign Languages in my area is $60/hour. I know I couldn't get that from homeschoolers. But if I set up a group class I'd expect to be paid similar to what I get at the private school. I have 3 degrees and expect to be compensated for my expertise. Similarly, I've had to seek out "experts" for my children on occasion. If I can't afford it, I forgo the classes.

Like someone said we all make choices to afford the homeschool lifestyle. I wouldn't teach at the private school if my family didn't need it. I had to go searching for this job and at the time I was thinking I would have to enroll my kids in public school. I was quite lucky to find and negotiate what I got. The schedule juggling is awful those two days, but doing this makes things work for us. Additionally, I teach swimming on Sat am at the Y--the pay is substantially lower than the other job, but this gives me huge discounts on sports programs for my kids.

[Mamagistra]

Sha...well, I had hoped to sign each of my older dds up for an art class at an art school in the big city this summer. :auto: I didn't mind shelling out for the classes...until dee-aitch pointed out that the fuel alone would equal the cost of one class. :rolleyes:

Sigh.

I'll just purchase loads of art supplies instead. :001_smile:

ETA: Sorry...this wasn't specifically a homeschooling class, but it was expensive...

[mcconnellboys]

Wait 'till you see how much the high school classes cost, LOL! They're as much as college classes. That's why I finally opted to just do dual credit courses. More bang for your buck. Why not get double credit for the same money if you can? All the online schools are majorly expensive, too, but then so are programs for "gifted" education offered through Johns Hopkins, Duke, etc......

[mommaduck]

I wasn't saying that as a challenge to anyone with one child. Most of the time though, the people that pull out the "clothing number of children" card and "lifestyle choices", they ARE the people that have one child and living a "my kid has all the extras" life. Glad to hear you're another frugal mama ;)

I'm not saying that people aren't worth their time. There are certain classes I would be willing to pay for if I could. There are also certain classes or coop type situations that I feel would be better for everyone to see it as volunteer or a way of being of service to their community. The area we lived in before moving here there was a mix of "well to dos" and those that made great sacrifices to homeschool their children (and their reasons were mostly religious, thus other types of schooling were not options). Due to that, an exchange of skills and teaching opportunities benefited everyone in one way or another. Granted there were classes that some people steered away from due to them being the higher cost classes and not seen as an essential (karate, dance).

[Snickerdoodle]

In some places there aren't even enough homeschoolers around to have a coop. This makes me think that either we are going to have to get creative or make do without.

Don't get me wrong. What I have read about coops makes them seem like a wonderful thing. But are they really so necessary that if for financial reasons a family could not join a coop, it would prove disastrous to a child's educational career?

[Joanne]

I am on a e-loop that talks about homeschool classes around Atlanta. One class cost is $50+ a month for one student and that doesn't include curriculum! Why so expensive!?!?!?
Come on..we ARE homeschooling families and 99% of us live on one income!

Hm. I'm on a very strict budget, have 3 kids of my own and teach several more.

I'll be enrolling my oldest in a homeschool class (math) next fall @$50 a month for 2 days a week. It will be hard to fit it in financially but I still think it's a bargain. I especially like that my enrollment will assist another homeschooling family.

I don't believe that "just because" we are homeschoolers, we should offer services at less than market prices or for free.

[Caroline]

I tutor high school math in the Atlanta area. I charge $60/hour and I have a waiting list. I think $50 a month is a bargain.

[Night Elf]

Some of the best classes my girls have taken were free... co-ops. But it's a lot of work to find families willing to put in the equal time.

Yeah, I've tried unsuccessfully to find a co-op. When I tried to create one, I couldn't find a single parent that was willing to help me. They said how nice it would be to just drop their children off so they could do things alone. I ran into the same problem when I tried to create a homeschoolers girl scout troop. I ended up walking away from both ideas. And would you believe I had a couple of women really ticked off at me for changing my mind?? They simply couldn't understand why I didn't want to shoulder all the responsibility.

Anyway, I totally understand people offering homeschool classes at decent rates. I just can't afford the classes no matter how much I'd love to support the homeschooling lifestyle. I need money as much as they do I guess. Which is why I wanted to do a co-op with just 2 or 3 families. We're either flat broke with a couple of activities going, or lonely with some money to spend. So we go to the bookstore and Game Stop alot. :tongue_smilie:

[KarenNC]

Don't get me wrong. What I have read about coops makes them seem like a wonderful thing. But are they really so necessary that if for financial reasons a family could not join a coop, it would prove disastrous to a child's educational career?

No, I don't think so at all. Team sports is a wonderful thing, but a child can manage to do quite well without being on the football or soccer team, also. I think they can be a nice option if they are available and fit into your schedule/budget/etc. Here in NC, at least, they cannot take the place of the regular instruction by the parent, but instead are enrichment.

That's a good thing :001_smile:. Our reality is that, while there are lots of co-ops in the area, almost all of them are religion-specific and require signing a statement of faith to join. Given that they don't want the statement I would be willing to make ;), they are not feasible for us regardless of cost. That's why I am excited that our inclusive group is giving some activities a try.

[KarenNC]

I don't believe that "just because" we are homeschoolers, we should offer services at less than market prices or for free.

Absolutely.

[Kate CA]

Yeah, I've tried unsuccessfully to find a co-op. When I tried to create one, I couldn't find a single parent that was willing to help me. They said how nice it would be to just drop their children off so they could do things alone. I ran into the same problem when I tried to create a homeschoolers girl scout troop. I ended up walking away from both ideas. And would you believe I had a couple of women really ticked off at me for changing my mind?? They simply couldn't understand why I didn't want to shoulder all the responsibility.



This must have been really discouraging. I am in a co-op where all the moms do their share. We try to keep the $ down and do so pretty well. I find it simply shocking that moms would assume YOU should take the responsibility for *their* children while they go shopping. Wow.

[KarenNC]

Yeah, I've tried unsuccessfully to find a co-op. When I tried to create one, I couldn't find a single parent that was willing to help me. They said how nice it would be to just drop their children off so they could do things alone. I ran into the same problem when I tried to create a homeschoolers girl scout troop. I ended up walking away from both ideas. And would you believe I had a couple of women really ticked off at me for changing my mind?? They simply couldn't understand why I didn't want to shoulder all the responsibility.

Unfortunately, the "consumer" rather than "co-creator" attitude seems to be particularly rife in our society. There's a local co-op that has been going for a few years that is currently falling apart for just this reason---parents are using it only as a drop-off and they are having issues with discipline, property damage to the church where they meet, etc.

Again unfortunately, I have seen how little some folks actually value that for which they do not pay or pay very little. We have a woman who tried to offer a language class and another who tried to offer music classes for free (or very little, can't remember), but people treated them extremely casually and as if they had little value---attended only when they felt like it, didn't require their children to do any of the home assignments or practice, etc. The stated reason for some of this behavior was indeed that "well, it's not like I'm paying a lot for it, so we just decided we felt like staying home today." This negatively impacts everyone trying to take the class and is disrespectful of the time and effort put forth by the teacher to prepare for all the students. The parents did not feel they had an investment in the class. Some people will take it seriously, but a lot don't feel that things are worth much if they don't cost much.

[Amy loves Bud]

In some places there aren't even enough homeschoolers around to have a coop. This makes me think that either we are going to have to get creative or make do without.

Don't get me wrong. What I have read about coops makes them seem like a wonderful thing. But are they really so necessary that if for financial reasons a family could not join a coop, it would prove disastrous to a child's educational career?

No, they are not that necessary! In fact, for me I think they would detract from what we are doing. I have three children (one's a baby, so only two homeschooling). I budget $100 per child per month for extras. Right now we are spending about $80 total - $70 for my artsy daughter's art class, and $10 for my son's rec league soccer. These are things I really can't do myself. But otherwise, I prefer to teach them at home rather than join the classes. And they are fine, as, I would assume, many other children of this board are.

No worries!

[angela in ohio]

Every family has to make choices. We afford things like that by forgoing haircuts, new clothes, a nice house, and vacations, LOL. Basically, it is about supply and demand, about each of us making choices with unlimited desires and limited resources.

Also, you really do get what you pay for. I have tried co-ops to keep costs down, but the classes were not worth our time. I prefer to pay someone and then earn the money by offering my own services, like Joanne said. It seems more equitable than having a co-op where everyone gets the same thing, no matter whether they are willing to work hard or not. I like to have the market keep people working hard. Back to economics - it's a capitalism vs. socialism thing, I guess. :001_smile:

[mommaduck]

It's "socialism" to try and help another family out or to work together as a group of families?! To require and demand it for everyone, yes. Otherwise, no.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

It's "socialism" to try and help another family out or to work together as a group of families?! To require and demand it for everyone, yes. Otherwise, no.

Umm, well, people can voluntarily join groups that use a socialist model. It would just be an intentional community.

ETA: This isn't meant to try to be the last word, or anything. Just wanted to further the discussion with another viewpoint.

[mommaduck]

Just the way it was worded created an either or situation. You can have both. And it doesn't have to be given a negative spin to want to make somethings available for those that have less. And believe it or not, it's not always about lifestyle choices. There are families where a spouse dies, gets sick, or loses a job and then certain things become unavailable. It's nice when families are willing to work together to make it possible for those children to benefit even in the midst of family hardship.

[Kathleen in VA]

We pay $55/lesson for my daughter's piano lessons. Her previous teacher, a young lady from church, took from the same expensive teacher for about 3 years and played well enough to get into some very competitive conservatories as well as be offered a full scholarship to a local university (which she took). Hopefully, my daughter will be able to pursue her dreams in music due to having such an accomplished, effective teacher. I'm willing to pay to find out.

That's $220/month for four lessons. I think $50/month for a quality class is an awesome deal.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Just the way it was worded created an either or situation. You can have both. And it doesn't have to be given a negative spin to want to make somethings available for those that have less. And believe it or not, it's not always about lifestyle choices. There are families where a spouse dies, gets sick, or loses a job and then certain things become unavailable. It's nice when families are willing to work together to make it possible for those children to benefit even in the midst of family hardship.


Oh, I see. I guess I didn't see socialistic as being a negative. Not everyone on here equates capitalist with "always good" and socialist with "always evil." I'm one of those, though I do think I'm in favor of the capitalist model 95% of the time. (A good hybrid can be good, as well, like the social medical model of Germany.)

So I didn't see the comparison as being positive vs. negative. And I do think socialist models can be completely voluntary.

[mommaduck]

I agree on a good hybrid ;) It's just how it can come across depending on how it's said.

[Night Elf]

This must have been really discouraging. I am in a co-op where all the moms do their share. We try to keep the $ down and do so pretty well. I find it simply shocking that moms would assume YOU should take the responsibility for *their* children while they go shopping. Wow.

I believe they thought their hearts were in the right place. I was up front about why I wanted a co-op. I wanted a group of kids that my kids could be with on a regular basis and I wanted it in a structured environment. I even offered my house thinking we could set up centers in the different rooms and have the kids rotate. I didn't intend for it to be like park days where the kids would go off playing and the moms sit at a picnic table and talk. Maybe the moms I talked to thought other moms would step up and help.

With the Girl Scout thing, I did get an explanation from one mom about why she wouldn't participate. She said she was with her kid all day and needed a break. That was definitely *not* what I had in mind. I really wanted my daughter to have friends but that seemed like a really bad way to go about it.

[Gamom3]

I would love to start some classes with other homeschoolers!

Yeah, I've tried unsuccessfully to find a co-op. When I tried to create one, I couldn't find a single parent that was willing to help me. They said how nice it would be to just drop their children off so they could do things alone. I ran into the same problem when I tried to create a homeschoolers girl scout troop. I ended up walking away from both ideas. And would you believe I had a couple of women really ticked off at me for changing my mind?? They simply couldn't understand why I didn't want to shoulder all the responsibility.

Anyway, I totally understand people offering homeschool classes at decent rates. I just can't afford the classes no matter how much I'd love to support the homeschooling lifestyle. I need money as much as they do I guess. Which is why I wanted to do a co-op with just 2 or 3 families. We're either flat broke with a couple of activities going, or lonely with some money to spend. So we go to the bookstore and Game Stop alot. :tongue_smilie:


We were and are in a co-op that does not charge a great deal for the classes that they offer.

The one we were in prior to moving..charged $60 a year for the family and they offered awesome classes 2x a week, from math to latin to PE and dance(this was an extra $5!!). To me this is what its about, homeschoolers sticking together helping each other, knowing that we are doing this for our kids and that most of us are a one income family..rather it be large or small income.

The one we are in now, not at all like the one mentioned above. We use it mainly for our kids to get to know other homeschoolers. It runs $85 a year for the family. Classes are 1x a week..these are fun classes nothing that would/should take place of what is to be taught at home.

I would love to see more homeschool classes offered like the ones at our old co-op...for $60 a year or even a little more per year per family.

I am sure the mom's that teach these classes would get extra $$ for tutoring services outside of co-op.

IMO... tutoring and music are/should be in a different category than homeschool classes.

Just my opinion..which I'm sure most will disagree with...which is ok!:D

[Mommieeeee]

Alot of the reasons that I have seen here are the reasons why I am forming my co-op/homeschool classes with both types of parents in mind. For teachers who want to teach classes, their children get a certain amount of classes for free. For parents who want to drop off, the classes will cost about $50-60 each class a month for a 1.5 hour class, once a week. So, a class that meets 4 times a month, for 6 hours total would cost $8.33-10 an hour. Not a bad price in my opinion to drop off your child and get "me" time with your child learning to boot!

[amy g.]

I like our homeschool classes, but I've also had good luck just trading off with other homeschool moms.

I have a friend with a PhD in optical science who is teaching my older kids 2 days a week while I teach her younger kids. She won't even let me pay for their textbooks with anything other than goat cheese!

It is a huge blessing for my kids to have a private tutor who was completely tailors the curriculum to their needs. It's nice for her to spend a little time without clingy toddlers, and get to talk to almost grown-ups.

If the whole co op idea isn't working out, you might try to find one mom that you get along with to trade off with.

[frogpond1]

Planning time, grading time, building costs, and material costs (just for the teacher's materials etc.). Child care can be an issue too. Teaching classes is a lot of work! I think homeschool classes are super cheap compared to what private schools charge for tuition. A private school teacher would get paid a lot more than a co-op teacher including benefits and vacations etc. $50 isn't bad, trust me.

[amy g.]

When my kids were in private school, we paid $1,000 a month in tuition. $500 for a kindergartener, and $500 for one in pre k.

You can bet my husband was thrilled when I decided homeschooling might not be so bad after all!

[Mary in WA]

I am trying to figure out what TO charge this summer for a 3 morning a week Latin class.... A school is paying me $200 a week for four girls, but I don't think I can honestly charge a homeschool mom $50 a week to add her one daughter. Do any of you Latin teachers have an idea of a good price?

[Tracey in TX]

I tutor high school math in the Atlanta area. I charge $60/hour and I have a waiting list. I think $50 a month is a bargain.

Tutors for math, reading/phonics, and music are $50-75/hr. Even private soccer or gymnastics lessons is minimum $50/hr. When a person has a specialty, they've earned the right to charge fair market prices. When a person is learning to teach a new skill or subject, the prices should also reflect this (ie new dance teacher $10/hr).

Just like shopping at the grocery store: you get what you pay for! Quality items are typically more expensive than the less desirable products.

[Doran]

Where we live, everything is expensive. We pay $50-60/hr. for music lessons and $45/hr for tutoring for my dyslexic child. Cost of living is also high which shows up in the cost for homes. Everything affects everything, kwim?

When you take a fee like $50/mo. and break it down to an hourly rate, it seems more reasonable. My hunch is that Atlanta is also an expensive area, which means that instructors have to charge more just to recoup their time and materials (when applicable). What teacher is worth less than $12.50/hour?

In then end, though, we simply can't afford to send our kids to many of the extras that come our way. We'd like to, but it's just not in our budget. Music lessons are vital to us, as is the tutor. But, our local community college offeres a host of classes that we simply can't partake of because they're out of our league in a cumulative sense. Sure, if we gave up something else. But, we've had to priortize and the CC classes don't make the list.

Sad, but true.

[gardenschooler]

It's cheaper than therapy which we would both need if we tried to do Pre Calc at home :)

That it is. Thanks, now I can justify spending the money! :lol:

[Patty Joanna]

I don't mean to be rude in any way on this one, so please don't read this as a "rude" comment.

I don't think this is a lot of money, because frankly, 20 students in a class x $50 per month isn't enough to make me sign up to do the work, make the time commitment, or put up with the aggravation (mostly from NSF checks and class discipline issues) required to earn it if I were to be asked to teach a class. (I would be teaching a writing class, given my background, or possibly a business class...) If it were worth it to me, that would be a good way to earn the money to pay for my kid's tuition.

My son is enrolled in 2 "co-op" situations; one charges between $20 and $30 per month; the other nearly $75 per month, but this one is much closer to "tutoring" in nature. They are both very good deals. Part of the reason the one can charge $75 is that they teach progymnasmata, Aristotelean logic and I can't really find that anywhere else and I'm not willing to take it on myself. So it's a good deal FOR ME because I value what I am getting--a lot more time to study the things that *do* interest me, and good teachers for my son in what he needs in his education. But if it were out of the range of my ability to pay, I'd pony up my time and effort to make it happen at home. I'm just not a "born teacher"--I'm pretty good at organizing resources, though!

Just out of curiosity, I ran some numbers, and it looks to me like on a "per class, per day" basis, the $50 per month turns out to be the same price as a private school, at least in our area. Eg., $50 per month, for 9 months, for 6 classes, 5 days a week turns out to be somewhere in the $13,500 range...that's the low end for private schools around here.

And that is in the range for "full boat" for public education, as well, depending on your state.

Blabbering on at this point, and not a lot of this matters really; my main point was that for the most part, things cost what it takes to get people to do them.

[gardenschooler]

Private school often costs over a thousand a month, expecially once you're out of the primary years. Some are closer to two thousand. $50 per month for even 7 classes is still a steal at $350.

To make the analogy equal, you'd have to multiply it by 5. The $50 referred to a once a week class.

[Christine]

I am on a e-loop that talks about homeschool classes around Atlanta. One class cost is $50+ a month for one student and that doesn't include curriculum! Why so expensive!?!?!?
Come on..we ARE homeschooling families and 99% of us live on one income!

I have fits about this.

Classes in our area tend to be on a "semester" basis.

There is a class freqently offered for "lit analysis" by a homeschool mom, for $150 / semester meetings once per week and attendees are expected to bring $10 every week to cover the costs of snacks. Books are the responsibility of the students -- and they generally cover only 3 / semester.

It irks me, as this class is of obvious benefit to the offering Mom's child/ren. (Lit analysis, IMO, is best done in a group. AND if she's doing Lit analysis with her child then she's already doing all the prep work for it for them.)

We live in a high cost area. . . but still!

[Myrtle]

It's "socialism" to try and help another family out or to work together as a group of families?! To require and demand it for everyone, yes. Otherwise, no.


So the nerd in me is coming out and I'm surfing all over the internet looking up info on Proudhon, anarcho-syndicalism...:tongue_smilie: I guess it's more books on top of the every growing stack.


What was the original topic? LOL

[Kelli in TN]

No, they are not that necessary! In fact, for me I think they would detract from what we are doing.


But otherwise, I prefer to teach them at home rather than join the classes. And they are fine, as, I would assume, many other children of this board are.

No worries!


I totally agree. It would be a stretch for us financially, but we could afford a coop if I really wanted to join one.

I just can't take the thought of someone else telling me what curriculum to buy. I can't take the the thought of following someone else's schedule.

We just do our own thing. We are sending our high schooler to the CC, but she can drive herself and take care of herself and I will still be free to do my own thing!!

[Myrtle]

for $150 / semester meetings once per week and attendees are expected to bring $10 every week to cover the costs of snacks. 9

Holy Guacamole, Batman, that's some expensive snacks. Are they eating sushi?

[Christine]

Holy Guacamole, Batman, that's some expensive snacks. Are they eating sushi?

:tongue_smilie:I suspect they are paying for the maid. . .;) (so she doesn't have to clean her home before these teens arrive)

[AmyinPA]

I am trying to figure out what TO charge this summer for a 3 morning a week Latin class.... A school is paying me $200 a week for four girls, but I don't think I can honestly charge a homeschool mom $50 a week to add her one daughter. Do any of you Latin teachers have an idea of a good price?

and I'm charging $140 per semester for the secondary students and $120 for elementary students. The cost difference reflects the amount of prep-work that I'll be doing since elementary students will have more review than the older students.

I've thought a lot about the price. My dh thought I was charging too low, but being a HS mom, and always complaining about the costs of "Extras" I decided to drop the price a bit.

However, I didn't want to make it so low that it wouldn't be worth it for me to prepare for the class and do a good job. If I'm not being compensated fairly for my work, I may come to resent it.

I'm providing most of the worksheets and other resources that will be used, so I'm factoring that cost in.

Also, there is a lot of prep time to prepare for a well run and organized class.

Finally, I believe if parents are paying a perceivable amount for the class, they will see to it that their children arrive well-prepared and try to get the most out of it.

After reading these posts, I hope my fellow homeschoolers don't think I'm trying to hamstring them with exhorbatant prices. I really think I picked a fair price.

[mommaduck]

So the nerd in me is coming out and I'm surfing all over the internet looking up info on Proudhon, anarcho-syndicalism...:tongue_smilie: I guess it's more books on top of the every growing stack.


What was the original topic? LOL

Okay, fine, it's socialism...just not in the negative context :tongue_smilie:

(I was running off of no sleep yesterday and I really should have stayed out of controversy)


I'm also realising that we might have two different groups of people discussing two different types of classes.

There are those that are talking about classes that are taught by experts to get their child into a specialised area of college, or to teach a class at a level not even taught in most public or private schools, or to get their child into an extra curricular on a competitive level. I can see paying money for these and how $50 is cheap. In the areas I've lived in though, I have not seen classes like these offered. (this group seems to be the majority on the thread)

Then there are those (and I was part of this group) who thought we were discussing your run of the mill homeschooling group "classes". This is where someone is teaching something that mom can teach, but the classroom model allows for extra fun or at least interaction. Or where a basic language course (think spanish, sign language, or basic latin) is taught. A "karate" and "dance" on the most basic of levels, taught by a highschooler, and simply to count it towards physical education. A mom that spins wool and thought it would offer an unusual experience for kids to learn the basics of this. A mom that teaches sewing, since it's a basic skill, but most of the mothers don't have this skill themselves. Students in some of these classes include both parents and children as students, not just the children. For these types of classes, I would not pay $50 per month. If I wanted to pay this amount or higher for these types of things, I would sign up with a Dojo for Karate, a private tutor for Latin or Piano, a Studio for Ballet, and a wool shop for spinning.

So how's that for talking past eachother....

[TraceyS/FL]

Well, i'll chime in! LOL!! :tongue_smilie:

I can assure you - i don't have $50 extra in my budget for a class. I have about $4 extra right now in there.

Because of budget and what we have available to us right now (not a lot), we have decided to go with HomeSat. Even if i just use it for Science next year (i'm not), that is $25/mo for each child. Then add in the foreign language and well, it gets cheaper!

We budget about $100/mo for school (Homesat and books). Normally runs more, but we add to the fund from other areas if we can.

I always say when i win lotto i'm starting a class place. I live in a HUGE retirement community area. I'd like to draw from that pool and have some awesome classes for the kids in the community.

Anyway, i can't gripe about our budget - it is what it is.... i just have to work with it, and this is how we are doing it!

[Night Elf]

IThere is a class freqently offered for "lit analysis" by a homeschool mom, for $150 / semester meetings once per week and attendees are expected to bring $10 every week to cover the costs of snacks. Books are the responsibility of the students -- and they generally cover only 3 / semester.

Wow! How long are the kids there and what are they eating?? $10 per child for snacks? I'd expect a full lunch, with drink, and dessert for that kind of money. Am I cheap?? :eek:

How long is a semester? 12 weeks? The tuition sounds about right, but I think the snack money is a bit extreme.

[Night Elf]

There are those that are talking about classes that are taught by experts to get their child into a specialised area of college, or to teach a class at a level not even taught in most public or private schools, or to get their child into an extra curricular on a competitive level. I can see paying money for these and how $50 is cheap.

I totally agree. Classes like those are totally different from the next group you are talking about.

Then there are those (and I was part of this group) who thought we were discussing your run of the mill homeschooling group "classes". This is where someone is teaching something that mom can teach, but the classroom model allows for extra fun or at least interaction

Classes that we did in a church homeschool ministry were what I would consider enrichment classes. There were music classes that allowed kids to bang on tube thingees, art classes where kids drew with color pencils and markers, craft classes where they did paperbag and lace type projects, reading classes that read books aloud and did a craft project, etc. Another place I knew of offered the same type classes but the fees were way too expensive. I'm talking $200 for an 8 week class that meets for one hour per week. That's the kind of fee I'd expect for a serious academic class, not a paperbag project!

[st_claire]

I think if the co-ops ran free classes, that would be lovely, but the problem is there are some parents who would never offer a class, only send their kids. These things only work if everyone is willing to do their share, but often there are people who try to take advantage of others. By paying, if you pay $50 for your kids, and then you offer a course and make the $50 back, it all evens out. If another parent never offers a course, they have to pay.

[Elisabeth in IL]

I'm charging $140 per semester for the secondary students and $120 for elementary students. The cost difference reflects the amount of prep-work that I'll be doing since elementary students will have more review than the older students.

I've thought a lot about the price. My dh thought I was charging too low, but being a HS mom, and always complaining about the costs of "Extras" I decided to drop the price a bit.

However, I didn't want to make it so low that it wouldn't be worth it for me to prepare for the class and do a good job. If I'm not being compensated fairly for my work, I may come to resent it.

I'm providing most of the worksheets and other resources that will be used, so I'm factoring that cost in.

Also, there is a lot of prep time to prepare for a well run and organized class.

Finally, I believe if parents are paying a perceivable amount for the class, they will see to it that their children arrive well-prepared and try to get the most out of it.

After reading these posts, I hope my fellow homeschoolers don't think I'm trying to hamstring them with exorbitant prices. I really think I picked a fair price.
FYI I'm paying $20 a week for a Spanish class with just one other family (4 kids total ages 8 to 11). I do not think that you are charging too much. I wish that I could have found a French class around here as I speak French and could have helped them study.

[Susan in TX]

I wonder how many in this thread only have one or two children?

$50 is nothing when you are talking one child. When you have a handful of children though, there is no point.

I think $50 a month for a class is very reasonable. That said, I have 8 dc and we don't do any outside classes because we simply can't afford to. I sent my high schoolers to public school because of this...we simply could not afford the outside classes that I felt would be necessary to homeschooling high school. In retrospect, this has worked out well. My teens are getting an excellent education in public school and enjoying it.

Susan in TX

[Holly IN]

Here is what ours cost in our group...

For high school it is (getting ready to faint)...

$240 to $300 per semester and this is NOT including supplies or materials. :001_rolleyes:

The science classes are the most expensive of them all. They must think we are very very rich.

The elementary classes can range from $50 per student for 12 weeks or for an art class which I had to decline was $150 for 12 weeks per student. :blink:
I can take my kids to a nearby private Christian school for a much cheaper art classes in the evenings.
Holly

[FlockOfSillies]

This is very true. Sometimes business consultants will tell their clients that they should actually raise the prices of their products/services to enhance the perceived value.

In our case, a $45-for-8-weeks "art" class at the local community art center was almost entirely basic crafts I could have done at home. The course description made it sound like the kids would be learning the principles of art through projects, but it was so shallow as to be almost worthless. The ceramics classes there seem to be better, for the same price.

$50 a month sounds reasonable to me, depending on the depth of the subject taught. I don't care as much whether the teacher is merely a "homeschool mom" or a "professional", so long as the material is meaty enough for my kids to be sitting there. If the professional is giving my kids craft sticks and glue for an "art" class, I'm not going to be as happy as I would be if the "homeschool mom" who is an expert seamstress teaches my kids a skill that they can use all their lives. Having said that, people tend to be more willing to fork over the big bucks to "professionals" because there's a higher perceived value in that person's services.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

(I was running off of no sleep yesterday and I really should have stayed out of controversy)

Don't you dare stay out of controversy! We need more people who come back and clarify and re-clarify and engage and evaluate and clarify some more in *every* controversy.

I'm out of rep, but you deserve some for your contributions to this thread.

:hat:

[mommaduck]

Don't you dare stay out of controversy! We need more people who come back and clarify and re-clarify and engage and evaluate and clarify some more in *every* controversy.

I'm out of rep, but you deserve some for your contributions to this thread.

:hat:

Aww, you're sweet! I really was running off of no sleep and I think I took some people wrong...hoping I did. I love the exchange of ideas though.