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 Virginia.
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 Virginia.
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
Jewish Homeschoolers of Tidewater
This is a support group for Jewish Homeschoolers in the Tidewater are of Virginia.
Bolling Area Home Educators (BAHE)
BAHE is the largest home schooling support group in Washington DC, located in the backyard of our nation's capital on Bolling Air Force Base. Their purpose is to provide support to military home education families in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and the Maryland area. Membership into BAHE is granted to military families that pay annual dues and comply with the EMP (Every Member Participates) in-kind volunteer requirement. They offer classes, field trips, speakers, fellowship, information, and su...
Family Oriented Learning Cooperative (FOLC)
FOLC is a network of eclectic homeschooling families that meet for informal roundtable meetings. Socializing and getting together follows. FOLC is centered in eastern Prince William County, Virginia, with member families from nearby Fairfax and Stafford counties, and the city of Alexandria.
CM Families of the South
The purpose of this loop is to encourage homeschooling families living in the Southern states who are trying to incorporate the philosophy of Charlotte Mason in their homes in their efforts to raise their children with an enthusiasm for learning.
Roanoke Home Educators Network (RHEN)
RHEN is an unstructured network of homeschooling families in the Roanoke area. They offer homeschooling information and opportunities to network with other homeschooling families.
Home Educators Are Restoring Their Heritage (HEARTH)
HEARTH is a Christian support group that provides encouragement to parents who teach their children at home. Offers sharing of curricula and resource information, information about legislative developments that concern homeschoolers, and positive social interaction among their children. HEARTH events are organized and run by members.
CharlotteMasonNOVA
A place for the members of the Charlotte Mason Study Group of Northern Virginia to keep in contact.
VaHomeschoolers
VaHomeschoolers is the Old Dominion's only fully inclusive, member directed, and volunteer driven state association.
VaHomeschoolers is neutral in matters of religion and partisan politics.
VHEA-announce
List intended to distribute the Virginia Home Education Association's free biweekly updates, in order to disseminate legislative and other time sensitive information. This list is announcement only. VHEA's Legislative Reports report on legislative matters that could affect homeschooling, offering information on pending legislation.
Tennessee Homeschool Umbrella Schools
According to the Tennessee education code, homeschoolers have three ways to follow Tennessee homeschool laws. The most popular of these options with homeschool families is to enroll their child in a church-related umbrella school. These schools are operated by denominational, parochial or other church organizations and are required to meet specific standards of accreditation. Umbrella schools in Tennessee are free to choose their own operational procedures. Each school will vary on curriculum op...
homeschooling-in-hamptonroads
This list is a meeting place for homeschoolers in the Hampton Roads, VA area, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
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 ...
SEARCH homeschooling in Tidewater, VA (SEARCHVA)
Inclusive email list for homeschoolers in the southside area of Tidewater, Virginia.
Appalachian Regional Cooperative
Appalachian Regional Cooperative is an inclusive group of homeschoolers in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Blue Ridge Family Unschoolers Network (FUN)
Blue Ridge FUN is an inclusive support group of homeschooling families. All homeschoolers are welcome, without bias to style of homeschooling, choice of curriculum, or personal beliefs. Blue Ridge FUN members live and learn in a large geographical area of Virginia including the following cities and counties: Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Lynchburg, Campbell, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Patrick, Roanoke, Rockbridge, and Salem.
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Featured Resources
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Creative Home Schooling: A Resource Guide for Smart Families
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