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 Washington.
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 Washington.
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
Western Region Unschoolers
The Western Region Unschoolers is a group for unschoolers who live in the Western U.S. covering: Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and California. This is a forum to announce and organize conferences, travel, camping, and other places to get together.
CRU92 · Unschoolers, Tri-Cities, WA
CRU92's purpose is to provide a forum for unschoolers in the Tri-Cities area of Washington state to find and meet each other, and to share information, support and inspiration about unschooling. Ideas shared here will be discussed in order to help members gain a better understanding of unschooling.
Spokane Homeschoolers—Homeschoolers of the Inland Empire
Spokane Homeschoolers is an inclusive group of the parents of homeschooling families in the Eastern Washington/North Idaho area surrounding Spokane.
Edmonds Heights K-12 (Edmonds Homeschool Resource Center)
23200-100th Ave W
Edmonds, Wa 98020
Phone: 425-431-7840
Edmonds Heights K-12 recognizes the parent as the primary teacher and works as a resource to the family to insure a high quality learning experience for each child consistent with the expectations of the student’s family and the Essential Learning’s established by the state Commission on Student Learning. They operate as an alternative school under WAC 392-121-182 Alternative Learning Experience Requirements and are a K-12 program des...
Washington Natural Learning Association (WNLA)
Washington Natural Learning Association works to ensure the right to home-educate our children without cumbersome regulation. They also help families with questions and problems that may occur when home-educating.
Life Education Activity Resource Network (LEARN)
LEARN is an inclusive non-profit homeschool support group in the South Puget Sound region of Washington State. While most LEARN members live in Thurston County, they also have members in Pierce, Mason, Grays Harbor, and Lewis Counties. Its purpose is to offer member families quality opportunities to augment their own educational efforts on a cooperative basis. LEARN offers field trips, a newsletter, shared (co-op) activities, mom's meetings, used curriculum sales, and more.
WHO for Homeschooling
The Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO) is the state organization for homeschoolers, families operating under the Home-Based Instruction Law. The purpose of this list is to inform and alert. Members are kept abreast of developments, both in the legislature and in the public school system, that affect homeschooling in this state.
Yakima Homeschoolers
This group is for Yakima homeschoolers to instantly connect with eachother. This email forum is used to notify each other of community events, network with other families, plan last-minute field trips and social gatherings. Membership is open to homeschooling families who are living in the Yakima area.
Open Minded Homeschoolers In Kitsap
This is a group for the open minded homeschooler in Kitsap County on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington. This list is for encouragement, support, and friendly chatter. It is open to anyone who is homeschooling or considering homeschooling. This group encourages those homeschooling independently, those using prepared curriculm, as well as those associated with or taking part with the school districts.
The Washington Home Education Network (WHEN)
Since the early to mid 1990s the Washington Home Education Network (WHEN)has been for those interested in homeschooling in Washington state, particularly legislative news and discussion.
WHEN welcomes Home-based Instruction as well as Parent Partnered or other public school families. There is a wealth of resources families can share and benefit from as well as legislation and policies related to both choices. WHEN supports the laws which distinguishes between these programs and Home-based In...
Southwest Washington Homeschoolers
This group is for homeschoolers in Southwest Washington state. It is for all homeschooling families wanting to stay connected to events happening in the area. It is also for sharing ideas & support in homeschooling.
Washington Natural Learning Association (WNLA)
WNLA promotes networking and political awareness for home-educators throughout Washington. Questions, political discussion, and all issues relevant to the home-education from a natural learning perspective are main topics of this list.
Whatcom Homeschool
Email list for homeschooling families of Whatcom County, State of Washington, to exchange ideas, answer questions, share resources and stay informed.
Family Learning Organization
Family Learning Organization is intended to advocate for home-based education, to facilitate the encouragement of homeschooling families, to help preserve the freedom of parents to educate their children, and to serve as a means of communication and networking. Through the organization, homeschooling families can network with other more experienced parents. They also offer educational assessment and testing services.
Teaching Parents Association
Teaching Parents Association is a nonprofit association of members who, regardless of race, religious beliefs, or teaching styles, join together to support homeschooling parents, children and community members. They offer parent support meetings, field trips, park days, and clubs for children.
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Featured Resources
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Homeschooling on a Shoestring : A Jam-packed Guide
So you want to homeschool but don't think you can afford it. This book is a compendium of ideas for the family that wants to start or continue homeschooling on a tight budget.
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Happy Phonics
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Learn and Do Unit Studies
Hands on unit studies on a variety of subjects, including science, life skills, arts and crafts, and animals and insects. Also offers free mini units available for download.