FAQs

Not in the traditional sense. We are a community of children, caregivers, and educators that work together to provide support to homeschool families in central Indiana. Our programs are created to enhance (but not replace) the homeschool experience through hands-on learning opportunities. Participating in our co-op does not contribute the 180-day requirement from the Indiana State Department of Education.

A Cooperative school involves children and families working together to achieve educational and social goals. Parents are required to lead or assist in the classroom for some of each semester and to help with the management and running of the school. This cooperative model also means parents and students have input in what the students learn. Cooperatives are democratically owned by their members, with each member having one vote in electing the board of directors.

Our school is member-run and member “owned.” Our board is elected from our parent members.

We are affiliated with the Indianapolis Council of Preschool Cooperatives as their first Primary School member. We also are affiliated with Parent Cooperative Preschool International — PCPI represents more than 50,000 families and teachers, providing on-going support to families, educators, and social agencies who recognize the value of parents as teachers of their children and the necessity of educating parents to meet the developmental needs of their children.

Our goal is to provide opportunities that a homeschooling family cannot easily get at home such as engagement with peers, practice working partner/group settings and group presentation. Students are encouraged but not required to move outside their comfort zone, at their own pace. Our class curriculum is designed by home educators who are both experienced classroom leaders and homeschool parents. The topics that we study can be extended into your own homeschool program. We value outdoor play and will likely spend time each class day outdoors. We also organize field trips once or twice a month on Wednesdays. These are open to all enrolled families who want to enjoy various activities and museums in the area

Absolutely! While our teachers are not trained in special education services, they do have hands on experience with many forms of learning challenges. Our teachers also work closely with parents to adapt the classroom for each individual student. The learning and health concerns of each child are of the highest priority. We want children to feel welcome, safe, and able to just be kids. We won’t push a child to perform outside their comfort zone but we will offer them opportunities to grow at their own pace.

Pre-K: 3-4 years old Lower Elementary: 5-7 years old Upper Elementary: 8-9 years old Intermediate: 9-10 years old Middle School: 11-14 years old High School (IHC Academy): 8th Grade - 12th Grade

We offer classes and clubs each Monday from Noon to 3:30. We also often have field trips on Wednesdays (and occasionally other days for very special events).

All our classes and clubs are led by co-op member parents. Newer co-op members are not generally asked to lead classes but instead act as assistants or lead small clubs as they gain comfort with the environment and children. All members will be expected to lead a class or club by their second quarter at IHC.

Yes! All members can expect to lead at least one class or club during the co-op year. We'll find a group you can be comfortable leading at IHC!

If parents aren’t comfortable teaching a larger class, they can assist instead their first quarter then lead a smaller club the next quarter. We’ll help you find a topic and class size that you can feel comfortable leading. New parents are generally asked to assist during their first quarter at IHC, though some clubs that have minimal planning will be assigned to them.

Classes are divided by age and offer the children a chance to experience a more typical classroom environment. Clubs are multi-aged and interest based. These allow the children to explore their interests.

We offer a new roster of clubs each semester. Some examples: Cooking Filmmaking Chemistry Art Woodworking Board Games Rocketry We also attend Junior Achievement's Biztown and Finance Park yearly, both of which are offered as clubs in the first term of each calendar year.

IHC follows the CDC color level guidelines and requires masks depending on COVID case counts: Orange: KN95 or high quality surgical mask inside, no mask required outside. Yellow: Mask of choice inside, no mask required outside. Green: No mask requirements. We have hand sanitizer available and encourage hand washing before and after class. For a full copy of our COVID policy, please contact us!

As a condition of membership all participating parents are required to pass a background check. Additionally, there are generally at least two adults with the children at all times and several members are First Aid certified. We also have Tornado and Fire drills.