2024 Grand Rapids Homeschool Groups, Programs, Curriculum + Extracurriculars

Grand Rapids has Exceptional Support for Homeschool Families

Homeschool parents have it all on their shoulders. Figuring out what are the best math, science, language arts, and history homeschool curriculum for your children is hard enough.

Add in getting them extracurricular classes like art or music, making sure they get in great field trips, and keeping them physically active through sports, we’ve got to wear a lot of hats.

If you are looking for homeschool groups, homeschool co-ops or other support, you may be surprised by the numerous options.

But never fear, we’re here to help you make sense of everything!

Homeschool 101 – Q&A Video

If you’re considering homeschooling for the first time, watch this video. It covers the legal aspect of homeschooling in Michigan as well as:

• How to choose a curriculum
• Social options for homeschool families
• Where to find homeschool support
• Types of successful homeschool families

How to Find Homeschool Curriculum

My littlest guy is starting fifth grade, so I’m still deeply in the trenches. I’m learning every year about what’s happening with homeschoolers.

I guarantee I will not list everything here, so if you have a homeschool curriculum resource that you love, but I’ve missed, please reply below in the comments.

Finding Homeschool Curriculum is Easier Than You Think

If you are overwhelmed thinking about this, you are like just about every other homeschool parent.

There are so many resources for advice and purchasing. But if you’ve never done this before, you have the added stress of feeling clueless. How do you even know what you need? 

You should definitely call HSB, Inc. for advice and good deals. Their new and used bookstores could make this a one-stop shopping experience, and I am not kidding about their helpful and supportive staff. 

Not only for homeschoolers, HSB is a go-to resource for all families who are looking for educational materials for their children. 

The local Facebook groups listed below can help you with advice and also purchasing since many of the members sell their used materials.

Bought the Wrong Curriculum? No Problem

I remember I used to get so worried about buying the “wrong” curriculum.

What happens if you get something you don’t like? Nothing. You put it up for sale and try something else. 

One thing you really should do, if you are able, is ask your homeschool friends and acquaintances.

I was lucky to have homeschooling friends a couple of years ahead of me when I was first starting out. It was very helpful to see the books and hear about how they work.

(If you find a good chemistry curriculum for a science-smart kid and a science-dumb mama, please let me know as I’m looking.)

Join Facebook Groups for Recommendations and Support

There are several local Facebook groups where families get advice, announce activities, and buy and sell homeschool curriculum and other related items. While each group serves a different purpose or has a different emphasis, they are a great place for information.

• GRAIN- Grand Rapids Area Inclusive Network for Homeschoolers
• Michigan Homeschoolers (Previously West Michigan Homeschoolers)
• West Michigan Area Homeschoolers/Grand Rapids Area Homeschoolers 

There are also many Facebook groups that are not West Michigan specific. In these groups you can get a broader array of opinions, trends, and information.

• Hip Homeschool Moms Community
• Homeschooling with Netflix
• Moms for All Seasons
• New/Used Homeschool Curriculum, Books, Manipulatives

Enroll in Hybrid Homeschool Programs

Some schools in the area offer hybrid programs, in which a student divides time between attending the school and learning at home.

Such programs allow families to enjoy the perks of both homeschooling and enrolling in a school where extracurricular activities are also offered as part of the program. 

These schools include:

Can Working Parents Still Homeschool?

The short answer is, “Yes.” 

Can it be tricky? Also, “Yes.”

I think the biggest hurdle for a homeschool family to overcome is the notion that you must operate a traditional classroom. Homeschool classrooms do not look like traditional classrooms. 

You do not need to be the only teacher. You do not need to teach your children all at once. You do not need to start school at 9 AM.

Homeschool families get to think outside the box. They get to reimagine the learning experience.

Divvy Up Tasks Between Parents

Every homeschool works around the dynamics of the family, and the same will be true for a family with two working parents. Because you are not restricted to certain hours of the day for instruction time, you can arrange your school day however you like. 

Plus, it takes far less time to teach only a few kids than it does a whole classroom. This is not a 9 AM – 3 PM gig. It’s perfectly fine to have an unconventional way of doing things when you homeschool.

If there are two working parents at home, divvying up the teaching and tag-teaming instructional time may be the answer.

Use Tutors & Other Instructors for Tough Subjects

Tutors, both online and in-person, are also an option, especially with so many college students and other homeschool parents in the area. 

The many local homeschool co-ops are an excellent resource for you, too.

Do you have a homeschool friend who’s really good at English, whereas you’re more of a Math mom? Consider a teaching swap!

You may have to pare down your life for a bit in order to focus on the really important stuff, and you may often feel like your brain is on fire. 

Once you realize that you can be flexible with how you run your school and that you are not running a public school in your home, you can give yourself and your family the grace to adjust to your unique homeschool life.

Grand Rapids Homeschool Co-Ops

Being a homeschool student means you can build your learning interests into your school day. Take music lessons, practice a sport or learn how to cook.

Here are some places students can enhance their homeschool curriculum around Grand Rapids.

West Michigan has a large number of cooperative programs (co-ops) for homeschoolers. Some require parental involvement (teaching, childcare, or miscellaneous tasks) and some do not.

Most are weekly programs where students have multiple classes, though many offer the a la carte approach where students can take only one class.

These are especially helpful for families that don’t feel equipped to teach the upper-level courses.

I recently signed one of my girls up for a chemistry class at Four Square where this veteran homeschooling mom will be a newbie.

These programs are an excellent source for extracurricular classes – especially the arts, home economics, and foreign languages.

Grand Rapids Businesses That are Homeschool Friendly

Many local businesses and organizations are aware of the large homeschooling population in the area and offer day classes to be inclusive of homeschoolers. 

Assistance for Disabled Michigan Homeschool Kids

Many families who desire special services provided by the school system become a nonpublic school. If you have a child with a disability, services are available to you if you want.

The SM-4325 Rev. 8/17. You will need to file this form with the Michigan Department of Education and work with your district regarding the services you require.

You, of course, are able to seek out private solutions for your special needs, and that is where the homeschool community will come in handy. Check out some of the contact links in the next section.

Home School Legal Defense Association is a popular resource for families. I highly recommend you check them out. This page is Michigan-specific and is particularly helpful.

Online Resources for Homeschool

Here is a list of some Facebook groups to check out for curriculum, ideas and support:

• Frugal Homeschooling
• Grand Rapids Area Inclusive Network for Homeschoolers (GRAIN)
• Hip Homeschool Moms Community
• Homeschooling Parents of Children with Asperger’s Syndrome
• Homeschooling with Dyslexia
• Homeschooling with Netflix
• Michigan Homeschoolers
• West Michigan Homeschoolers

You Are Uniquely Qualified to Teach Your Kids

I have really just scratched the surface of some of the aspects of homeschooling.

You may be very uncertain about all this. Don’t doubt for a minute that you can’t somehow make this work, whether you plan to do it temporarily or long-term.

You know and love your child best, and you are able to figure out how to get them what they need. 

And there’s a whole bunch of homeschoolers out here who’ve got your back.

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