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 Florida.
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 Florida.
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
Family Treasures
Family Treasures is a Christian homeschool support group and academic co-op working together to create Christ-centered opportunities for long-term fellowship and learning. Family Treasures Homeschoolers currently has members from the Lehigh Acres, Buckingham, Alva, Cape Coral, Gateway, and the Fort Myers areas. Family Treasures consists of two parts--the homeschool support group and an educational co-op. FT co-op meets in Lehigh Acres for three class hours and another hour of optional recreation...
South County Home Schoolers (SCHS)
South County Home Schoolers exists to provide networking and support to homeschooling families regardless of race, religion, or teaching style. They provide networking and support through monthly meetings, park days, field trips, legislative updates, clubs and activities, and more. SCHS is a founding affiliate of the Florida Inclusive Home Education Network (FIHEN) and a member of the Home Educator's Association of Palm Beach County.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Home Educators
Sacred Heart of Jesus Home Educators offers encouragement to each other, both spiritually and academically, through various gatherings designed to strengthen each family's commitment to authentic Catholic home education. This group serves families in the central Florida area.
Home Educators Applying Righteous Teaching Standards (HEARTS)
HEARTS is a Christ centered organization formed to bring homeschooling families together in order to support, educate and encourage them in their efforts to educate their children at home. To achieve these goals, the group meets monthly to pray for and encourage one another, share methods, curriculum, ideas, and to plan group events, field trips and classes.
International Community School
1021 N. New York Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789
Phone: 407-645-2343
International Community School’s Private School Covering program is offered to those who choose to home school one or more of their children full time (with no group classes). Parents develop the entire home school environment by choosing all curriculum and writing lesson plans, but still receive traditional school benefits including support services, academic counseling, participation in sports programs and extracurricular a...
Arlington Explorers (AE)
The Arlington Explorers (AE) is an eclectic homeschool support group serving Arlington and surrounding areas that meets for weekly park dates, monthly field trips, and quarterly service projects.
Florida Unschoolers
8680 Eagle Avenue
Hobe Sound, FL 33455
Phone: 772-546-0257
Florida Unschoolers is a private umbrella school for unschoolers and other homeschoolers in Florida. Florida Unschoolers is listed at the Florida Department of Education website in the Directory of Private Schools, as required of all private schools in Florida, under Martin County.
Christian Home Educated Children (CHEC)
CHEC serves as a support group throughout Volusia County. Members homeschool under the home school Law or enroll with private schools affiliated with home education. They offer special activities for children in grades K-12. Some of the activities include high school labs and classes, activity afternoons, field trips, science/art/history fairs, opportunities for testing and evaluation, and support for parents of special needs children.
Home Education Resources and Information (H.E.R.I.)
H.E.R.I. is a volunteer organization, of almost 800 families serving homeschoolers in the northeast Florida region. Essentially, they are a support group of other smaller support groups, home-based private schools and individuals, and as such offer unlimited opportunities for serving and encouraging one another. Home Educational Resources and Information, better known as HERI was established in 1985 to provide support and communication between homeschoolers.
East Orlando Mommies Group
The place to find fun and educational activities for you and your little kids in the East Orlando area: UCF, Waterford Lakes, Avalon, Wedgefeild, Union Park, Bonneville, Bithlo, Christmas, Oviedo, Chuluota, etc. Check the calendar for fun things to do. Discuss an assortment of parenting topics. Meet up with other parents of young children from this area and hopefully have fun and make new friends along your parenting journey.
THINK Tampa Homeschoolers Instructing & Nurturing Kids
THINK is a co-op for homeschool families. It is an inclusive group, which means that they are open to all homeschooling families. They provide group fun and learning opportunities for homeschool students and families.
South Broward Homeschool Group
South Broward Homeschool Group supports all homeschool families without regard to teaching style, race, religion, or family orientation. Their goal is to provide a friendly, positive and open support group.
Hernando Homeschool Social
Hernando Homeschool Social is a free, laid-back, fun and all-inclusive group that is dedicated to providing social opportunities for homeschoolers and their families in Hernando County, Florida.
Nature Coast LIFE
Nature Coast LIFE is an inclusive homeschooling group for Hernando, Pasco, and Citrus County, Florida (Nature Coast).
Lakeland Homeschool PE
Lakeland Homeschool PE is a support group providing fitness activities for homeschoolers.
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Featured Resources
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The Outdoor Life of Children: The Importance of Nature Study and Outside Activities (Charlotte Mason Topics - Volume 2
The methods of Charlotte Mason are popular among homeschoolers. She includes nature study as a crucial element. This work explores the idea of the outdoors as a classroom for children, and gives tips on ways of teaching the sciences, history, literat...
Montessori Play And Learn : A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six
We all want the best possible starts in life for our children, and one of the best possible starts in life, educationally, is the "method" pioneered by Maria Montessori and taught successfully today throughout the world.Now, Lesley Britton, the leadi...
Florida History from the Highways
Discover Florida, with its unique geography and exciting history--from ancient gold to modern real estate speculation--by journeying along its highways. Beginning with a chronology and succinct account of Florida's spectacular development, then an ac...
They're Your Kids: An Inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate
For many people, their schooling was uncomfortable, tedious, and sometimes a waste of time and energy. This book offers the idea that the public school system is tragically flawed and that we are able to do better for our own children. Sam Sorbo, mom...
The Trivium: The Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric
Opening the door for beginners who seek a thorough grounding in the first arts of human understanding, this book explains the nature of logic, grammar, and rhetoric-the three of the seven liberal arts-and how they relate to one another. In Renaissanc...