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 Maryland.
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 Maryland.
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
SPIRIT ed. Homeschool Group of Maryland (SPIRIT_ed)
Operating out of Waldorf, Maryland, SPIRIT ed. is an inclusive group of homeschooling families encouraging and supporting its members through monthly support meetings, networking, resource-sharing, and group activities.
Montgomery County TORCH Homeschool Group
Montgomery County TORCH is a group of faithful families in and around Montgomery County, Maryland, providing for their children's primary education at home. The group's goal is to support the spiritual, moral, mental, and social needs of Catholic homeschooling families. Offers holiday events, girls' and boys' clubs, field trips, family events, and more.
J-LIFT
J-LIFT stands for Jewish homeschoolers--Learning Is Fun Together! This is an activity based list, dedicated to notification of activities for Jewish homeschoolers in the Baltimore area. The goal is to provide opportunities for Jewish homeschoolers and their parents to get together on a semi-regular basis, through trips, outings, and activities.
CM-LowerEasternShoreMD
This group is for the members of the Charlotte Mason Study Group of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Unschooling Family Connection
The Unschooling Family Connection is a support group in Montgomery and Frederick Counties in Maryland. It was founded in order to to provide support for unschooling parents, along with activities, socialization, and fun for the children. They offer field trips, park days, celebrations, and online
support.
Harford, Cecil and Baltimore Homeschooling (BaHaCeHS)
This list is for homeschooling families from Harford and Cecil Counties in Maryland and surrounding areas to join together to provide support, share resources, and ideas.
Teens, Tweens, & Company of Northern NJ
Teens, Tweens, & Company of Northern NJ is a group that facilitates older activities aimed at middle/high schoolers. This is a network aimed at teens and their siblings. They aim to engage all of the children, but are particularly focused on the older ones, who, many times, get lost in the shuffle. Everyone is encouraged to meet up whenever, not just on meeting days. Teenagers are a social breed & they are hoping to fill this need, as well as get them involved in more formal activities. Members ...
Southern Maryland Homeschool Network (SMHN)
Email list for SMHN, Southern Maryland Homeschool Network, a network of homeschool groups and individuals home educating in Maryland.
FAMILIES News
This is a large group of over 600 homeschool families who want to encourage each other and share information, events, curriculum, fieldtrip, and homeschooling resources, and ideas. This is a Christian group but all who homeschool are welcome to join. Most members are from the Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia area (Delmarva).
TORCH of Libertytown
TORCH of Libertytown is a chapter of the national TORCH group, a Catholic homeschool group. Offers monthly meetings, boys' and girls' clubs, field trips, a co-op, science fair, and more.
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...
SMHomeschool
This group is for those living in Southern Maryland that homeschool or are thinking of homeschooling their child/children.
Baltimore-Washington African American Homeschoolers (BWAAH)
This group was created for African American homeschoolers in and around the Baltimore/Washington DC/Northern VA area to connect with one another. This is a central place where members of various support groups and/or individual homeschoolers in the area can learn from and help each other.
Delmarva Unschoolers
Unschoolers on Marylands Eastern Shore. This is a secular discussion list and a list for posting activities and get togethers. This group focuses on communicating and getting together with other unschoolers on Delmarva for socialization, support, and information.
Marylandhomeschool
This is a mailing list for people who home school or are thinking of homeschooling in Maryland, kids and parents alike. Here you can exchange ideas, support each other, and share resources and information.
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