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
Howard County Home Educators (e-HCHE)
Howard County Home Educators is a network of homeschoolers in Howard County, Maryland. The majority of the members live in the Columbia, Clarksville, Ellicott City areas. Provides support, information, cooperative learning experiences, homeschooling advocacy, newsletter, and friendship.
Central Maryland Unschoolers
This is list for unschooling families interested in connecting with other unschoolers in DC and central Maryland (Prince George’s, Anne Arundel and surrounding counties). They have casual monthly get-togethers that offer support, conversation, socializing, and playtime for adults, teens and children.
Delaware Classical Home Educators Network Discussion Group
This is discussion loop is intended as an on-line extension of the classical network group forming in the DE-MD-NJ-PA area. This group is for those following the classical homeschooling education model, such as described in "The Well Trained Mind" (Jessie Wise and Susan Bauer) or similar method.
Heritage Home School Association
HERITAGE is a group of homeschoolers meeting once a month to encourage one another toward love, good teaching, and an abundant life in Christ. The term HERITAGE stands for Home Educators Restoring In Truth A Godly Education. This support group serves Montgomery County, Maryland, including Rockville, Gaithersburg, Derwood, and Kensington.
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.
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 ...
Appalachian Regional Cooperative
Appalachian Regional Cooperative is an inclusive group of homeschoolers in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
North County Home Educators (NCHE)
This list is for members of North County Home Educators - a homeschooling support group based in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Maryland Home Education Association (MHEA)
Maryland Home Education Association (MHEA) serves and supports families of all religious, philosophical, and ethnic persuasions. They provide information about homeschooling and networking opportunities.
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).
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.
Columbia Homeschool Community (CHC)
The Columbia Homeschool Community (CHC) is an inclusive homeschool support group for Maryland families. This friendly homeschool support group currently has over 60 families and over 150 children (from birth to age 18) from all over Maryland, including Howard, Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, Baltimore, Charles, and Montgomery counties, as well as Baltimore City.
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.
SMHomeschool
This group is for those living in Southern Maryland that homeschool or are thinking of homeschooling their child/children.
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.
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