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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a co-op, and how is it different from a traditional school?
A co-op is a collaborative learning environment where parents share teaching and support roles. Instead of having a single teacher or staff, parents contribute their skills, talents, and time to provide a rich educational experience for all the children. We also handle our own cleaning, planning, organizing, and support within the co-op. Parents have a voice in what and how we teach, allowing us to create an excellent and relevant learning structure.
A co-op is a collaborative learning environment where parents share teaching and support roles. Instead of having a single teacher or staff, parents contribute their skills, talents, and time to provide a rich educational experience for all the children. We also handle our own cleaning, planning, organizing, and support within the co-op. Parents have a voice in what and how we teach, allowing us to create an excellent and relevant learning structure.
- Do I need teaching experience to participate as an instructor?
No formal teaching experience is required. Each parent brings unique gifts and knowledge to the classroom. We offer guidance and resources to help you successfully plan and lead your lessons.
No formal teaching experience is required. Each parent brings unique gifts and knowledge to the classroom. We offer guidance and resources to help you successfully plan and lead your lessons.
- Are you faith-based, and what are your religious affiliations?
Yes, we are a faith-based co-op that welcomes homeschool families. We focus on creating a supportive, spiritually grounded community where everyone respects and appreciates each other’s backgrounds and beliefs. While it is not mandatory to be of a faith, we do ask that teachings and responses to questions do not contradict our statement of faith, which is Christian in nature.
Yes, we are a faith-based co-op that welcomes homeschool families. We focus on creating a supportive, spiritually grounded community where everyone respects and appreciates each other’s backgrounds and beliefs. While it is not mandatory to be of a faith, we do ask that teachings and responses to questions do not contradict our statement of faith, which is Christian in nature.
- Can I enroll my child mid-year?
Yes, as long as we have openings in your child’s age group.
Yes, as long as we have openings in your child’s age group.
- Are there any prerequisites or assessments required for enrollment?
We do not require placement tests. We group children by age, maturity and/or work to meet them at their learning levels.
We do not require placement tests. We group children by age, maturity and/or work to meet them at their learning levels.
- What does a typical day look like?
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, children rotate through four classes including: Chapel, PE, Art, Science, History, Culture, and other electives. One day you’ll volunteer as a parent assisting with teaching or helping crews navigate their schedule. The other day, you can drop your child off and return at pickup time.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, children rotate through four classes including: Chapel, PE, Art, Science, History, Culture, and other electives. One day you’ll volunteer as a parent assisting with teaching or helping crews navigate their schedule. The other day, you can drop your child off and return at pickup time.
- How do you handle discipline and classroom management?
We maintain a positive, respectful environment. Parents and teachers collaborate to set clear expectations, and we encourage gentle guidance and problem-solving strategies. Consistent communication between parents and the co-op ensures everyone is on the same page. For more detailed information, please refer to our behavioral expectations document. We have a kindness coin system, which gives the kids a chance to earn coins by being kind and observing our four classroom expectations. Once per six-week session, they get to "shop" in our snack shack which is something they all look forward to.
We maintain a positive, respectful environment. Parents and teachers collaborate to set clear expectations, and we encourage gentle guidance and problem-solving strategies. Consistent communication between parents and the co-op ensures everyone is on the same page. For more detailed information, please refer to our behavioral expectations document. We have a kindness coin system, which gives the kids a chance to earn coins by being kind and observing our four classroom expectations. Once per six-week session, they get to "shop" in our snack shack which is something they all look forward to.
- Do you follow a specific curriculum?
We do not use any specific curriculum. Instead, parents can choose subjects they’d like to teach, such as Art, History, Culture, or Science. During your 6-week teaching session, you’ll pick a curriculum or create your own lesson plans, allowing you to share your passions and expertise with the students. All curriculum or teaching materials must not contradict our basic Christian statement of faith.
We do not use any specific curriculum. Instead, parents can choose subjects they’d like to teach, such as Art, History, Culture, or Science. During your 6-week teaching session, you’ll pick a curriculum or create your own lesson plans, allowing you to share your passions and expertise with the students. All curriculum or teaching materials must not contradict our basic Christian statement of faith.
- What if my child has special needs or learning differences?
We strive to create an inclusive community. Please contact us so we can discuss your child’s needs and determine how best to support them within our co-op structure. We are limited by our staffing and do not have the ability to give one on one attention to any student. However, we do try to work with you should your child need more support in the classroom. You or another caregiver are always welcome in the classroom with them or we can work with you on another arrangement.
We strive to create an inclusive community. Please contact us so we can discuss your child’s needs and determine how best to support them within our co-op structure. We are limited by our staffing and do not have the ability to give one on one attention to any student. However, we do try to work with you should your child need more support in the classroom. You or another caregiver are always welcome in the classroom with them or we can work with you on another arrangement.
- Do you allow cellphones or electronic devices on campus?
Children are not allowed to have cellphones or electronic devices on campus as we want to allow them to be creative and find other ways to interact with their friends on campus. Parents are allowed to have phones with them, but we ask that they do not use them while volunteering. If there is a need for a parent to use it, we ask that you do so on your break time.
Children are not allowed to have cellphones or electronic devices on campus as we want to allow them to be creative and find other ways to interact with their friends on campus. Parents are allowed to have phones with them, but we ask that they do not use them while volunteering. If there is a need for a parent to use it, we ask that you do so on your break time.
- Can siblings of different ages attend?
Yes! We have age-grouped crews to accommodate a variety of ages, from Pre-K through 6th grade. Having multiple children in the co-op can simplify your family’s routine and allow siblings to share experiences. We also offer a nursery for babies and toddlers, ensuring that younger siblings are cared for while older children attend classes and parents volunteer for the day.
Yes! We have age-grouped crews to accommodate a variety of ages, from Pre-K through 6th grade. Having multiple children in the co-op can simplify your family’s routine and allow siblings to share experiences. We also offer a nursery for babies and toddlers, ensuring that younger siblings are cared for while older children attend classes and parents volunteer for the day.
- How much parent involvement is required throughout the year?
Families devotes one parent one day per week to helping at co-op during the school year. That parent teaches for approximately six weeks of the year (one session) and volunteers on campus on their assigned day from 8:45-12:45. On the non-volunteer day, parents may drop children off. The volunteer parent will also teach 2-3 "Choice" classes a year, which can be any topic they feel called to teach. We also ask each parent to help on at a support role to share the load (examples include Yearbook, Field Trips, Set-up, Event Planner, Fundraising, Lunch and Learn, etc.). Additionally, everyone contributes to cleaning duties on their volunteer day. This balance ensures that we share responsibilities and keep costs low.
Families devotes one parent one day per week to helping at co-op during the school year. That parent teaches for approximately six weeks of the year (one session) and volunteers on campus on their assigned day from 8:45-12:45. On the non-volunteer day, parents may drop children off. The volunteer parent will also teach 2-3 "Choice" classes a year, which can be any topic they feel called to teach. We also ask each parent to help on at a support role to share the load (examples include Yearbook, Field Trips, Set-up, Event Planner, Fundraising, Lunch and Learn, etc.). Additionally, everyone contributes to cleaning duties on their volunteer day. This balance ensures that we share responsibilities and keep costs low.
- How are field trips organized, and are they mandatory?
We schedule field trips that complement our lessons or are something the kids have interest in. Participation is encouraged but optional. Families often find these outings enrich the learning experience and strengthen community bonds. We occasionally fundraise for field trips that are outside our budgets.
We schedule field trips that complement our lessons or are something the kids have interest in. Participation is encouraged but optional. Families often find these outings enrich the learning experience and strengthen community bonds. We occasionally fundraise for field trips that are outside our budgets.
- What happens if we miss a class due to illness or travel?
We understand that life happens and each family has their own homeschooling journey. You will need to utilize our communication platform (Band) to communicate if you’ll be absent and help find coverage if it is your volunteer day. If you are planning to travel, we ask that you notify the other parents as soon as possible to find volunteer replacements.
We understand that life happens and each family has their own homeschooling journey. You will need to utilize our communication platform (Band) to communicate if you’ll be absent and help find coverage if it is your volunteer day. If you are planning to travel, we ask that you notify the other parents as soon as possible to find volunteer replacements.
- Do parents and volunteers need background checks? What about two person integrity with kids in bathroom situations?
Yes, all parents and volunteers need background checks before being an official volunteer. Also, we always require two adults to be present when helping children with bathroom needs and bathroom accidents.
Yes, all parents and volunteers need background checks before being an official volunteer. Also, we always require two adults to be present when helping children with bathroom needs and bathroom accidents.
- What does FCFC stand for?
FCFC is the acronym we use for Fall City Family Co-op.
FCFC is the acronym we use for Fall City Family Co-op.
- How do I know if this co-op is the right fit for my family?
We encourage you to schedule a tour and even attend a trial day or two. This will give you a first-hand look at our co-op and help you determine if it feels right for you and your child. We understand that each homeschooling journey is different and we want this to be a blessing to your family, so please come try it out.
We encourage you to schedule a tour and even attend a trial day or two. This will give you a first-hand look at our co-op and help you determine if it feels right for you and your child. We understand that each homeschooling journey is different and we want this to be a blessing to your family, so please come try it out.
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