FAQs

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By becoming a member of the co-op, you get:

• A wide array of class choices for your child(ren)
• A place to hang out, work and connect with other parents
• A whole community of homeschoolers for yourself and your child(ren)
• Access to our community service initiatives, clubs, field trips, and get-togethers

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Our adult members are the ones who make the co-op happen! They are involved by:

• Teaching or monitoring at least two class periods each week
• Signing up for a required number of co-op jobs each semester
• Serving on a committee or the Board of Directors
• Suggesting topics for future classes

For a more detailed explanation, see the Member Responsibilities page.

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In order to make the co-op run, members need to pitch in to get everything done. We use an on-line sign-up to help everyone find jobs that fit their schedules and skills. Typically, each adult will need to sign up to help out about half a dozen times during a semester. Some common jobs include:

• Morning Setup – arranging chairs and tables, putting out supplies, posting signs, etc.
• Door Monitor – staffing the front door and monitoring the front hall
• Closing Clean­up – emptying trash, wiping tables, storing chairs and tables, vacuuming, etc.

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Yes, classes and other co-op activities are available only to members.

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Yes, some of our members enjoy SCC so much that they continue participating in the life of the co-op even after their children have left SCC or graduated high school.

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We love to see younger siblings (under age 5) at the co-op! Though we don’t offer classes for this age, we do encourage parents and guardians to meet and spend time together. There is a nearby park and lots of opportunities for play. This is a great opportunity for your younger children to make some of their first friends!

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Adult involvement is essential to the successful operation of the co-op. We rely on adult members to teach classes, serve on committees, and perform needed jobs during the course of the day. In certain circumstances, such as if the parent of an older teen is working during the day and cannot fulfill their jobs obligations, their teen child can complete this part of their responsibilities. This arrangement is called “Special Exception” and must be approved by the Board. Please contact [email protected] for more information on the Special Exception program.

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We serve families with children from age 5 through the end of high school. No formal program is offered for children under 5, but parents are welcome to self-organize trips to the park or activities in common areas. At least ONE of your participating children must be age 5 or older.

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All of our classes are run by parent or guardian volunteers.

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Take a look at our Class Schedule page to see what we're offering this semester. Some classes use a traditional academic format with textbooks, grades, and homework; others are just for fun, and still others fall somewhere in between. We aim for a wide variety of classes that enable us to share every co-op member's talents and interests. If you'd like to propose a class, let us know!

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We ask that you submit at least one class idea to the Registrar each semester. This could be a class that you yourself would like to teach, or that you would be willing to assist someone else to teach, or simply something that you would like to see the co-op offer. When you join the co-op, you will be asked to indicate what types of classes you might be interested in helping to teach or facilitate.

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Each family will need to help with running the classes. Class duties can run the gamut from teaching high-school level math or science to supervising outdoor playtime to simply sitting in on a class led by someone else and keeping an eye on things. Don’t worry! Our classes coordinator will work with you to find a good fit for your interests and abilities. Many of our new families start off with relatively light classroom duties. Others are seasoned teachers and are ready to jump right in. And no, you do not have to be an expert to teach!

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As a parent-led, volunteer organization without access to special education staff, we are not equipped to serve students with certain emotional, social, psychological, or physical needs. However, accommodations will be made when possible. Please let us know before registering if your child has special needs to ensure that the co-op will be a good fit and that we will be able to help to make your child's experience a positive one.

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The school year goes from mid-September to mid-May, and  is divided into Fall and Spring semesters. There is a one-week Fall Break, a three-week Winter Break, and a one-week Spring Break followed by our Field Days (no classes).

Here is the current calendar for this year:

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We meet on most Tuesdays and Thursdays during our semesters except for some holiday weeks. Parents may organize non-class activities on other days.

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We have the building between 9am and 4pm each Tuesday and Thursday.

Classes begin at 9:30am and last 65 minutes, with a 10 minute break between classes.

Lunch is 75 minutes long.

Classes end at 3:35pm.

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If Montgomery County Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather, the co-op is closed. If the Montgomery County Public Schools are delayed, the co-op will open on time.

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Our Membership Fee is $125 per semester per family, and is due at the time of registration for the semester. This fee goes to cover our rent, insurance and other overhead costs.

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Class Fees help to supplement the Membership fees, in a way that's proportional to each family's use of the facilities. Most Class Fees are $25 per semester. Double period classes (either two hours in one day, or twice a week) will have a $50 Class Fee per semester.

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Some teachers who use dedicated curriculum and supplies in their classes ask for an additional materials fee on top of the general Class Fee. These go directly to the teacher and are used for extra or special materials not provided by the co-op. The amount of the Materials Fee for a class will be listed in the class description.

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The Membership Fee for new members is due when you join the co-op and is required in order to be able to register for classes. For returning members, the Membership Fee is due when class registration for the semester opens up. Class Fees and Materials Fees are not due until three weeks into the term, so that you can be sure you have chosen the classes that work best for your child.

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Membership and Class Fees can be paid via PayPal through our website. If you cannot pay using PayPal, please contact [email protected] to arrange payment by other means. A $35 fee will be assessed for any check returned by the bank for insufficient funds. Materials fees can be paid either at the same time as other fees, using PayPal, or are paid directly to the teacher. Each teacher decides how they will collect their materials fees.

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We are committed to making it possible for any interested family to join our community regardless of economic circumstances. We offer payment plans, as well as partial and full scholarships. To set up a payment plan, contact [email protected]. If you need financial assistance to be able to participate, please reach out to us by clicking the Scholarship button on the website, or emailing [email protected].

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Membership and Class Fees are refundable for the first 30 days after the beginning of the semester, or the student's date of enrollment, whichever is later. Full or partial refunds for Materials Fees are at the discretion of each teacher.

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We rent space in a charming historic building near downtown Silver Spring and close to East Silver Spring ES. We have access to about half a dozen classrooms, a large multi-purpose room, and a shady outside area. There is a park with a playground and open space a couple of blocks away. Downtown Silver Spring and Sligo Creek are within a few minutes’ walking distance.

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Our building does not have a parking lot, but does have off-street parking available in its half-circle driveway for those with mobility issues. This same area can be used temporarily, to load/unload heavy items you may be bringing to the co-op. CAUTION: The driveway is NARROW. Those parking there should take care to leave room for cars to pass to prevent dings to either vehicle.

Free on-street parking is available directly across from the building and in the surrounding neighborhood.

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Yes! We are about a mile from the Silver Spring Metro station. The F4 Metrobus line and the 16,17, and 20 Ride-On bus lines stop near our building. There is a Capital Bikeshare station right near us, as well.

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The building where we meet is historical, but has had accessibility upgrades. There is an accessible door into the building, as well as an elevator. If you have mobility issues, please reach out to us and we can go over the details with you. We will do everything possible to make the facility accessible for you.

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Yes. The co-op owns two microwaves as well as coffee and tea making supplies. We are also permitted to use part of the building’s kitchen refrigerator, though all members must remove their items from it by the end of each day. Peanuts are not permitted at SCC for the safety of members with life-threatening allergies. Depending on the allergies of current members, you may be informed of other prohibited foods. We have a large eating area which is also the center of social activity throughout the day. Everyone is responsible for cleaning up after their children after lunch and at the end of the day.

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SCC does not permit peanuts OR tree nuts. Other restrictions may be added depending upon current members’ needs. Our host does not restrict any food in their building so allergens may be present from other activities.

NOTE: We currently do not allow peanuts OR tree nuts at co-op due to member needs.

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We rely on our members to treat the space that we rent with care and respect to maintain a good relationship with our host. Members will be responsible for any property damage caused by themselves or their children.

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We are a diverse, secular and welcoming community, comprised of members of many different racial and ethnic identities. Some of our members were born in other countries and speak more than one language. We have members from different faiths, and members with no religious affiliation. We have adults and students in our community who identify as LGBTQI+ and we are committed to making our co-op a safe space for everyone, regardless of identity or lifestyle. We value tolerance and celebrate the opportunity to learn from and about each other’s cultures.

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The co-op is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. You may obtain a copy of our by-laws by contacting our secretary at [email protected]. We have a volunteer Board of Directors that includes a president, treasurer, secretary, and 2 to 8 other members who oversee specific areas such as registration, classes, facilities, etc. Other non-board members help out with tasks such as coordinating co-op jobs, managing our website, organizing events and so on. We hold monthly member meetings and regularly poll the community for input on current issues. The co-op runs best when everyone joins in and contributes!

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Students are expected to remain in their classes until dismissed and follow their teachers’ guidelines. Classroom norms will vary according to the class, with some relatively quiet and structured and others very active and freeform. If a student is disruptive and does not respond to their teacher’s guidance, they will be returned to their parent or guardian. If the disruptive behavior is ongoing, the teacher will work with the parent to remedy the situation, and may enlist the assistance of the Board if needed.

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Everyone, adults and students, are expected to behave respectfully toward each other. There is zero tolerance for bullying or harassment of any kind within our community. Our member agreement outlines the details of our policy regarding expected behavior. Members who repeatedly engage in bullying or harassment may be asked to leave the class or the co-op, without a refund of the associated fees.

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SCC is not a drop-off program. SCC is a community-focused learning environment and we believe that it's important for members to be on the school grounds during the school day, at the very least during the times while their child(ren) attend(s) class. Parents or guardians are responsible for their child(ren) at all times.

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Although we expect parents to be on-site with their child(ren), you may temporarily leave your child in the care of another parent in the event you need to leave co-op for a period of time. 

Children who are old enough may be left temporarily without needing to be in the care of a specific adult. Use your judgement to determine if your child is mature enough for this.

Additionally, all families should complete a Medical Release Form for each of their children, which will be kept in the Door Monitor Binder in the event a child needs to receive emergency medical care and their parent is not on-site.

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Yes. Parents or guardians may designate another caregiver (i.e. grandparent, nanny) to serve as their child’s guardian at the co-op with prior approval. That person will then be the one to fulfill all of the member responsibilities Please email [email protected] if you will need to exercise this option.

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• If you, or someone in your family who attends co-op, have any communicable disease (e.g. runny nose, sore throat, fever, vomiting) we strongly recommend testing for COVID-19, taking extra precautions to wash hands frequently, wearing masks while at co-op, and avoiding close contact with others. If needed, SCC can provide rapid tests for families to have on hand, and masks to use at co-op.
• Caregivers should use their best judgment about whether their child is capable of taking such precautions. If in doubt, keep them at home. 
• If you have had a fever, please do not come to co-op until you have been fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications.
• If you have been exposed to COVID-19, have tested positive for COVID-19, or if you have symptoms of COVID-19, SCC members agree to follow current CDC guidance about staying home and/or increasing masking beyond what the co-op normally agrees to. 
• If someone else in your household has symptoms of any communicable disease, but you are not sick yourself, we strongly recommend that you test yourself for COVID-19, take extra precautions to wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, and avoid close contact with others. Remember that many illnesses are contagious before you develop symptoms yourself.
• If you are feeling uncertain, we recommend talking to another member of the co-op to explain your situation and think through your options. You may also reach out to [email protected].

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Any SCC Member is welcome to wear a mask when they feel it is appropriate, outdoors or indoors. SCC follows CDC guidelines; when masks are not being recommended by the CDC, all indoor and outdoor space is mask-optional. Mask requirements would change with CDC guidance. Community members are welcome to make a request to the class teacher (or board president(s)) for a class to be masked to take into consideration a family’s health circumstances (e.g. immunocompromised member of the household). We encourage these requests to be made before the start of the semester.

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Each family agrees to remain up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, according to CDC Guidance.