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Homeschool Co-ops in Wyoming: How to Find & Join the Right Group
Homeschool co-ops are one of the biggest benefits of living in Wyoming. They provide academic rigor, social community, shared teaching responsibilities, and cost-sharing.
This guide helps you find, evaluate, and join the right co-op for your family.
Key Takeaways
- Wyoming has active co-ops in every region: Cheyenne, Laramie, Sheridan, Jackson, Casper areas
- Co-op models vary: Some meet 1x/week for classes; others are fully integrated educational communities
- Cost: $50-400/year membership + class fees (if applicable)
- Benefits: Community, instruction, cost-sharing, field trips, built-in socialization
- Flexibility: Join one or more; participate as much as your schedule allows
- Essential if: You want structure, community, or hands-on instruction you can’t provide alone
What Is a Homeschool Co-op?
A co-op is a cooperative educational community where:
- Families band together to share teaching responsibility
- Parents teach classes to each other’s children
- Costs are pooled (buying bulk curriculum, renting space, etc.)
- Community is built through regular meetings
- Academic rigor and accountability increase
- Socialization happens naturally through regular participation
Example: One parent teaches science to 15 kids one day/week. Other parents teach literature, math enrichment, or art on other days. All families benefit from shared instruction and community.
Wyoming’s Homeschool Co-op Landscape
Statewide Organizations (Umbrella Groups)
HOW (Homeschool Organization of Wyoming)
What it is: Christian statewide homeschool organization with local chapters
Structure:
– Local chapters in Cheyenne, Laramie, Casper, Sheridan, Jackson area
– Monthly chapter meetings (typically 1x/month)
– Curriculum buying co-op (group discounts)
– Annual state conference
– Support and mentoring
Cost: $50-150/year membership (varies by chapter)
What you get:
– Monthly meetings for encouragement and resources
– Curriculum group-buy discounts (30-50% off)
– Lending library of curriculum
– Field trip groups
– Guest speakers
– State conference access
– Mentoring/answering questions
– Community of experienced homeschoolers
Contact/Website: Search “HOW Wyoming” + your county name (e.g., “HOW Cheyenne”)
Who it’s good for:
– Families wanting community and support
– Christian families
– Those wanting to reduce curriculum costs
– Beginners wanting mentoring
WATCCH (Wyoming Area Teacher Coordinating Christian Homeschoolers)
What it is: Sheridan-area Christian homeschool cooperative
Location: Sheridan and surrounding counties (Campbell, Johnson)
Structure:
– Co-op classes (some meeting 1-2 days/week)
– Lending library
– Monthly meetings
– Group field trips
– Curriculum pooling
Cost: Minimal membership; pay-per-class for co-op classes
What you get:
– Co-op class instruction (various subjects)
– Lending library (borrow curriculum before buying)
– Field trips
– Community
Contact: Search “WATCCH Sheridan” for current contact info
Who it’s good for:
– Sheridan area families
– Those wanting structured classes 1-2 days/week
– Families wanting to test curriculum before buying (lending library)
– Christian families
Active Regional Co-ops
Common Ground Homeschool Co-op (Laramie)
Location: Laramie area (Albany County)
Structure:
– Flexible class-based model
– Classes vary by semester
– Pay-per-class option
– Community meetings
– No mandatory full-year commitment
Cost: Pay-per-class (~$15-30/class) or semesterly membership
Subjects offered: Varies; typically literature, science, enrichment
Who it’s good for:
– Families wanting flexibility
– Those picking specific classes (not full participation)
– Laramie area families wanting community without rigid commitment
Jackson Hole Homeschoolers
Location: Jackson and Teton County
Structure:
– Monthly meetings
– Seasonal field trips
– Social gatherings
– Community building
– Flexible participation
Cost: Minimal to moderate
Who it’s good for:
– Jackson area families
– Those wanting outdoor-focused community
– Flexible participation model
Casper Area Homeschool Groups
Status: Several informal groups; check Facebook “Casper Wyoming Homeschool”
Structure: Varies; typically monthly meetings, informal classes, field trips
Cost: Minimal
Classical Conversations (Hybrid Option)
What it is: National classical homeschool program with Wyoming chapters
Presence in Wyoming: Strongest in Cheyenne; growing presence elsewhere
Structure:
– Hybrid model: students attend weekly community day (typically Wednesday)
– At-home instruction other days
– Classical education emphasis
– Structured curriculum, tutoring available
Cost: $200-400/month for hybrid participation (or $100-150/month online-only)
What you get:
– Weekly classroom instruction/community
– Classical education framework
– Built-in accountability and structure
– Strong college prep foundation
– Active community
Who it’s good for:
– Families wanting classical education
– Those wanting weekly classroom environment without full school
– Families wanting structure and community
– College-prep focused
How to Find Your Local Co-op
Step 1: Check Online
- Facebook: Search “Wyoming Homeschool” + your county name
- HOW website: Search for your local chapter
- Google: “[Your county] Wyoming homeschool co-op”
Step 2: Ask Established Families
- Contact HOW leadership in your area (they maintain local networks)
- Ask at your local library (librarians often know homeschool groups)
- Post in Wyoming homeschool Facebook groups
- Ask at churches (many co-ops meet in church facilities)
Step 3: Contact These Directly
For statewide info:
– Search “Homeschool Organization of Wyoming” + contact local chapter
For Christian co-ops:
– Local churches (ask if they host homeschool groups)
Step 4: Create One If None Exists
If your area has no co-op:
– Gather 5-10 families interested
– Start a monthly meeting (coffee, park, library)
– Gradually add classes or formal structure
– Register with HOW if you want broader network
Many successful Wyoming co-ops started informally with 6-8 families.
Evaluating a Co-op
Questions to Ask Before Joining
-
Philosophy/Values
– Is the co-op faith-based? Secular?
– What educational philosophy (classical, eclectic, unschooling)?
– Does it match your family values? -
Time Commitment
– How many days/week?
– What times?
– Are meetings mandatory or flexible?
– Can you attend occasionally? -
Cost
– What’s membership fee?
– Are there class fees?
– Are books/supplies extra?
– Refund policy? -
Classes Offered
– What subjects are taught?
– What grade levels?
– Can you pick individual classes or must you do all? -
Community Fit
– Do families seem friendly and welcoming?
– What’s the group’s size?
– How long has the co-op been operating?
– Do you know any families already in it? -
Parent Involvement
– Can you participate as much/little as you want?
– Is teaching required of parents?
– What volunteer roles are there?
Red Flags
- Unwelcoming to visitors
- Rigid structure with no flexibility
- Excessive cost for limited services
- High turnover (families leaving)
- Poor communication
- Leadership that isn’t transparent
Green Flags
- Welcoming, inclusive atmosphere
- Clear communication
- Flexible participation options
- Long-standing group (5+ years)
- Active, engaged leadership
- Good reputation (ask around)
Types of Co-op Models
Model 1: Social Co-op (Minimal Structure)
What it is: Families meet monthly for social time, support, and sharing
Structure:
– 1x/month meeting (coffee, park, potluck)
– Group field trips (2-4/year)
– Curriculum swaps
– Support and encouragement
Cost: Free to $50/year
Time commitment: 3-4 hours/month
Best for: Beginners wanting community without heavy structure; families mostly self-teaching
Model 2: Class-Based Co-op (Moderate Structure)
What it is: Parents teach 1-2 classes/week to all students; students attend multiple classes
Structure:
– 1-2 days/week meeting
– 3-5 classes offered (e.g., literature, science, art, physical education)
– Parents rotate teaching
– Field trips and social activities
– All families participate in teaching rotation
Cost: $100-300/year membership + supplies
Time commitment: 4-8 hours/week (including teaching prep)
Best for: Families wanting structure, instruction they can’t provide, built-in socialization; those wanting parental teaching roles
Model 3: Comprehensive Co-op (High Structure)
What it is: Co-op functions almost like a school; multiple classes, full-day programs, strong curriculum
Structure:
– 2-3 days/week (morning and afternoon)
– Multiple grade-level classes
– Core subjects taught by instructors
– Strong curriculum
– Regular testing/assessment
Cost: $300-600/year + class/instructor fees
Time commitment: 6-12 hours/week (more if teaching)
Best for: Families wanting school-like structure and comprehensive instruction; those wanting academic rigor; families replacing traditional school with co-op structure
Model 4: Hybrid Online + In-Person
What it is: Online instruction supplemented with weekly in-person classes (e.g., Classical Conversations)
Structure:
– At-home online or curriculum-based instruction most days
– 1 day/week in-person community/classes
– Combination of self-directed and group learning
Cost: $150-400/month depending on program
Time commitment: Flexible daily + 1 day/week
Best for: Families wanting flexibility with structure; those wanting online instruction + community; families wanting classical education
Multi-Co-op Participation
You can join multiple co-ops:
- Join HOW for monthly community and curriculum buying
- Join a local class-based co-op 1-2 days/week
- Participate in informal field trip groups
- Many families layer 2-3 groups
Example schedule:
– Monday: HOW chapter meeting or informal field trip
– Wednesday: Class-based co-op (literature, science)
– Friday: Informal park day with homeschool friends
– Rest of week: Home learning
What to Expect Your First Day
At a co-op visit:
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early
- Introduce yourself to the leadership
- You may observe classes or participate
- Meet other families
- Ask questions
- Take home literature/contact info
- No pressure to decide immediately (most co-ops allow visitors)
What to bring:
– Student (if classes are happening)
– Payment method (if joining immediately, though try first often free)
– Notebook/contact info (to exchange with other families)
What to prepare:
– Quick introduction of your family
– Questions about the co-op
– Idea of what you’re looking for
Starting Your Own Co-op
If no co-op exists in your area:
- Find 5-10 families interested (Facebook post, church, library)
- Have a planning meeting (coffee, zoom, lunch)
- Decide model: Social? Class-based? Hybrid?
- Agree on basics: Meeting time, location, cost, leadership
- Start small: Monthly meetings first; add classes later
- Register with HOW if you want broader network
- Keep it simple for first year; expand as needed
Most successful Wyoming co-ops started with one parent saying “I know 5 families who want community. Let’s meet monthly.”
The Co-op Advantage for Wyoming Families
- Community in a sparse state: Wyoming’s low population makes co-ops essential for socialization
- Shared resources: Bulk purchasing, lending libraries, shared field trip costs
- Instruction help: Teachers for subjects you’re less confident in
- Outdoor co-ops: Some focus on field-based learning (geology, wildlife, history)
- Accountability: Regular structure keeps learning on track
Key Takeaway
A good co-op can transform homeschooling from isolated to community-centered.
Start by visiting a local group (HOW chapter, church-based co-op, or informal group). See if the fit feels right. Most families who have access to co-ops use them; they’re worth exploring even if you’re hesitant about group participation.
Wyoming is small enough that your homeschool community is genuinely accessible and personable.
Next Steps
- Search Facebook for “Wyoming Homeschool” + your county
- Contact HOW chapter leader in your area
- Visit one co-op (just observe; no commitment)
- Ask current families what they like about their co-op
- Decide if structure/community appeals to you
- Join or create your local group
You’re not meant to homeschool alone. Community is out there—often just waiting for someone to show up.
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