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Key Takeaways:
- Homeschool Idaho: Primary statewide organization (annual convention, testing, community)
- Support groups exist in every major Idaho city (Boise, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene)
- Online communities provide support for rural families
- Support groups range from social to academic to spiritual
A homeschool support group is your lifeline. Whether you need curriculum advice, friendship, accountability, or just to know you’re not alone, Idaho’s active homeschool community has groups waiting to help you.
Homeschool Idaho (Statewide Organization)
The primary homeschool organization in Idaho.
History and Mission
- Founded: 2018 (merger of ICHE and CHOIS)
- ICHE: Idaho Coalition of Home Educators (est. 1992)
- CHOIS: Christian Homeschoolers of Idaho State (est. 1998)
- Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit
- Mission: Support, advocate, and resource homeschool families across Idaho
- Governance: Volunteer board of homeschool parents
What Homeschool Idaho Offers
Annual Convention
- Held each spring (typical attendance 500+ families)
- Curriculum vendors showcase materials
- Workshops on teaching, methods, legal issues, high school
- Networking opportunities
- Family activities
- Graduation ceremony for seniors
Community and Networking
- Local support group connections
- Facebook community and groups
- Email networks by region
- Member directory
- Annual membership benefits
Testing Services
- Administer Iowa Assessments for grades 3–12
- Provide test registration and proctoring
- Make scores available for families who want them
- No state requirement, but available if desired
Educational Resources
- Curriculum recommendations
- Method guides
- College prep information
- Special needs resources
- Information on dual enrollment
Legislative Advocacy
- Monitor Idaho homeschool legislation
- Defend homeschool freedom
- Update members on policy changes
- Coordinate advocacy if needed
Graduation Ceremony
- Annual celebration for homeschool graduates
- Official recognition of graduation
- Diploma presented (though families issue their own diplomas)
- Community celebration
How to Join Homeschool Idaho
Annual Membership: $50–$150 per year (varies by membership level)
Membership includes:
- Convention access
- Community connection
- Testing service discounts
- Resource access
- Email updates
Website: homeschoolidaho.org
Contact: Look for current board contact info on website
Join at: Annual convention or through website
Regional Support Groups by Area
Boise / Treasure Valley (Largest Community)
Homeschool Idaho Boise area:
- Active social co-ops
- Academic co-ops
- Classical Conversations communities (multiple)
- Church-based groups
- Subject-specific co-ops
How to find:
- Homeschool Idaho directory
- Search “Boise homeschool” on Facebook
- Ask at Homeschool Idaho convention
- Contact: See homeschoolidaho.org
Characteristics:
- Most options of any Idaho area
- Large, active community
- Multiple co-ops and groups
- Easy to find the right fit
Idaho Falls / Eastern Idaho
Support groups:
- Eastern Idaho Homeschool Association
- Classical Conversations community
- Faith-based groups (particularly LDS-friendly)
- Church co-ops
- Social groups
Key resources:
- BYU-Idaho connection (some resources for homeschoolers)
- Community college dual enrollment
- Active church homeschool ministries
How to find:
- Homeschool Idaho directory
- Facebook: “Idaho Falls homeschool”
- Local churches with homeschool ministries
- BYU-Idaho family resources
Twin Falls / Magic Valley
Support groups:
- Regional homeschool association
- Social co-ops
- Church groups
- Online community connection
How to find:
- Homeschool Idaho
- Facebook local groups
- Local library
- Word of mouth
Coeur d’Alene / Northern Idaho
Support groups:
- North Idaho Homeschool Association
- Local social groups
- Community connections
How to find:
- Homeschool Idaho
- Facebook “Coeur d’Alene homeschool”
- Local community centers
Rural/Remote Idaho
Challenge: Limited local groups
Solutions:
- Online support groups and communities
- Connect with Homeschool Idaho for resources
- Facebook online communities
- Classical Conversations online option
- Virtual co-ops
- Travel to nearest city for periodic meetings
Types of Support Groups
Social Support Groups
Focus: Friendship and community
Typical activities:
- Park days
- Playdates
- Field trips
- Holiday celebrations
- Social events
- Informal networking
Cost: Free or donation-based
Best for: New families, young children, building friendships
Academic Support Groups
Focus: Educational instruction and accountability
Typical activities:
- Co-op classes
- Study groups
- Curriculum sharing
- Academic enrichment
- Testing information
- College prep support
Cost: $100–$300/month (varies)
Best for: Families wanting structured instruction and accountability
Spiritual/Faith-Based Groups
Focus: Christian community and faith-integrated education
Typical activities:
- Bible study
- Prayer and fellowship
- Faith-integrated curriculum sharing
- Church-connected programs
- Spiritual mentoring
Cost: Free or donation-based (often church-affiliated)
Best for: Faith-centered families, Christian community building
Curriculum-Specific Groups
Focus: Families using specific curriculum (Classical Conversations, Sonlight, Charlotte Mason, etc.)
Activities:
- Curriculum discussion
- Resource sharing
- Teaching tips
- Group classes with curriculum
Cost: Varies; often combined with co-op cost
Special Needs Groups
Focus: Families with children who have learning differences, ADHD, autism, giftedness, etc.
Activities:
- Resource sharing
- Encouragement
- Specialist recommendations
- Accommodations discussion
- Specialized instruction access
How to find:
- Ask Homeschool Idaho
- Search Facebook for “Idaho homeschool special needs”
- Contact local disability organizations
- Check with therapists/specialists who may know groups
Online Communities
Best for: Rural families, specific interest groups, 24/7 access
Popular Idaho-related groups:
- Homeschool Idaho Facebook group
- Regional Facebook groups ([City] homeschool)
- HSLDA online communities (subscription-based)
- HomeschoolingInIdaho.com forums
Benefits:
- Connect anytime
- Ask questions 24/7
- Access support without driving
- Find specific expertise
What to Look for in a Support Group
Community fit:
- Values alignment (faith, education philosophy, etc.)
- Welcoming to new families
- Diverse (different methods, beliefs, backgrounds represented)
- Supportive rather than judgmental
Practical benefits:
- Meets at convenient times/locations
- Offers activities your family wants
- Reasonable cost
- Clear communication
Leadership:
- Organized but not controlling
- Responsive to member needs
- Transparent about decisions
- Volunteers take turns, not burned out
Getting Involved
First Steps
- Find local groups: Homeschool Idaho directory or Facebook
- Attend a meeting: Most welcome visitors
- Ask questions: Get to know the group before committing
- Try it: Participate for 1–2 months before deciding
- Get involved: Volunteer, share, build community
Levels of Involvement
Light involvement:
- Attend social events occasionally
- Participate in Facebook group
- Go to annual convention
Moderate involvement:
- Attend regular meetings
- Participate in activities
- Help with occasional tasks
Heavy involvement:
- Lead classes or activities
- Serve on leadership
- Coordinate field trips
- Support other families
Choose what fits your family.
Starting Your Own Support Group
If no group exists in your area:
Steps:
- Survey local homeschool families
- Identify what families need
- Start small (monthly park day, Facebook group)
- Grow organically
- Connect with Homeschool Idaho for resources
Resources for new groups:
- Homeschool Idaho can help connect you
- Use free platforms (Facebook, Google Groups)
- Start with simple structure
- Build leadership over time
Connecting Online
Homeschool Idaho Online
- Facebook: Search “Homeschool Idaho”
- Website: homeschoolidaho.org
- Email: Check website for current contact
Idaho Homeschool Facebook Communities
- Boise Homeschool
- Idaho homeschool groups by region
- Classical Conversations Idaho
- Subject-specific Idaho groups
- Homeschool Idaho Official Group
National Resources for Idaho Families
- HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association): Membership-based organization with online community
- 4-H Idaho: Online and local STEM programs
- Homeschool.com forums: General homeschool community
Benefits of Joining a Support Group
Practical:
- Curriculum advice from families who use it
- Field trip partners
- Shared resources
- Cost savings (shared curriculum, bulk purchases)
- Accountability and motivation
Emotional:
- Encouragement and support
- Friendship and community
- Confidence from shared experience
- Mentoring from experienced families
Educational:
- Access to specialized instruction
- Professional development (workshops)
- Testing and evaluation services
- College and high school guidance
Social (for children):
- Peer friendships
- Group learning experiences
- Collaboration skills
- Community participation
Important: You Don’t Need a Support Group to Homeschool
While groups are valuable, they’re not required. Many families:
- Homeschool independently and thrive
- Build community outside formal groups
- Use online resources instead
- Focus on family education
Choose based on your family’s needs, not obligation.
Final Thoughts
Idaho’s homeschool community is robust, welcoming, and diverse. Whether you’re in Boise’s large metro area or rural Idaho’s remote corners, there’s a group—or a way to build one—that fits your family.
Start with Homeschool Idaho. Attend the annual convention. Find your people. Build your village.
Homeschooling is easier, richer, and more joyful when you have community.
Quick Reference: Getting Started
- Join Homeschool Idaho (homeschoolidaho.org)
- Membership: $50–$150/year
- Access to convention, community, resources
- Find your regional group
- Use Homeschool Idaho directory
- Search Facebook for your area
- Ask at convention
- Attend a meeting
- Go with an open mind
- Ask questions
- Connect with families
- Try it for a season
- Give it time to feel comfortable
- Participate in activities
- Build relationships
- Decide your level of involvement
- What works for YOUR family
- Light? Moderate? Heavy?
- It’s okay to adjust
You’ve got this. Idaho’s homeschool families are waiting to welcome you.
For more on homeschool structure, see Idaho/homeschool coop idaho. For curriculum community, see Idaho/best homeschool curriculum idaho.