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 Florida.
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 Florida.
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
Pinelands’ Enrichment Program
Pinelands’ Enrichment Program is a ministry of Pinelands Presbyterian Church. This academic homeschooling co-op provides, within a Christian atmosphere, opportunities that homeschoolers would not ordinarily have, by pooling together the resources and talents of parents, churches and community.
Mid-Florida Homeschoolers
MFH is a support group for parents of homeschooled children in the Orlando-area. They offer weekly park dates, co-ops, field trips, and more. Most of the activities are targeted to children aged 4-13, but all are welcome.
CHoSEN (Calvary HOmeSchool Educational Network)
CHoSEN (Calvary HOmeSchool Educational Network) is a network composed of moms and educators who have a desire to reach out to the homeschooling community using their gifts and talents to help educate and encourage their students to be lifetime learners.
Home Schoolers on the Ridge
Home Schoolers on the Ridge is a group of families who started meeting in 1986. They are a Christian based, but not Christian exclusive, organization. Membership is open to any home schooling family regardless of race, creed, religion, or national origin. They provide moral support and encouragement to homeschooling parents, social and educational opportunitites, field trips, and other special activities.
Tampa Area Home Ed
An online community for home educators in the Tampa, FL area. The group facilitator is a 22-year homeschooling veteran still teaching her two youngest. Are you looking for an e-group of down-to-earth people with real-life needs, feelings, and questions? Whether you're on the mountain-top waving high test scores, or spending "recess" with your head in your hands, there are bound to be a few here who can relate. This list is also for sharing helpful links and information, giving gentle advice (wit...
Awesome Acts Homeschool Fellowship
Awesome Acts Homeschool Fellowship (AAHF) is a Christian homeschool support group offering Christian homeschool fellowship, homeschool support, parent activities, weekly instructor led classes, field trips, and parties to homeschool families in the North Pinellas, South Pasco, and West Hillsborough areas.
Community Christian Homeschoolers
Community Christian Homeschoolers is a Christian support group serving families in Alachua and surrounding counties offering fellowship, support, and encouragement for parents: park days, field trips and other activities for their children. CCH began in 1985 with just a handful of families and has now grown to over approximately 70-75 member families. The large group meets two times each year for re-registration and an Information Fair. This large group is broken down into sub-groups of 5-10 fam...
Tallahassee Evangelical Association of Christian Homeschoolers (TEACH)
Tallahassee Evangelical Association of Christian Homeschoolers (TEACH) offers support and information to home educators by providing resources on curriculum, state laws, and educational opportunities. They also offer networking opportunities for homeschooling parents and children.
East Orlando Mommies Group
The place to find fun and educational activities for you and your little kids in the East Orlando area: UCF, Waterford Lakes, Avalon, Wedgefeild, Union Park, Bonneville, Bithlo, Christmas, Oviedo, Chuluota, etc. Check the calendar for fun things to do. Discuss an assortment of parenting topics. Meet up with other parents of young children from this area and hopefully have fun and make new friends along your parenting journey.
Alderwood Academy
5622 17th Ave. South
Gulfport, Fl 33707
Phone: 727-743-7460
Established to give the homeschool community the advantage of private school enrollment while maintaining the curricular freedom inherent in homeschooling, Alderwood Academy is a K-12 non-campus private umbrella school.
Florida Parent-Educators Association (FPEA)
The Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) exists solely to serve homeschooling families in Florida. The FPEA executes that mission through support for the legal right to homeschool, local school board education and interaction, support group networking, a state convention, local conferences and events, informative communications, and most importantly, by giving individual encouragement, all in accordance with Judeo-Christian principles.
Christian Family Educators of Orlando (CFEO)
This is a Christian support group offering park days, field trips, mom's support nights, and much more.
Lighthouse Homeschoolers, Inc.
Lighthouse Homeschoolers, Inc. is a Florida Not-for-Profit Corporation based in Lakeland, Florida. It operates as a cooperative group of homeschooling parents and children and provides support to interested homeschoolers throughout Polk County. They are Christian-based but not Christian-exclusive. Their purpose is to encourage family members in their homeschooling efforts by providing information, socialization, fellowship, and support.
Tampa Area Home Ed
A list for Christian home educators in the Tampa, FL area.
Florida Home Education Law
The Florida Home Education Law list exists to network all homeschoolers interested in legislative issues in Florida regardless of any group affiliation. Those homeschooling via a private school or the home education statutes are welcome to discuss issues here.
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