Finding homeschool groups and co-ops in Texas

The Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) is a statewide homeschool advocacy organization. Its website offers a support group finder along with legislative updates and an annual convention. THSC describes itself as a Christian organization, and some of its services are for paying members.

Support groups and co-ops in Texas are run independently by parents, churches and community organizations. Some are faith-based, some are secular, and some are open to all. A listing on any directory isn't an endorsement, so visit, ask questions and read a group's statement of faith or policies (if it has one) before joining.

• Ask other homeschoolers. One family usually knows several groups.
• Your public library. Many Texas libraries run daytime programs, clubs or homeschool days, and staff often know which groups meet nearby.
• Churches and community centers. Many co-ops meet in church buildings, and some churches run their own homeschool programs. Ask whether a program is limited to members or open to the wider community.
• Museums, zoos, parks and nature centers. Many run homeschool days or classes, which are a good place to meet local families.
• Facebook and other online groups. Search for your city or county with "homeschool". Check who runs a group before sharing personal details or your children's photos.

"Co-op" covers a wide range of arrangements. The main types:

• Enrichment co-ops: families meet weekly or every other week for electives such as art, music, drama, PE, science labs or field trips. Parents usually teach or help in exchange for low fees.
• Academic co-ops: classes cover core subjects such as writing, math or high school science, often with homework between meetings. Some hire paid teachers; fees are higher.
• Hybrid programs (sometimes called university-model schools): students attend classes on campus two or three days a week and complete assigned work at home on the other days. Check whether a hybrid program is a private school your child enrolls in or a service that supports your homeschool, because that affects who keeps records and issues the diploma.
• Social and support groups: park days, field trips, moms' nights and graduation ceremonies, with little or no formal teaching.

Before joining, ask about cost, parent duties, the time commitment, ages served, statement-of-faith requirements and the refund policy. In Texas you remain responsible for your homeschool's bona fide curriculum, so keep records of co-op classes with your other homeschool records.

Since the 2025–26 school year, SB 401 requires Texas school districts to give eligible homeschool students the opportunity to take part in University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities — athletics, academics, music and other UIL events — unless the district's board adopts a policy opting out.

Students generally participate through the public school they are zoned to attend and must meet eligibility conditions set out by the UIL. If the zoned school's district has opted out, the UIL FAQ explains when a student may participate at the nearest school that allows homeschool participation. Check the UIL homeschool FAQ and contact your district before the season starts.

Outside UIL, Texas law doesn't guarantee homeschoolers access to public school classes or other activities. Each district sets its own policy, so ask your local district.

• Texas 4-H: the youth development program of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, open to youth in 3rd through 12th grade (ages 8 to 18), with projects ranging from animals and food to leadership and public speaking. Texas 4-H says the best starting point is your county Extension office; programs and enrollment details vary by county. Ask your county office about options for younger children.
• Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) runs Cub Scouts (kindergarten to 5th grade), Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts and Exploring, open to boys and girls. Use the Be A Scout locator to find nearby units by ZIP code and contact a leader. Some units meet at churches or are chartered by faith organizations, so ask about each unit's setting.

Some homeschool groups form their own 4-H clubs or Scout units, which can make meeting times easier for homeschool families.

If you can't find a good fit, many co-ops start with just a few families. Practical steps:

• Start small with three to five families who share your goals.
• Decide the model: enrichment, academic, social or a mix, and which ages you'll serve.
• Find a venue. Libraries, community centers, parks and churches are common. Ask about rental fees, insurance requirements and any conditions on use.
• Write simple policies covering fees, parent duties, supervision, discipline, photos and privacy, and how disputes are handled.
• Decide on structure. Some co-ops stay informal; larger ones form a nonprofit and buy liability insurance. Get advice from an accountant or attorney if you plan to handle significant money or hire teachers.
• Set a background check policy before the first meeting (see below).

Texas doesn't have one required background check for volunteers in private homeschool co-ops, so each group sets its own policy. Public tools a co-op can use:

• Texas DPS conviction database: a name search of Texas convictions and deferred adjudications reported to the Department of Public Safety. It covers Texas records only, and a name search can't positively confirm identity.
• Texas Public Sex Offender Registry: the official DPS public registry search. DPS notes that name-based searches aren't always accurate and that not every registrant appears publicly.
• National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW): a U.S. Department of Justice site that searches public sex offender registries from all states in one search, free of charge.

For larger co-ops or groups that hire teachers, a commercial background screening service with the person's written consent gives a fuller picture. As a point of comparison, Scouting America requires criminal background checks for all its adult leaders and requires its volunteers to complete Safeguarding Youth training.

Everyday practices matter as much as checks: keep classroom doors open or windows uncovered, avoid one adult alone with a child who isn't their own, have parents stay on site, and agree on how concerns are reported.

Socialization is one of the first questions homeschool families hear. Homeschooled kids' social lives look different from school: more mixed-age contact, more time with adults, and friendships built through co-ops, church, sports, clubs and community activities.

It takes deliberate planning. Weekly commitments, such as the same co-op, team or club each week, tend to build friendships better than occasional field trips. For teens, UIL activities, 4-H, Scouting, volunteering, part-time jobs and dual credit classes can add new friendships and responsibilities.