Information for New Members
One of the benefits of MDHSA membership is eligibility to participate in Co-Op School with other MDHSA families. There are currently two Co-Op schools, Co-Op South (Five Forks, PA) and Co-Op North (Shippensburg, PA). Each Co-Op school is run on Tuesday mornings but they are quite different in structure. Please read about each program before you commit to attend either.

Co-Op South (Five Forks)
Co-Op South is held on Tuesday mornings during two 9-week semesters, Fall and Spring. The Fall semester begins on the second Tuesday after Labor Day and the Spring semester begins on the first Tuesday in February. Both semesters feature a “Showcase” on the 10^th week which is a time for teachers and students to exhibit what their class has learned and done during the semester.  

Each weekly session runs from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and consists of a 15-minute opening time and three 45-minute class periods. Classes are offered in the following age groups:  2-3 years, 4-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-11 years, 12 and up. There is also a nursery for infants and toddlers. Starting at age 6, there are at least two class choices offered per period.

Participating families register and pay a registration fee for every semester in which they choose to participate. Only children whose parents or legal guardians are members of MDHSA may register for classes. Day-care children of participating members may also attend co-op for an additional fee. (If you are a daycare provider, you will pay a flat rate per semester, no matter how many daycare children you are bringing.)   

Because it is a co-op, the parents do the teaching. The first semester you participate in co-op you are not required to teach, you are simply assigned as a “helper” during two of the class periods. This gives you a chance to get the feel of co-op and see how the set-up works. The remaining class period is your time to attend our parents’ meeting.  Each parents’ meeting is run by a facilitator and is a time for the parents to get together and talk about a variety of homeschooling issues and concerns. In many ways, it is a support group for homeschooling parents.

If you would like to participate in co-op school, we must receive your completed Registration Form and registration fee no later than July 1st for the Fall semester and no later than December 1st for the Spring semester.  New members just joining have until August 10th and  January 10th to send in the parent registration form, with the understanding that classes are on a first come first filled bases (so they may not get 1st choice for classes if you wait.)

A list of classes offered for the semester will be mailed to you along with a Student Registration Form. When you receive these forms, your child(ren) should select classes for each period. You must then return the form along with any class fees that may be listed (some classes have fees, some do not, depending on the supplies being used) by August 15 for the Fall semester and January 5 for the Spring semester. Approximately two weeks before the beginning of the semester, you will receive a list of classes for each child and an assignment schedule for yourself.

Co-Op North (Shippensburg)
Co-Op North meets every other Tuesday with an exception around election time in November. Unlike Co-Op South, Co-Op North meets for one 15-week term. Each Co-Op year beings in September and runs until the beginning of May, with a showcase on the 16th week.  Each session runs from 9:30 until 12:00pm. Three class periods are offered for students ages 3-4, 5-7, 8-10 and 11 & up. Nursery is provided for children ages 2 and under.

At times on the off-weeks, parents schedule field trips, special event days, and other activities which you may want to participate in but are not required. 

Membership fees are $45 for the entire year.  There are also class fees for the individual classes.

If you would like to participate in Co-Op North, we must receive your completed Registration Form and $45 registration fee no later than July 1st. New members just joining have until July 31st to send in their registration form, with the understanding that classes are on a first come, first filled basis (so they may not get 1st choice for classes if you wait.)

A list of classes offered for the semester will be mailed to you along with a Student Registration Form. When you receive these forms, your child(ren) should select 1st and 2nd choice classes for each period. You must then return the form and class fees by August 5th. Approximately two weeks before the beginning of the semester, you will receive a list of classes for each child and an assignment schedule for yourself.

See registration forms for commitee members.

See the following attachment for Co-Op North Policies:  Co-Op North Policies