Co-op

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Choose your adult volunteer spot. (required) i.e. Teacher (if you've arranged with us to teach this semester) or Classroom Assistant.  You will also have the option to tell us if you'd prefer to be in the nursery or preschool if you have a child in one of those rooms.
2. Choose one class in each block for each K-12 child.  All children/ teens must be enrolled in their own grade level for all 3 blocks (i.e. the grade they would be in the school system).  If you don't see one of the class options for your child's age group, that class has most likely been filled.
3. Select preschool and/ or nursery if needed.
4. Check out.  

For this school year, we lacked both the pool of high schoolers to serve, as well as parents willing to teach the high school classes.  But high schoolers are still more than welcome to participate!  They can choose each block to assist in a class of their choosing, or to have a study hall time with whatever work they would like to bring along.

*Please note that some classes fill fast.  If you are given an error when checking out, you may need to remove items from your cart and put them in again.  If a class says 'Add to wishlist' that means that class is full.  We will be removing those classes from view as they fill, but may not always see it immediately.*

2025-2026 School Year

*SPRING 2026*

-February 2, Noon- February 4, 11pm: Volunteer Teacher Registration window
-February 5, Noon: Spring General Registration opens
-February 19, 11pm: Spring Registration closes
-March 5, 10am-Noon: Spring Orientation (Required)
-March 12- May 7: Spring classes, every Thursday, 10am-1pm (no class March 19 for Spring Break)
-May 14: Semester showcase and Maker's Market (this is an opportunity for students to be young entrepreneurs and sell their creations!)

Orientation and classes will be held at:
Faith Assembly of God Church
5112 Lafayette Rd
Elk Run Heights, IA 50707

General Co-op Information

Classes:

CVHN co-op offers a variety of classes for K-12th graders.  Our offerings change between semesters, but we often have classes like art, science, drama, games, and foreign language.  Please look at the Co-op Class Schedule tab for most recent/ current offerings.  Each student chooses three classes each semester.  We also have a nursery and preschool for younger siblings and young children of volunteer teachers.  There is something for everyone!

Volunteers:
Volunteers are the very heart of co-op!  Our volunteer teachers are homeschool parents and retirees who love kids.  Parents also serve as volunteer helpers in classes, nursery, and the preschool.  We LOVE our volunteers and couldn't do co-op without them!

We are always happy to welcome new volunteer teachers.  If you would be interested in teaching, please contact us!  We are constantly impressed by the wealth of knowledge and fun that each new teacher brings to co-op!

Time:
10am-1pm, 1x per week, 8 week sessions
*Classes are from 10am-12:25pm. During the remaining time, we invite everyone to bring a sack lunch and stay for an optional social lunch period.

Cost:
$18 per child (on average). These fees cover class, preschool, nursery, and co-op materials.

CVHN Co-op Policies:

There are to be at least two adults present with every group of children.

Children and teens are required to be supervised at all times in the church, and at least one parent or guardian per family needs to be in the building at all times. Volunteer teachers are responsible for classroom rules for their own classes. If a child requires discipline, that child will be sent to his or her parent.

To help our classes run smoothly and safely for everyone, all children 12 months and older should be in their designated classroom (nursery, preschool, etc.), whether their parent is teaching or assisting. Infants 11 months and younger may remain with their parent (ideally in a carrier) or stay with our wonderful volunteers in the nursery.

Attendance Policy:

Our co-op thrives because of the dedication and presence of every participating family. When even one family is unexpectedly absent, it impacts all of us—specifically making sure that every class has the appropriate number of adults/helpers in the room.

Because we rely so heavily on everyone’s involvement, we ask that families prioritize co-op on Thursday mornings and avoid scheduling appointments, travel, or other general commitments during that time.

If a family misses more than 2 classes in an 8-week session without a legitimate reason (such as illness or emergency) and without prior communication with a co-op leader, we may ask them to sit out the remainder of the session and/or not register for the following semester.

Examples of absences that we cannot excuse include things like:
Family visiting from out of town (bring them with you!)
General appointments scheduled during co-op 
“Something came up”

We do know that fall and spring are popular vacation times for homeschool families, so missing one week of co-op for vacation is ok as long as it is cleared in advance with the admins. Similarly, we understand that medical specialists often have extremely limited schedules and patients don’t always have a choice for those appointments. If you have any questions about whether something would be considered an excused absence or not, please reach out to Rachel or Charlie.

We completely understand that life happens, and sometimes absences are unavoidable. But for co-op to run smoothly and fairly for everyone, consistency and communication are key. 

Please also plan to arrive on time each week so that classes can start smoothly and your fellow volunteers aren’t left scrambling.

Refunds: Materials for co-op are generally purchased immediately once registration closes, so this is the policy. If a family cancels their registration and a refund is requested before registration closes, a full refund will be given. If this request is received during the first 14 days after the last day of registration, a 50% refund will be given. After this 14 day period, no refunds will be given.

Behavior: All children and teens are expected to be in their assigned classes at all times. Children and teens should use respectful language, follow class rules as set out by each teacher, and exercise the golden rule in their interactions.

Adults: CVHN strives to be an open place for all homeschoolers. We respect the right of parents to direct their children’s education and to decide what they want their children to be taught. We have a variety of wonderful families from many walks of life who participate in co-op. With this in mind, adult volunteers are expected to be considerate of others and follow the golden rule in their interactions. If a topic is controversial, please be considerate in whether or not to approach it, and leave it alone if in doubt, especially in class. Pushing of agendas will not be tolerated. CVHN is a private entity and reserves the right to deny participation in anything offered for any reason deemed sufficient by its board.