Whether you’re considering homeschooling and want an expert perspective or in the thick of it and looking for extra enrichment, this guide will give you west suburban groups, classes, and resources in one spot. Homeschool co-ops and groups all over the western suburbs encourage parents to work together to design learning and social experiences that are meaningful for their children. Meanwhile, homeschool enrichment classes and activities supplement the work you’re doing at home and provide social opportunities. Read on to find it all!
This guide is sponsored by Mattix Music Studio.
Mattix Music Studio
Join Mattix Music Studio for class times that homeschool families love! We have private lessons and group classes that fit every family’s interests and talents. Sign up now for musical fun for all ages!
Private Lessons
Ages 3-Adult
Piano, Violin, Viola, Voice
Learn one-on-one with their incredible faculty. Traditional and Suzuki Methods available 7 days a week.
Register at mattixmusic.com
Mattix Music Singers
1st-6th grade
Sing with your friends in our fun and engaging children’s choir!
Register at mattixmusic.com/singers
Mattix Music Studio is located at the Grand Avenue Community Center at 4211 Grand Avenue in Western Springs. Call (708) 638-3027 of visit their website for more information and schedules.
Classes Offered During the Day
Mattix Music Studio (Western Springs): They offer several ways to incorporate music into your day, including private lessons, choir, Music Together, and Rhythm Kids. More information about Mattix Music Studio can be found above towards the beginning of this guide or on their website: mattixmusic.com.
Classical Schoolhouse: Provides Christian-based classes for ages pre-k through high school.
Enlightium Christian Academy (Bloomingdale): Christian-based online homeschool programming.
Double J Riding Programs (Countryside): Science, animal and nature-based programs offered for various ages, including early education.
Homeschool Kingdom (Elmhurst): A co-op with scheduled both parent-led and instructor classes. These may include both standard and enrichment courses.
Eagles Wing Resource (Downers Grove): Classes including academic and creative exploration.
The Legacy Ranch (Lockport): Horseback riding lessons, equine-assisted therapy, and more.
Roots and Wings Home School Co-Op: a Christian co-op with weekly extracurricular classes for homeschooled children in the Lincoln-Way area.
Farmhouse Academy (Mokena): Homeschool cooking classes offered weekday mornings.
Classic Sewing (Naperville): Sewing classes for kids and adults.
One Day Enrichment (Oak Park): Enrichment-type classes offered on Fridays to enhance homeschool curriculum.
All-In Consulting and Educational Services (ACES) (Oswego): An education support group which also offers a la carte homeschool classes.
Riverside Center for Education: Educational and social sessions for boys, as well as co-ed or whole family activities.
The Greenhouse (Wheaton): “Co-school” Christian education offered as core or elective classes to home-schooled students.
STREAM Homeschool Enrichment (Wheaton): Arts and science classes offered as enrichment on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Eastern DuPage for Godly Education (EDGE) (Wheaton): Full day of enrichment classes offered on Fridays during the school year.
Suzuki for Homeschool Families (Western Springs, Naperville): Classical Suzuki music program lessons and classes.
American Music Institute (Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, St. Charles)
Homeschooling music classes such as lessons, choir, or band.
West Suburban Home School Band (Wayne): Community band for homeschool students with woodwinds, brass, and percussion sections
Crossroads Homeschool Sports Program: Basketball, football, soccer, baseball, track, volleyball and PE classes offered for homeschool students in northern Illinois.
Chromatic Music Conservatory (Oak Park): Violin and viola lessons online and in person.
You can also find more options for classes in our Guide to Kids Classes and Teams. We have found that most businesses in our area are very receptive to changing needs and are willing to create opportunities for our kids at different times of the day.
Homeschooling Groups and Co-ops
Classical Schoolhouse: offers support and help to equip parents to teach their children at home. They meet once a week throughout the year providing Christian-based classes for ages pre-k through high school.
Trinity: a Catholic homeschool support group with an online forum where families post and discuss classes and field trips.
HEART: a Christian support group for home educators located in the Bolingbrook area.
The Community Co-op: a family-oriented resource for homeschool families located in Oak Park and serving Chicago and its surrounding suburbs that offers homeschool enrichment activities.
Corridor 34 Homeschoolers: a social organization for homeschooling families in the Oswego, Plainfield, Aurora, and Naperville area.
South Suburban Homeschool & Gym Group: a cooperative group focused on social, physical education and creative experiences for home school families.
Chicagoland Homeschool Network: a hub of resources for families in the Chicago area to connect with homeschool resources and tools.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Homeschool Group (OLOG): a Catholic homeschool support group in the Joliet area.
Not sure where to begin? The Facebook group Homeschooling–New & Considering (West Chicago Suburbs) may help you start your research with parents going through your same decision making process.
There are also various Facebook groups available depending on learning style and curriculum used, such as:
- Homeschool co-op playgroup Plainfield/Joliet/Minooka
- Northern Illinois Lifeschoolers
- Homeschooling in Naperville and Beyond
- Will County Kendall Grundy County Homeschoolers.
- DuPage County Homeschoolers
- Illinois Homeschooling Families
- Homeschooling in the Fox Valley
- Downers Grove Area Homeschoolers
Check your local library for groups as well!
Homeschooling Resources
The Illinois State Board of Education has the homeschool registration form.
Illinois Christian Home Educators: provides support to Christian homeschooling parents in Illinois through resources and events.
HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association): a homeschooling advocacy group. They also offer online academy courses for grades 7-12.
Homeschooling FAQ
Myrza Cozzi, local mom of four and Classical Conversations Program Director, answered some commonly asked questions about homeschooling. Her perspective is helpful in deciding if you would like to homeschool your children longer term as well as learning how to support your friends and/or family that choose to homeschool.
How do you choose a curriculum to accommodate the different ages of your kids?
Most companies group their material by grade level. Where you decide to place your child depends on your child’s ability. Placement tests are available for math and reading for a better assessment. Once you have decided on a homeschool style, then you dig deeper in books that fit that style. My four children all follow the style I’ve chosen, and we veer slightly if I find a book (or set of books) that might work better for one vs. the other. The beauty of homeschooling is that you can adjust everything to the needs of your children. One child may do better with one math program while the other may struggle and need something more. There are so many choices when it comes to choosing curriculum. Homeschooling families often choose based on their child’s needs and the best fit for the family. Homeschool conferences are available where you’re able to listen to seasoned speakers, check out materials, and meet like-minded individuals.
How do you structure your day? Vacation days? Do you take “snow days”?
We start our day at 8:30 am by doing chores and having breakfast before sitting down to start school. We begin around 9:30 and aim to finish by 1:30. Some days may take a little longer (a toddler is involved). After school my kids do some independent reading before calling it a day. We school 5 days a week. Snow days? We school right through those. If we need a vacation, we take it.
How do you decide what day to start school for the year? Do you school year round? Do you have a summer vacation?
Many families do this differently. Some follow the public-school schedule with summers off and Holiday breaks. I give them a week off during the major holidays, and two weeks off during summer while I’m planning the following year. Summer is a lighter schedule with just math and reading for us. Year-round isn’t for everyone. Homeschool is all about flexibility, so it’s what you find works best for your family.
Do/will you homeschool through high school? Do you plan on your kids transitioning at some point to public school? Will there be some sort of testing required in order for the transition to occur?
There are families that school through high school, and others that stop and send their children to a traditional high school. My plan is to school them through 12th grade. Some high schools will allow a homeschooled child to take a class or two or even partake in sports or gym class. If this is something that interests you, I recommend calling your district to see what’s involved.
Homeschooled children will need to take a placement test when entering the public school system. I would assume this is true of any traditional school to better determine where the child places academically when entering a classroom.
Are there opportunities for homeschooled children to participate in sports?
There are many opportunities for sports. As a homeschooling family, we have more time now to add more to our schedule. There are classes & activities offered during the day for homeschooled children such as clubs, the park district, and some privately owned arenas.
Are you able to take advantage of any programs or classes at the local public or private schools on an individual basis?
I have heard that there are public and private schools that allow homeschool students to participate in gym class, but that is not available in our district. You would need to check with your local schools. There are so many other options available for homeschoolers through public libraries, park districts, private institutions/businesses, museums, churches, community colleges, forest preserves, etc.
What is your favorite aspect of homeschooling?
Freedom. Our children are best friends, and we get to watch them grow and learn side-by-side.
How can your non-homeschooling friends and neighbors best support your decision and efforts to homeschool?
Initially we were alone in this process because we didn’t know anyone that was homeschooling. I really spent months researching all I could and went looking for fellow homeschoolers. Luckily, we have a great support system around us (family, neighbors, and friends). Now that the country (and world) has been thrust into deciding between returning to schools under Covid restrictions or homeschooling (not to mention an ever-changing education system, I bet there is an abundance of resources out there now. It seems like more and more people are open and understanding of the idea of homeschooling.
What advice would you give a family that is considering homeschooling?
I would say that if you’re considering whether to homeschool your children, research all you can and reach out to other homeschooling families. Ask them questions! Homeschooling is a serious commitment. If you’re going to do it, see it through and plan ahead. Homeschooling is not remote learning or e-learning. It’s actually very different. For us, it was the best decision we ever made. It isn’t always easy, but it is extremely rewarding! Keep an open mind and heart when deciding. Patience before and during are key in this process.
Where do you recommend people start when they have made the decision to homeschool?
I would recommend first researching your state requirements. In IL that can be done by going to the Illinois Department of Education and researching the requirements: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Search-Results.aspx?k=homeschooling
Once the decision has been made, I would connect with other homeschooling families. Find someone or a few people who have been doing it a long time with older children (at least middle school age). You’ll get more seasoned advice from people who have been doing this a long time. You’re not alone so it’s nice to find others you can talk to.
You’ll want to figure out what your homeschool style will be (because there are several ways to do this), as well as the curriculum you’ll choose. I’ve created a blog to help families learn more: Homeschool 101 (classicalschoolhouse.com). Start reading books on homeschooling and just breathe.
Ultimately whatever you decide to do will be the best decision. Whether this is a temporary decision because of Covid or you’re in it for the long haul, my advice is, “Don’t Stress.” Homeschooling is not crisis mode schooling. This should not be one more stressor to add to your life. Even if you’re e-learning, you could add homeschooling to the schedule by reading aloud some favorite classics, adding some extra math, doing an occasional science experiment, learning a new language, or throwing in some art. There’s no “wrong” way and you won’t fail your child. Children are sponges and they will absorb all information. Know that you know your child better than anyone in this world, and because of this you are their best teacher.
Homeschooling vs, Remote Learning
As our schools went through huge changes to adjust to pandemic life, the concept of remote learning became prevalent. Families started to use the term “homeschooling” because so many of us across the country were schooling at home, but it’s important to note that remote learning and homeschooling are not the same.
With remote learning, a teacher from the school district is directing the topics and assigning lessons and the parents or caregivers are supporting and directing that learning at home. The method in which remote learning can occur varies widely, but can include live teaching, pre-recorded video lessons, worksheets, and project assignments.
Homeschooling is parent-led, which means that the parent(s) are the primary instructors. They keep track of progress and grades, as well as create level-appropriate assignments with or without support from purchased curriculums, local groups or co-ops, library resources, online guidance, and more.
Both have positive aspects and struggles, but the purpose of this guide is to give you resources for either of these situations so you can find support and help if you choose (or find yourself) in either of these learning situations.
Look for more activities that your homeschooler will like in our classes and teams guide.
Are we missing any groups or resources you love? Leave a comment below or email Annie at annie@mykidlist.com to tell us about it.
