FAQs

Q:

A:

SCC members of the co-op organize and participate in:

• A wide array of class choices for your child(ren)
• A place to hang out, work and connect with other parents
• A whole community of homeschoolers for yourself and your child(ren)
• Access to our community service initiatives, clubs, field trips, and get-togethers

Q:

A:

Our adult members are the ones who make the co-op happen! They are involved by:

• Teaching or co-teaching two class periods each week or sometimes one of these slots will be filled by door monitoring if that fits the schedule better
• Monitoring your own children, particularly when they aren't in class
• Helping with set up or closing one day per week
• Serving on a committee or the Board of Directors
• Suggesting topics for future classes

For a more detailed explanation, see the Member Responsibilities page.

Q:

A:

In order to make the co-op run, members need to pitch in to get everything done. 

• Morning Setup – arranging chairs and tables, putting out supplies, posting signs, etc.
• Door Monitor – staffing the front door and monitoring the front hall
• Closing Clean­up – emptying trash, wiping tables, storing chairs and tables, vacuuming, etc.

Q:

A:

Yes, classes and other co-op activities are available only to members.

Q:

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Yes, though we don’t offer classes for kids under 5. Younger kids often play outside or play in our nuserey area. They are also often tagging along with parents as they do their member responsibilities. Parent are responsible for monitoring young kids or working with other members to take turns watching kids.  

Q:

A:

Adult involvement is essential to the successful operation of the co-op. We rely on adult members to teach classes, serve on committees, and perform needed jobs during the course of the day. Please contact [email protected] if due to work or other scheduling conflicts you want to brainstorm ways to fulfill your obligations to the co-op in a non-traditional way! 

Q:

A:

We serve families with children from age 5 through the end of high school. No formal program is offered for children under 5, but parents are welcome to self-organize trips to the park or activities in common areas. At least ONE of your participating children must be age 5 or older.

Q:

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All of our classes are run by parents, guardians, and the occasional grandparent.

Q:

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Classes offered depend on the cohort interests and parent / teacher skills.  We aim for a wide variety of classes that enable us to share every co-op member's talents and interests. Take a look at our Class Schedule page to see what we're offering this semester and know that classes tend to change over time as different members come through co-op. 

Q:

A:

We ask that you submit at least one class idea to the Registrar each semester. This could be a class that you yourself would like to teach, or that you would be willing to assist someone else to teach, or simply something that you would like to see the co-op offer. When you join the co-op, you will be asked to indicate what types of classes you might be interested in helping to teach or facilitate.

Q:

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Eventually, yes! Each family is a part of the offerings that we create each semester. Often new families will be a helper in a class that has a lead teacher who is doing all the class planning, or if teacher slots are full, you might take door duty spots. Teaching can run the gamut from teaching science to leading a board games class to running a book club. We encourage parents to think of what would be more fun/rewarding in group setting rather than teaching your kid one-on-one at home. If you have special skill or talents let us know! 

Q:

A:

As a parent-led, volunteer organization without access to special education staff, we are not equipped to serve students with certain emotional, social, psychological, or physical needs. Parents are welcome to come with their child to class to offer support. We encourage parents to talk to the teachers (other parents!) about how they might support your child in class. 

Q:

A:

We meet on most Tuesdays and Thursdays during our semesters except for some holiday weeks. Some parents organize field trips and other meet ups on other days. 

Q:

A:

We have the building between 9:15am and 2:45pm each Tuesday and Thursday.

Classes begin at 9:30am and last 65 minutes, with a 10 minute break between classes.

Lunch is 75 minutes long.

Classes end at 2:20pm.

Q:

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If Montgomery County Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather, the co-op is closed. If the Montgomery County Public Schools are delayed, the co-op will open on time.

Q:

A:

Our Membership Fee is based on the number of children in your household attending SCC, regardless of how many classes each child is taking. The cost for one child is $250 per semester, with each additional sibling discounted 25% ($187.50 per child per semester). This fee goes to cover our rent, insurance and other overhead costs.

Q:

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Some teachers who use dedicated curriculum and supplies in their classes ask for an additional materials fee. These go directly to the teacher and are used for extra or special materials not provided by the co-op. The amount of the Materials Fee for a class will often be listed in the class description.

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The Membership Fee for new members is due when you join the co-op and is required in order to be able to register for classes. For returning members, the Membership Fee is due when class registration for the semester opens up. Materials Fees are not due until three weeks into the term, so that you can be sure you have chosen the classes that work best for your child.

Q:

A:

Membership Fees can be paid via PayPal through our website. If you cannot pay using PayPal, please contact [email protected] to arrange payment by other means. A $35 fee will be assessed for any check returned by the bank for insufficient funds. Materials fees are paid directly to the teacher. Each teacher decides how they will collect their materials fees.

Q:

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We don't want the cost of SCC to be a barrier to participation. We offer payment plans as well as partial and full scholarships. To set up a payment plan, contact [email protected]. If you need financial assistance to be able to participate, please reach out to us by clicking the Scholarship button on the website, or emailing [email protected].

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Membership Fees are refundable for the first 30 days after the beginning of the semester, or the student's date of enrollment, whichever is later. Full or partial refunds for Materials Fees are at the discretion of each teacher.

Q:

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We rent space in a charming historic building near downtown Silver Spring and close to East Silver Spring ES. We have access to about half a dozen classrooms, a large multi-purpose room, and a shady outside area. There is a park with a playground and open space a couple of blocks away. Downtown Silver Spring and Sligo Creek are within a few minutes’ walking distance.

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A:

Our building does not have a parking lot, but does have off-street parking available in its half-circle driveway for those with mobility issues. This same area can be used temporarily, to load/unload heavy items you may be bringing to the co-op. CAUTION: The driveway is NARROW. Those parking there should take care to leave room for cars to pass to prevent dings to either vehicle.

Free on-street parking is available directly across from the building and in the surrounding neighborhood.

Q:

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Yes! We are about a mile from the Silver Spring Metro station. The F4 Metrobus line and the 16,17, and 20 Ride-On bus lines stop near our building. There is a Capital Bikeshare station right near us, as well.

Q:

A:

The building where we meet is historical, but has had accessibility upgrades. There is an accessible door into the building, as well as an elevator. If you have mobility issues, please reach out to us and we can go over the details with you. We will do everything possible to make the facility accessible for you.

Q:

A:

Yes. The co-op owns two microwaves as well as coffee and tea making supplies. We are also permitted to use part of the building’s kitchen refrigerator, though all members must remove their items from it by the end of each day. Peanuts are not permitted at SCC for the safety of members with life-threatening allergies. Depending on the allergies of current members, you may be informed of other prohibited foods. We have a large eating area which is also the center of social activity throughout the day. Everyone is responsible for cleaning up after their children after lunch and at the end of the day.

Q:

A:

SCC does not permit peanuts OR tree nuts. Other restrictions may be added depending upon current members’ needs. Our host does not restrict any food in their building so allergens may be present from other activities.

NOTE: We currently do not allow peanuts OR tree nuts at co-op due to member needs.

Q:

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We rely on our members to treat the space that we rent with care and respect to maintain a good relationship with our host. Members will be responsible for any property damage caused by themselves or their children.

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We are a diverse, secular and welcoming community, comprised of members of many different racial and ethnic identities. Some of our members were born in other countries and speak more than one language. We have members from different faiths, and members with no religious affiliation. We have adults and students in our community who identify as LGBTQI+ and we are committed to making our co-op a safe space for everyone, regardless of identity or lifestyle. We value tolerance and celebrate the opportunity to learn from and about each other’s cultures.

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The co-op is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. You may obtain a copy of our by-laws by contacting our secretary at [email protected]. We have a volunteer Board of Directors that includes a president, treasurer, secretary, and 2 to 8 other members who oversee specific areas such as registration, classes, facilities, etc. Other non-board members help out with tasks such as coordinating co-op jobs, managing our website, organizing events and so on. We hold monthly member meetings and regularly poll the community for input on current issues. The co-op runs best when everyone joins in and contributes!

Q:

A:

Students are expected to give attention to their classes and follow their teachers’ guidelines. Classroom norms will vary according to the class, with some relatively quiet and structured and others very active and freeform. If a student is disruptive and does not respond to their teacher’s guidance, the teacher may reach out to the parent to discuss class expectations and how they might support the student. SCC has experienced teachers willing to help other teachers and parents work through challenging situations. If you have concerns about how a class might work for your child we suggest starting discussion with the teacher before the class starts. 

Q:

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Everyone, adults and students, are expected to behave respectfully toward each other. Our member agreement outlines the details of our policy regarding expected behavior. SCC uses a restorative justice approach to address conflict and uphold our shared values of accountability, community care, and relationship-building. 

Q:

A:

No, SCC is not a drop-off program. SCC is a community-focused learning environment and we believe that it's important for members to be on the school grounds while their child(ren) attend(s) class. Parents or guardians are responsible for their kid(s) at all times. If you need to leave your child for a short period of time once the child is comfortable at SCC you can asign another adult as a proxy who take responsiblity for your kid(s.) 

Q:

A:

Although we expect parents to be on-site with their child(ren), you may temporarily leave your child in the care of another parent in the event you need to leave co-op for a period of time. There is a place on site to note who your childs "proxy" adult is.  

Additionally, all families should complete a Medical Release Form for each of their children, which will be kept in the Door Monitor Binder in the event a child needs to receive emergency medical care and their parent is not on-site.

Q:

A:

Yes. Parents or guardians may designate another caregiver (i.e. grandparent, nanny) to serve as their child’s guardian at the co-op with prior approval. That person will then be the one to fulfill all of the member responsibilities Please email [email protected] if you will need to exercise this option.

Q:

A:

• If you have symptoms of any communicable disease (e.g. runny nose, sore throat, fever, vomiting) we strongly recommend taking extra precautions (wash hands frequently, wear masks, avoid close contact with others) while at co-op (SCC will provide masks if needed.)
• Caregivers should use their best judgment about whether their child is capable of taking such precautions. If in doubt, keep them at home.
• If you have had a fever, please do not come to co-op until you have been fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications.
• If you have had vomiting or other gastronomical distress, please do not come to co-op until you have been symptom free for 24 hours.
• If someone else in your household has symptoms of any communicable disease, but you are not sick yourself, we strongly recommend that you take extra precautions to wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, and avoid close contact with others.

Q:

A:

Any SCC Member is welcome to wear a mask when they feel it is appropriate, outdoors or indoors. SCC follows CDC guidelines; when masks are not being recommended by the CDC, all indoor and outdoor space is mask-optional. Mask requirements would change with CDC guidance. Community members are welcome to make a request to the class teacher (or board president(s)) for a class to be masked to take into consideration a family’s health circumstances (e.g. immunocompromised member of the household). We encourage these requests to be made before the start of the semester.

Q:

A:

SCC is a community that relies on trust and science. We value the health of all of our members. We expect everyone to get vaccinated in a way that best considers the health of others in the community. We reserve the right to revisit this policy in accordance with CDC guidelines, local public health authority guidance, and changing public health information.