New Member Openings

Thank you for your interest in Cottage Garden! We apologize for the waiting time you have experienced as you consider the possibility of applying to join the co-op. We are in the process of amending our web site to help accomodate you, but do not have all of the materials in place yet.

The most important thing you can do as an individual who is interested in Cottage Garden is to read the policy form located on the menu bar above. If you are in agreement with the policy form, we would like for you to then read the answers to these frequently asked questions. But the policy form is much more important, so please read it first.

Here are the FAQ:

1. Who can join Cottage Garden?
Cottage Garden accepts new members based on the number of additional adults needed for the co-op to operate in the coming school year. We are seeking people who love the Lord Jesus, who want to develop relationships with other Christians and serve them, and who want their children to grow up to serve the Lord.

2. Do you have to be a certified teacher to join Cottage Garden?
Not necessarily. We often do need individuals who are comfortable teaching, but we also need people who are willing to serve in other capacities as well. This could include being a teacher's assistant, a preschool helper, or someone who helps clean the building. There are many ways that you can help.

3. How often does Cottage Garden meet?
Cottage Garden meets for three out of every four Mondays in a given month. We operate according to a regular school calendar, beginning in mid-August but ending in late April. We have an extended break between semesters for the month of December, but the older students have assignments to complete on our "off" weeks and during the extended Christmas break.

4. Can my children attend Cottage Garden without me?
No, this would not work. Cottage Garden is a working co-op, with each family contributing to the success of the school. All families must have at least one parent on-site working during the school day every Monday.

5. How expensive is it?
Cottage Garden is very affordable. The registration fee is generally between $35-$50 per semester for the entire family. Teachers are volunteers and are not paid, so the cost of individual class fees is set to only cover the costs of materials the teacher must purchase. Occasionally, a paid instructor is available for a class that current members do not feel qualified to teach, but enrollment in these paid classes is always optional.

6. Can I bring children in addition to my own?
You may only bring your own children, or those for whom you are the legal guardian.

7. What is the extent of my commitment to Cottage Garden after I join?
In joining Cottage Garden, you are making a serious commitment to all of the families within the organization. You will hopefully recieve some wonderful benefits by being a member, but you will also be relinquishing some of your personal freedoms, such as the freedom to drop out during the school year. As a member, you will be plugged into a key service position. It will be very difficult for the co-op to replace you after the year starts, so please carefully weigh the benefits and potential costs for your family in making this commitment for the school year . It is highly recommended that you visit the co-op to see first hand what it is like. Please contact Laura Coody at Coody1345@aol.com to schedule a visit to our school.

8. How can I register?
If you are still interested in Cottage Garden after reading the policy form, please allow us the opportunity to get to know you better by answering the following questions in an email format. Please email the questions and your answers to the following set of addresses. Be sure to include all of the addresses, because each of these individuals will have responsibility for selecting new members for Cottage Garden. We deeply regret that we cannot bring every individual who wants to join Cottage Garden into the co-op, but space is unfortunately limited. Please send an email with these questions and answers to the following addresses. Thank you very much.

Please just cut and paste the following e-mail addresses into the address field of your e-mail.

newmember@cottagegardentyler.com

Here are the questions to copy and paste into the e-mail.
Then just answer and send the e-mail:

1. Please list your name, email address, phone number, and today's date.

2. Why are you home schooling?

3. Please list the names and ages of your children, as of August of the coming school year. Please specify special needs that your child has that might affect their ability to succeed in a regular classroom environment.

4. Do you know anyone who is currently a member of Cottage Garden, or who was a member in the past? If yes, please list their names below.

5. Please also give us the names, contact information, and relationship to you of three additional people outside of your family who know you well.

6. In what way(s) do you hope Cottage Garden will be a benefit to your family?

7. What experience, if any, do you have in working with children?

8. Do you have any degrees or special training that you believe could be an asset to a homeschool co-op?

9. If you had a choice, how would you prefer to serve at Cottage Garden?

10. Is there any age group of children that you would decline working with?

11. Do you attend church? If yes, where and how often?