The Orchard Home Education Co-op

We are a community of believers who work cooperatively
to support each other in the Christian home education
and discipleship of our children
by sharing our time and talents with them.

The Orchard Home Education Co-op exists to enrich the home education of children from ages nursery through elementary while encouraging them to LOVE learning. (The middle school program will broaden as the younger children grow.)

As a true cooperative, all families pitch in to make it work. Besides the Leadership Team, members volunteer as tutors, field trip coordinator, room helpers, nursery workers, set-up/clean-up teams, and other areas the co-op needs to run well. (This is not a drop off co-op with paid tutors.)

The Orchard also ministers to home-educating parents by setting aside the second Thursday of the month for time to pray together, support each other, and have meaningful discussion while the children engage in a fun activity.

When We Meet

The Orchard Co-op meets three Thursday mornings of each month at New Life Evangelical Free Church of Hastings. There are also optional planned field trips that generally fall within the 4th week of the month.

First Semester—Sept. 10 - Dec. 10, 2026
Second Semester—Jan. 7 - May 6, 2027

See enrollment form for additional information

proposed Classes for 2026/27

(Recess/Snack time for all ages)

Nursery - General programming

Pre-Kindergarten
Music
PreK Basics
Creation/Process Art
Gym

Kindergarten-1st
Math Games
Music
STEM/Science
Crafts
Gym

2nd/3rd
Acting/Improv
Gym
Math Games
Baking Basics

4th and up
Science/STEM
Literature
Critical Thinking
Gym
(Public Speaking and Volunteer Opportunities will be
added to 2nd Thursdays or part of other classes)