Homeschool co-op and microschool curriculum, K–8
Picking curriculum for one student is hard enough. Picking it for a co-op means twelve families, four grades in one room, two parents who would rather teach in Spanish and one who has never taught science.
Today we opened a page for homeschool co-ops and microschools, and this post answers the questions co-op leaders ask us most.
What curriculum do homeschool co-ops use?
There is no single answer, and that is the problem. Many co-ops end up with a patchwork: one family's math, another family's science, a history unit someone found online. It works until a student moves up a grade and nothing lines up.
What helps most is one program that:
- covers every grade your families have, so no one is left out;
- uses the same lesson steps in every subject, so any parent can lead a class;
- lets each student work at their own level while the room shares a topic;
- keeps records you can print.
Our curriculum covers kindergarten to grade 8 in nine subjects, and every topic follows the same steps: Quick Check, "I show you," "We do it together," "You try," Practice and Show What You Know.
What is a microschool, and how is it different from a co-op?
A co-op is usually parents sharing the teaching, a day or two a week, while each family stays the homeschool of record. A microschool is a small learning community, often around 16 students or fewer, that may hire a guide and meet most days.
There is no federal definition. In a 2024 survey of about 400 microschools by the National Microschooling Center, about 55% operated under homeschool laws and about 37% as private schools (Stateline, 2025). Rules vary a lot by state, so check yours before you set one up.
For curriculum, the needs are almost the same: mixed grades, a small number of adults, and a plan that does not fall apart when a new family joins.
How do you teach mixed grades in one room?
Split the day into two kinds of time.
Grade-group time for math and reading, where skills build in a strict order. Each student works at their own grade.
Shared-topic time for science, history and world languages. The whole room works on one topic, each student at the grade that fits, and everyone shares the hands-on part.
Here is a sample class day from our co-op page:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 15 min | Opening and Quick Check for this week's math topic, at each student's grade |
| 40 min | Math in grade groups: a parent leads "I show you" and "We do it together" |
| 15 min | Break |
| 35 min | One shared science topic for the whole room |
| 30 min | History or world language, with discussion for older students and a song or game for the youngest |
| 20 min | Practice and Show What You Know, then review the wrong answers together |
Between class days, families finish practice at home, on screen or on a printed sheet.
How do you bring a new family into a co-op?
Start with the free Foundation Assessment. It shows where each new student's gaps start in math, reading or English level, so you know which grade group fits. It is a starting point, not a grade.
The free practice sheets are useful here too, and they can be copied for the students you teach.
How do co-ops keep homeschool records?
Each student's progress report shows every topic, score and date, and you can print it. Our free record-keeping pack adds attendance grids, portfolio covers and reading logs; find it in our free documents. For more, read Homeschool record keeping without the dread.
Your state's rules are still yours to meet. We are a publisher, not a school.
What about a bilingual co-op?
Every lesson is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. A family that speaks Spanish or Portuguese at home gets the same lesson in that language, the class stays on one topic, and parents can help in the language they know best. More in Bilingual homeschool in Spanish or Portuguese and English.
The program is for families of every faith, and churches and community groups can use a group plan just like a co-op.
How much does co-op curriculum cost?
A household membership covers one family. For a group, a group plan gives every student everything in a membership: every lesson in every subject, every digital flashcard deck, every learning game and storybook, saved progress and reward points. It is paid once a year, and the cost per student goes down as the group grows. The current prices are on the group plans page.
You tell us about your group with a short form. We reply by email, usually within two business days, and nothing is charged until you say yes.
Some families in a co-op also like printed books at home. Those are sold separately: single workbooks or grade bundles, each licensed for one household.
Can families try it before the co-op commits?
Yes. Everything below is free:
- The first topic of every grade in every subject.
- Free workbook samples, with the answer key.
- Practice sheets for every grade and subject.
- Flashcards, ten free cards in every deck.
- Learning games, one free adventure in each.
If you are a teacher with one class rather than a co-op, see Printable worksheets for teachers and English learners.
Running a co-op and missing something? Tell us on Share your ideas. Requests from groups help decide what we build next.
Common questions
Can one plan cover students at different grades?
Yes. A group plan gives every student every subject and grade, and each one keeps their own progress.
Can we print for class days?
A group plan includes everything in a membership, including printing the lesson pages you teach from. The free practice sheets can be printed and copied for the students you teach. Workbooks are sold separately and are licensed for one household.
How is a group plan set up?
Tell us about your group with the short form on the group plans page. We reply by email, usually within two business days, and set it up with you. Nothing is charged until you say yes.
Is UpOnly Learning a school?
No. We are a publisher. We do not give grades, credits or transcripts, and we are not accredited. Your state's rules are still yours to meet.
Can families try it first?
Yes. The first topic of every grade in every subject is free, along with a free sample of every workbook, the free practice sheets and the free placement test.