echc

Our focus is an outpouring of our commission to  bring up our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). We believe that God cultivates the desire and equips you to educate your children at home. Every family has their own vision for their children’s home education. Our goal is to help support families in that vision, demystify homeschooling, encourage parents in their call to homeschool, fill in educational gaps, provide social connection, offer an array of amazing classes, strengthen the homeschool community, and above all inspire faith 

Our co-op is a homeschool cooperative led by, taught by, and run by parents.  One parent, guardian, or appointed responsible adult from each family is required to stay on campus and help in some capacity with set up, cleaning, special projects, teaching, assisting in a class, or coordinating.  We are not a drop off program. There are many jobs to be done, and many hands make light work. Your partcipation is what keeps costs low and the work load easy. 

There are other wonderful co-ops and educational offerings in our community. ECHC is not here to replace or compete but to complement and offer an alternative that will serve the needs of those called to be here.

ECHC is a weekly school type setting for birth through highshcool. The day is broken into blocks/periods and runs from roughtly 9am to 2:30pm on Tuesdays. There is a chapel in the middle of the day, a (bring your own) lunch, and a recess time. Each 55 minute block aims to offer academic or elective classes for each age group, including childcare/nursery for children birth to age 3.  

Each semester will have a focus that culimates in a dynamic student showcase opportunity. Science fair in Fall, Litterature, History, or maker's market/economics with a fair at the end of each semester/session. 

Classes are taught by and assisted by parents or approved adults. We encourage parents to have at least one block free to connect with other parents (for many of us, this is our favorite part of the day).

Extra Curricular: Our co-op provides extras that your children can sometimes miss out on in a homeschool setting like lunch & recess, science & literature fairs, group field trips, all co-op picnic, Christmas programs, Co-op craft fair (makers market), special performances, mom's night out, teen's night out, Senior banquet (a fun family alternative to prom), graduation, and end of the year celebration. 

Legal requirements: The state of Washington requires parents of homeschooled children, age 8 and over, to either test or get a professional assessment yearly. We help answer questions for homeschool families including forms and assistance with filing your intent to homeschool, testing opportunities, homeschool assessments, and more.  

Homeschool Assessments: 

WA ST LAW REQUIRES tesing or assessment by a certified professional. We offer an option for your family with our favorite assessor: Scooter Perlwitz (WA Certificate #503948B) 

• Email: scooter.edex@gmail.com
• Phone Number: 360-775-0440 

Math Tutoring:

We recommend a wonderful local math tutor to help with all of your math needs!

Joanna Dipple

• Email: thestorymaker17@gmail.com
• Phone Number: 425-765-4147

We are run by parents! Parents teach at least one class or serve in another task such as assisting in classes or sometimes other jobs needed on co-op day. Your class may run for one or continue for both semesters (this set up helps keep parents from burn out). What ever your tasks, during our co-op day, it is mandatory that a parent/guardian who has filled a background check is in attendance. We ask that whatever your job on Tuesdays, reserve at least one full block for "coffee hour” for fellowship and encouragement, and a little you time. While we have a leadership team, parents are always welcome to board meetings. This may feel like a weekly school but parents are 100% in control.

There is a place for every child from birth through high school graduation. Beyond classes, students participate in chapel. They help with set, clean up, and other aspects of the co-op operation or events. This model for co-op school has been successful in giving students an important classroom experience vital for continued education, providing required classes, and connections, as well as group experiences that are sometimes difficult as homeschoolers. Friendships that are made here can last a lifetime. For many students, co-op is the highlight of their week.

Expectations for student conduct are described by the STARS program. 

A STAR Student...Submits to authority, Tries their best, Abounds in good deeds, Respects others, Shows kindness 

Each semester will culminate in a special student showcase presentation night that each student may participate in (science fair, litterature, history, makers market fairs). Students can do individual or group projects. This is a wonderful way to encourage student project, presentations, public speaking.

CHOOSING CLASSES FOR YOUR CHILDREN:

Parents choose classes for their children as part of the enrollment process, once the list for the semester is complete. Classes can fill up quickly. We will always try to accommodate every family's need but to show appreciation and as an incentive those who volunteer as leaders and teachers have first priority in class selection.

CHOOSING TO TEACH:

Parents and vetted adults volunteering are our teachers. Parents may choose to co-teach with a friend to share the responsibillites. All must sign our statement of faith.

Parents can choose to teach from an area of expertise, interestes, or classes you would like your own kids to take or work with our coordinator who can help you choose and develop a class. We have suggested classes that fit within our focus for the semester as well. 

Parents also submit requests for specific classes they might desire for their children.

From these submissions the board creates a schedule of classes for preschool through 12th grade. The board assigns non-teaching parents assitant roles or nursery duties. Not all classes submitted are chosen for a particular semester as there may be repetitive offerings, conflicts in the schedule, lack of space or interest, or a greater need. Classes may be academic or elective (we will strive to offer one of each in every block).

When choosing what to teach, you can find many resources for unit studies, sharing areas of interest, your passions and experience, and pre-made classes with syllabuses. Below is a list of popular classes taught at other co-ops that might inspire you. Parents often choose to teach a subject that they had already planned on teaching at home. For continuity, all teachers must sign our statement of faith and agree to not contradict the statement issues in the classroom.

HERE ARE SOME RESOURCES FOR CLASS IDEAS:

https://www.seattlechristianhomeschool.org/class/?public=1&private= 

https://www.homeschool-life.com/1292/class/?public=1&private= 

https://hummingbirdhomeschool.com/homeschool-blog/homeschool-coop-classes-ideas 

https://www.homeschool-life.com/1000/file_retrieve/32915

https://www.walkingbytheway.com/blog/homeschool-co-op-class-idea-list/ 

Registration:

-Registration for both Fall and Spring semesters is $125 per family of any size

-Half year registration for per semester is $75  

-Special short sessions (Christmas, Spring, or Summer for example) $25

Those who register for a full year get a price break and priority in class selection

Those who register after the end of August (date t.b.a.) will pay $10 more 

Note: We hope to have scholarships available for financially challenged families. If you are interested in a scholarship please contact us.

What your money goes to:

You registration fee covers the costs of office and cleaning supplies, website, insurance, utillities, and other basics. 

Classes:

Individual classes may also have a nominal fee for required books or supplies. A one time charge will vary but we encourage teachers to keep these cost as low as possible.

Background Checks: Everyone over the age of 18 must fill out a background check form. Age 18 students included.

Guests: Unregistered guests, children and adult family members, may visit co-op but we require advanced notice and they must sign a guest form. This is a great way to share co-op with friends and family.

Temporary Guardianship: If you cannot be with your child for Tuesday school or ECHC events you will need to assign another adult responsibillity by filling out our guardianship form.

Registration: We encourage everyone to register for all periods/blocks of classes or choose study hall. However, this is entirely up to your famiy. We do require participation in chapel.

Set up/Clean up: We share the responsibility of set up and clean up by rotating through our families each week. We do offer a 'hire to clean' program where you can pay a co-op teen or willing adult to clean for your family at a cost of $20. 

Chapel: This is the central part of our co-op, the focus on the person and work of Christ. This is also the place where you will hear about important announcements and co-op happenings. Chapel is family focused. This means it is meant to not only be meaningful but really enjoyable!

The co-op board is made up of spiritually committed parents (or guardians) and may include representatives from the church. These individuals help keep the co-op running smoothly, manage classes, schedules, and programs, and help to maintain a Christ centered focus. The board commits to meeting generally once a month and for prayer/ connection 15 minutes before each co-op day. Meetings are open to any co-op member who wishes to attend. 

Click here for a list of co-op roles

As we put together our inaugural 2025-2026 school year, we are praying that God calls and equips His team for leadership. We ask that you pray about YOUR role in co-op. If you feel called to lead or assist, please contact us.

We are so grateful to New Life Kittitas (NLK) for generously electing to host our co-op. They are so supportive!!! NLK recognizes the diversity of Christian denominations comprising ECHC and only asks that all that we do reflect basic Christian doctrine in alignment with the Apostles Creed. Additionally, we, the families of ECHC, should seek to be a blessing to the church by our conduct, appreciation, and respect for the building. 

We are a Christian co-op committed to the discipleship of our children in Biblical living. While all are welcomed, we ask that you understand and respect the core beliefs of our co-op and not seek to undermine them. Teachers and leaders are asked to sign and declare their agreement with this faith statement and classes taught at ECHC must not conflict.

Chapel is a central part of our co-op. We celebrate with music and a short teaching which reflect these ideals. Our focus is an outpouring of our commission to 

bring up our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) 

Before joining please read:

ECHC STATEMENT OF FAITH

For more information on our co-op

ECHC PARENT STUDENT HANDBOOK