Jun 15, 2018 3 min read

The Washington County Homeschool Co-op started with a group of about six moms whose kids were all going into ninth grade.

“Someone said, ‘I can’t teach English.’ So I said, ‘I’ll teach English if you teach science,'” recalled Robin McCloskey.

Now in its 19th year, the co-op held its first commencement ceremony June 4, with 11 of 13 graduating seniors participating.

“It’s been home to me,” said Micah McCloskey, son of Robin and Fred, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, where the co-op meets once a week. “We’re a big family. We all grew up together.”

Robin, who is retiring as the co-op’s director, and the rest of the leadership team decided to hold a commencement ceremony this year because there was such an interest.

In previous years, students would often attend a regional ceremony hosted by the Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Accreditation Agency. A few years ago, though, the state changed the laws to allow parents to issue their own diplomas.

The leadership team decided to bring the seniors together for one celebration, and allowed them to wear a cap and gown in the color of their own choosing.

Kory Kaye, owner of Chick-fil-A franchises, was the speaker, and Ben Polen, who was a part of the co-op’s first graduating class, was the master of ceremonies.

The co-op, based on Biblical principals, offers classes to students in preschool through high school, though students in the pre-K program must have an older sibling enrolled.

Every Friday, the group gathers at Calvary Baptist for classes, which run from 9:20 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. A parent or guardian must remain on campus during those hours.

Parents also teach the classes, or assist.

“Parents teach where they feel comfortable,” said Peggy Costello, who is taking over as director.

By having a variety of teachers, the co-op has been able to provide a variety of classes, including economics, government, literature and history.

Students also participate in field trips and host a variety of speakers. Fred McCloskey leads a co-op soccer team.

Robin said families who started in the co-op as students now have their own children enrolled.

Melody Gowman, for example started as a sixth-grader, and now, her children are enrolled. She said the experience is not only great for students, but for parents as well.

“It’s a lot of support for moms, and it broadens what you can offer the kids,” said Gowman, who is a part of the management team. “Everybody brings something to the table, and the kids benefit from that.”

There are about 36 families involved with the co-op, with almost 100 students.

Robin said fees are low and class sizes are small.

For more information, visit www.wchcoop.org or email washingtoncountyhomeschoolers@gmail.com.