-We are a member-driven, board-accountable organization. The Board of Directors will oversee and work closely with the leadership team and members.

-We believe members should have input on leadership, significant proposed changes, and other core items.

-We are member-led, and all who participate are asked to help share the load. We offer three class periods each co-op day and ask that each parent help teach during two of these three periods. Their third period is then free unless they are on the rotating sub-list that week.

-We will send out frequent surveys with proposed ideas and host regular member meetings to ensure your voice is heard.

-Not a church. We are a multi-denominational organization. We recognize the role of parents in teaching their specific beliefs to their children.

-Not a school. While lots of fun and learning will occur, we are not meant to replace, instead, to enhance your regular homeschool program.

-Classes offered are based on minimum skills, with a recommended age/grade. The first two weeks will act as a trial to make sure it is a great fit for your student. We want to provide flexibility in choosing classes that are best suited for each student

-Membership fees are determined per session (3 terms), covers the whole family and is due 2 weeks before the session starts in the Fall.  Some individual classes may have an extra fee to help pay for supplies and materials. We try to offer a non-fee class during each period as well.

-We ask every family to abide by our core values and statement of faith. It is not required that you believe them personally. All are welcome to be members.

-We believe in good stewardship. Children will be required (based on ability) to help take care of the facility. We encourage Teen leadership to help oversee many of those duties and teach in classes when they qualify as ready. This is their co-op, and we want them to take ownership as they learn to be the leaders we are training them to be.

-To ensure every child’s needs can be met, and for the fluid running of daily operations, we ask that each mom be a teacher or a helper during 2 class periods. Please let us know if you are unable to meet this requirement. We want to assist you as best we can.

Classes run 9:30 am-12:30 pm with lunch and Fellowship 12:45-1:15 pm

-Forging Paths Co-op strives to offer classes for everyone! We are excited to offer a wide range of teaching methods and unique courses that will help meet the needs of our homeschool community.

Options may include:
Academic classes - Anatomy and Physiology, Literature, History, Debate, Dictionary Race, Spelling Bee, etc.
Enrichment classes - Baking, Sewing, Robotics, Art, Building Blocks, LEGO, Yearbook, Worship, Drama/Skits, Book Club, Worship Team

-Our classes are geared toward age/grade ranges but are not firm. We recognize parents know their students' skill levels and can assess what is the best fit. Please read class descriptions to assess what will be expected and what is the best fit for your student. We desire to help your students learn, grow, and foster friendships with their peers. There are a few classes that have a firm age restriction based on teacher requests.

Extra-Curricular Activities

We provide many enrichment opportunities beyond the Co-op classroom. Some of these activities may include field trips, service projects, Junior High and High School get-togethers, park days for elementary students, missionary sponsorship, Mom’s Night Out, Presentation Nights, Art Night, fundraisers, worship band, yearbook, and more. Extra-curricular events sponsored by Forging Paths are subject to the policies and approval of Co-op.

Our Christmas Program

From the very beginning, a Christmas program has been part of the vision for our homeschool co-op. It is more than simply an end-of-term performance—it is an opportunity for our co-op community to come together and celebrate what matters most to us: the birth of Jesus Christ.

Because we are a homeschool community, we have the unique opportunity to openly and joyfully celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Our Christmas program gives our students a special opportunity to share the story of Christ's birth with their families, friends, and fellow co-op members.

Celebrating Christ

At the heart of our Christmas program is the celebration of Jesus' birth. We want our students to understand that Christmas is not simply about decorations, presents, or traditions. It is an opportunity to remember and proclaim the good news of the Savior who came into the world.

We are thankful for the freedom to celebrate Christ openly, and we want to intentionally preserve that part of our co-op's identity.

Giving Homeschool Students an Opportunity to Perform

One of the purposes of our Christmas program is to give homeschool students an opportunity that they may not otherwise have: to be part of a group production and perform for an audience.

A production teaches students much more than memorizing lines. They learn to:

- Work together toward a common goal

- Listen and follow direction

- Practice responsibility and preparation

- Speak and perform in front of others

- Encourage and support their peers

- Work through nervousness and build confidence

- Contribute their individual gifts to something larger than themselves

- Experience the satisfaction of completing something together

Not every student enjoys being on stage, and that is okay. A production requires many different kinds of participation. Students may act, sing, narrate, help with props, costumes, scenery, sound, organization, or other behind-the-scenes responsibilities. There is a place for many different strengths, personalities, and abilities.

Our goal is not to create professional performers. Our goal is to give our children the opportunity to participate, grow, serve, and experience something together.

Celebrating What Our Students Have Accomplished

The Christmas program also provides a wonderful opportunity for our families and friends to see what our students have been learning and creating throughout the fall term.

Following the program, we open our project displays so guests can walk through the gym, see the students' work, and celebrate their accomplishments. Families and friends are invited to enjoy refreshments and fellowship while experiencing a glimpse of what happens during our seven weeks of co-op classes.

Each year, approximately 90–100 family members and friends have attended this event. It has become a special opportunity for our larger community to come together and celebrate our students.

A Celebration of Our Co-op Community

Our Christmas program is also about community.

Our children spend seven weeks learning alongside one another, and the Christmas program gives them an opportunity to come together for a shared purpose. Parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family, and friends can gather to encourage the students and celebrate their work.

It is a time to pause from the busyness of the school year and recognize what God has allowed us to accomplish together.

Why We Continue This Tradition

The Christmas program is an intentional part of our co-op's vision and will continue to be an important part of our fall term. We recognize that students have different interests and comfort levels, and we want to provide opportunities for everyone to participate in ways that are meaningful and appropriate for them.

At the same time, participation in co-op events is part of being part of a community. Not every activity will be every student's favorite, but learning to participate, contribute, encourage others, and be part of something bigger than ourselves is an important part of the experience we want our co-op to provide.

Our Christmas program is a celebration of Christ, an opportunity for our students to grow, a showcase of their hard work, and a time for our families and community to come together.

We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Christmas openly, to give our children a place to share their gifts, and to rejoice together in the birth of Jesus Christ.

2026 - 2027 Board

Pamela Bartoschek

Cyndi Newman

Tabitha McFarland

Charlene Lynch