29 Palms Christian Homeschool Co-Op

About Us

29 Palms Christian Homeschool Co-op (29 PCHC) is a missional, Christ-centered community that supports homeschooling families in Twentynine Palms and surrounding areas. We welcome homeschoolers who come from both secular and Christian backgrounds, but we emphasize that our co-op is firmly rooted in Christian teaching, values, and worldview.

Our weekly assemblies begin at 10:00 a.m. on most Fridays during the school year and include the Pledge of Allegiance, hymn singing, prayer, Scripture reading, and selected catechism from the New City Catechism. We aim to meet 3 Fridays a month and 1 Friday is a park day at a local park.

Families who would like to preview the catechism in advance can access the questions and responses on the Apple App Store or Google Play for free.

We aim to provide fellowship, support, and encouragement for homeschooling parents and their families. We charge a $50 registration fee per family and operate as an enrichment-based group. We do not follow a single homeschool philosophy or curriculum such as Charlotte Mason, classical, or traditional; instead, our families represent a wide range of homeschooling approaches and backgrounds. All of our classes are taught by parents within our co-op or members of Palms Church and surrounding churches who adhere to our statement of faith.

Following assembly, students and parents transition into smaller, age-based classrooms. We offer classes for children ages 4 through high school that are grouped as follows: Pre-K (4-5 yr olds)–Kindergarten, 1st–2nd, 3rd–5th, and 6th–12th. Co-op class time concludes at 12:00 p.m. Optional playground time is available for 30 minutes before and after co-op, offering extra time for families to connect and socialize. From time to time, we also host Friday field trips or park days, which are clearly communicated to all registered families via email and in our Co-op-Wide Church Center group chat.

Lessons are intentionally cross-curricular. This means we connect multiple subjects in meaningful, hands-on ways! One week, this might look like cooking a recipe from scratch while practicing math skills; another week, it may include a science experiment paired with outdoor relay games. Arts and crafts and illustrated picture books are often woven into our time together as well. We want each Friday your student joins us to feel intentional and purposeful.

We average between 10 and 12 students per class. We also provide a nursery for babies and toddlers up to 3 years old.

All parents must complete a background check upon registration. This step helps us maintain a safe and caring environment for every child. And while all classes are taught by parent volunteers who affirm our statement of faith, every parent—whether or not they affirm the statement of faith—serves in supportive roles within the co-op. These may include set-up, clean-up, playground supervision, party planning, craft preparation, and similar tasks. These vital contributions help our co-op run smoothly and allow us to provide the best possible experience for our students.

Parents who have signed our Statement of Faith are asked to teach or serve approximately 3–4 class lessons each semester in their child's classroom(s). If you have multiple children, we'll place you where the need is greatest. Included in this shared commitment, each family will serve in the nursery at least once per semester. This is a responsibility that all co-op families share, and it helps ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate in classes while their youngest children are well cared for.

For parents who have not signed the Statement of Faith, we invite you to serve our co-op in other meaningful ways. This may include helping in the nursery for a similar number of times each semester or assisting with special events such as Living History Day, our Valentine's celebrations, Book Fair, etc.

This approach to our co-op is to ensure that teaching responsibilities never fall on one singular individual week after week. We do provide guidance on lessons in terms of pre-selected themes and book recommendations to accompany those themes. However, if you have a topic you are passionate about teaching, we welcome that! We plan to have several folders prepared in advance for first-time parent teachers, complete with worksheets, books that can be read in class, and even recommended videos to incorporate in class. Our plan is to have our returning parents teach the first few weeks, and then we will pass on the baton to our new families. You will be supported in the classroom by other parents who will be present.

This past year, we’ve enjoyed welcoming special guests into our assembly time whenever possible. From a bluegrass musician who performed for the whole group, classical musicians who gave an instrument presentation, a tow truck driver who talked to us about his job and allowed us to hop in the cab of his truck in the church parking lot …these special guests enrich our co-op days. We’re grateful for the generosity of Palms Church members, surrounding churches, and the family connections within our co-op that make these opportunities possible.

When registering, please sign up every adult, child, and infant who will be attending the co-op. Further information on our beliefs, policies, and procedures can be found in our handbook.

If you have questions, please take a minute to view our FAQs. If you have further questions, please reach out to 29PCHC@gmail.com.