Getting involved in a local homeschool support group can make your homeschool journey a lot more fun! Here’s a list of local support groups with descriptions to help you find a group that meets your family’s needs.
Please contact Lubbock Homeschool News if you know of a support group that is not included here. If I’ve made an error in describing a group you represent, please let me know. These listings are in alphabetical order.
Descriptions include links to each group’s website, Yahoo Group, and email contact. Click on the pertinent link to be taken to that resource.
Please note: In these listings, inclusive means for the most part an organization is open to all homeschoolers. Exclusive means for the most part the group’s activities are for members only; usually such groups have a group constitution, statement of faith, or equivalent. Exclusive groups usually do not mix activities with other homeschool groups, even though members often belong to more than one group. (See my note at the bottom of this page for more information.)
Classical Conversations – Lubbock
Supports parents in implementing the Classical Christian Model in their homeschooling. We are a licensed Classical Conversations community whose mission is to “know God and to make Him known.” We meet once a week to tutor children from K4 through high school. Exclusive. Registration, fees, and tuition are due in the summer. Contact: CCLbk-owner@yahoogroups.com, 748-1335, or the national website ClassicalConversations.com.
FICHE
A Christ-centered network of families who have chosen to educate in the home environment. Our mission is to equip our children to function as Godly, mature, and productive citizens. FICHE has no membership fee. We coordinate several activities each month, including: Mom’s Night Out, Family Night and at least one Field Trip. FICHE is a group of very friendly families who enjoy fellowshipping and encouraging each other. Exclusive. Contact information: FICHEWT@yahoo.com, 766-6790. Visit us on Facebook: Search for FICHE.
GraceLubbock Homeschool Group
A support group geared to growing relationships between home school kids and moms. GraceLubbock offers three “lesson” meetings, one field trip and one moms’ night out per month. We also have holiday parties, a talent show and a Spring Field Day. Fees are by semester. Contact information: gracelubbock@yahoo.com and http://homeschool-life.com/tx/gracelubbock/. Exclusive.
HELPS
HELPS (Hands Extended Lending Parents Support) is a mentoring group, for new or nearly-new homeschooling families as well as families facing new challenges in their homeschool endeavors. Meets monthly on the 3rd Monday evening, August – June. Taught by veteran homeschool parents. $25 one-time materials fee for lifetime membership. Inclusive. Contact information: HomeschoolingHELPS@yahoo.com, 766-6790. Visit us on Facebook: Search for Homeschooling HELPS.
LAHE – Lubbock Area Homeschool Exchange
The Lubbock Area Homeschool Exchange Yahoo Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/L_A_H_E/) is a free classified ad service and all Lubbock-area homeschooling families are welcome to join us in free-cycling (giving away…free), trading or selling (at a bargain price) anything you wish but especially homeschool related items. No item is too large or small! Just keep it legal and family friendly!! Go to the LAHE Yahoo Group to sign up. Free service. Inclusive.
LAUGH – Lubbock Area Unschoolers Growing at Home
Lubbock Area Unschoolers Growing at Home, is a free homeschool support group serving the Lubbock and surrounding areas. There are currently over 80 families in our membership from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, religions and homeschool styles. We welcome all Lubbock-area homeschooling families to join us. Please go to the LAUGH Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/L_A_U_G_H/ to sign up. LAUGH offers field trips, play days, park days, and Moms’ Night Out. LAUGH activities are inclusive, and guests are welcome.
Lubbock Homeschool Christian Athletic Association
LHCAA is a Christian umbrella group for several area homeschool sports, including basketball, football, soccer, swimming, volleyball, and track. Check out www.lhcaa.com for more information.
Lubbock Homeschool News
The most important part of Lubbock Homeschool News is not this website – it’s the LHN Yahoo Group and Facebook page, where local homeschoolers share information about events, classes, teachers, and tutors, ask for recommendations from other homeschoolers in the West Texas area, and more. The LHN Yahoo Group also has a database of over 100 local classes, tutors, and sports. LHN is now on Facebook; go to facebook.com/Lubbock.Homeschool.News.
Messianic Homeschool Group of Lubbock
A Yahoo Group for Lubbock Messianic Christian homeschool families where members can plan celebrations for their children on each biblical holiday. Apply to join at the MHG Yahoo Group home page at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MHGofLubbock. Free to join. Exclusive.
SPCHEA – South Plains Christian Home Educators Association
The South Plains Christian Home Educators Association (SPCHEA) is a Christian homeschool organization. They offer field trips, Bible Studies, SAT standardized testing, some sports, such as tennis camps, and an online newsletter. SPCHEA’s website is www.spchea.com. $21 yearly dues. Most activities and the newsletter are exclusive; one field trip is allowed for non-members considering joining.
St. Peter’s
St. Peter’s is an association of Catholic families in the Lubbock area who educate their children at home and are dedicated to promoting the teachings of the Catholic Church. St. Peter’s mission is to provide Christian fellowship, encouragement and support both academically and spiritually for parents and their children engaged in Catholic home education. Monthly potluck with family activities. Contact information: stpetershomeschool@yahoogroups.com. Exclusive.
REGIONAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Heart of West Texas
HEART of West Texas is a centralized network of homeschool resources for West Texas. It is a support group for support groups not individuals. The stated purpose of HEART of West Texas is: 1. To provide leadership support for groups located in West Texas. Support is to include encouragement, sharing and training. 2. To be the central reference for those groups by posting groups’ descriptions and contact information via the HEART website at http://www.heartofwt.org, maintaining a calendar of upcoming and ongoing homeschool activities and opportunities, and by keeping a current listing of outside enrichment providers. 3. To provide regional organization of large scale venues that are non-biased and with an open atmosphere. Contact information: 766-6790 or homeschooling@heartofwt.org. Exclusive. HEART holds an annual curriculum sale on the first Saturday in June. Exhibitors are members or pay a minimal fee; attendance is free and open to all homeschoolers.
Home School Legal Defense Association
TAFFIE – Texas Advocates for Freedom in Education
Created in 1993, TAFFIE is the oldest Texas homeschool mailing list and is open to anyone interested in topics related to homeschooling in Texas. TAFFIE has both an announcement list for events and a general discussion list. The TAFFIE website at includes information on homeschooling in Texas, statewide events, and support group information, and many other homeschooling resources. Inclusive.
Texas Home Educators
The Texas Home Educators (TexHmEd) is a Yahoo Group and website that serve Home Educators of Texas in discussions of homeschool styles, philosophy, books, curriculum, events, and laws in a Christian atmosphere. Although discussions will sometimes stray from the direct purpose of home schooling, it usually does not stray from our children’s interests. TexHmEd has been serving the community since August 21, 1998. Inclusive.
Texas Home School Coalition
The Texas Home School Coalition is a state organization for home schooling dedicated to serving the homeschool community of Texas and promoting a greater knowledge, understanding and acceptance of home education in our state. Its Board of Directors and worldview is distinctively Christian, but it serves all Texas homeschoolers regardless of race, creed, or religion. THSC provides free legal aid for members with homeschool-related problems, writes letters to districts, school officials, etc., on members’ behalf, and battles for Texas homeschoolers’ rights in Texas government and politics. Visit the THSC website at www.thsc.org.
*Note:
When I have listed groups as exclusive and inclusive, it is from that group’s description or constitution. (I had no idea what “inclusive” and “exclusive” meant when I began homeschooling. I learned the hard way that support groups can be rather like different denominations of churches – that’s the closest analogy I can think of.)
I belong to several support groups, and “pick and choose” among activities. Like many homeschoolers, our family is so busy, we don’t have time for as outside activities as we’d like. It’s important to try different groups and see which one fits. Correspond with the other list members and compare notes.
Lubbock Homeschool News is an online network of homeschool families and an information resource, not a support group per se. For information on Lubbock Homeschool News and its role, click here.
Liz Bilbro
