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.
Please note: In these listings, inclusive means that for the most part an organization is open to all homeschoolers, regardless of religion. Exclusive means members must agree to and sign statement of faith or equivalent. I base this label on info from the group leader or the group’s constitution.
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. Registration, fees, and tuition are due in the summer. Contact: dgring@classicalconversations.com, 748-1335, or the national website ClassicalConversations.com. Exclusive.
FICHE
FICHE ( Families Investing in Christian Home Education ), is 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. Contact information: FICHEWT@yahoo.com, 766-6790. Visit us on Facebook: Search for FICHE. Exclusive.
GraceLubbock Homeschool Group
A support group geared to growing relationships between home school kids and moms. GraceLubbock offers classes on the first 3 Fridays of the month, from 9:30-Noon. The 4th Friday is reserved for field trips and parties. There are many social activities to participate in including: MNO, Fall family fun night, back to school party, talent show, end of year testing, field day and various service projects and parties. Registration is offered in the fall and spring semesters. Class subjects change every semester. Fees are $65 per semester, per family, not student. Contact information: gracelubbock@yahoo.com and www.gracelubbock.org. Inclusive.
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, or needing encouragement 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. Contact information: HomeschoolingHELPS@yahoo.com, 766-6790. Visit us on Facebook: Search for Homeschooling HELPS. Inclusive.
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.
Lubbock Homeschool Christian Athletic Association
LHCAA is a Christian umbrella group for several area homeschool sports, including basketball, football, softball, soccer, swimming, and volleyball. Check out www.lhcaa.com for more information.
Lubbock Homeschool News (LHN)
LHN is an online network of local homeschool families. The most important part of Lubbock Homeschool News is not this website – it’s the interactive components: the LHN Yahoo Group and Facebook page, where local homeschoolers share information about events, classes, teachers, and tutors, ask for recommendations from other homeschoolers, organize field trips, and more. The LHN Yahoo Group also has a database of over 100 local classes, tutors, and sports. For information on Lubbock Homeschool News and its role, click here. Inclusive.
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, a graduation ceremony, and tennis teams and camps. $21 yearly dues. Most activities are exclusive; one field trip is allowed for non-members considering joining. Contact Jon and Kim Bruegel at jonkimb@gmail.com or Dan Lassiter at spcheatennis@juno.com. Exclusive.
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:Walter & Sally Galaviz, salg78@yahoo.com, 559-7967. Exclusive.
REGIONAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Heart of West Texas
HEART ( Home Education and Resource Team ) 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 a central reference for those groups by posting groups’ descriptions and contact information via the HEART website at http://www.heartofwt.org, 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 HEARTofWT@yahoo.com. 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. Exclusive
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. 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.
(Liz’s note: Join THSC if you possibly can! Besides fighting for homeschoolers on the legislative level and offering conventions, free advice, and legal aid to homeschoolers, THSC offers other member benefits that include discounts on various curriculum and products and a THSC ID you can use to get discounts with organizations/stores that require proof of homeschooling.)