Frequently Asked Questions
No, contrary to our name, we welcome families from all counties in the state of Maryland. We have a 2nd campus in Frederick County where we run our Black Belt English and Master Chess programs.
Yes, in conjunction with open houses, we offer in-person school tours. Click here to book your school tour.
Co-op students attend group classes up to 2X a week for socialization and group study. Students are assigned coursework for the days they are not at co-op.
Our supplemental courses cover Science, Math Art, Music, PE, Foreign Language, and Language Arts.
We schedule regular field trips throughout the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area. We balance the co-op experience with a Charlotte Mason approach. Click here to view our social calendar on Meetup.
Dress code is not in full effect. Students are strongly encouraged to wear FTO on field trips.
Teach N' Go is the platform we use to connect students, teachers, and parents.
Parents are expected to join a parent-led committee and volunteer on campus twice a semester. Parents may opt-out of parent volunteer hours. Click here to opt-out each semester.
Trinity United Methodist Church (Frederick, MD) | Christ Episcopal Church (Columbia, MD)
We typically follow the HCPSS calendar for holiday closings, but notify parents of closures based on inclement weather by 7AM via emergency notifications posted to our Facebook, Meetup and Twitter platforms. SEE: HCPSS Calendar
Yes! Our teachers are certified instructors/tutors and have been vetted. Some courses are taught by parent-teachers who are professionals with in-depth knowledge of their subject matter.
Click here to register by Dec. 31st.
We accept students ages 5 to 16 years old.
Yes, HCHC's Leadership Academy is registered with the MSDE to supervise home instruction. We're an approved Maryland Umbrella Group that provides virtual and annual reviews throughout the state of Maryland.
Partial refunds of tuition are given up until the 3rd week of classes. View the School Handbook (page 15) to learn more.
Parents are permitted to stay on campus if they are volunteering. Otherwise, we request you remain in the lobby and NOT in the class area during co-op hours. Parents may sit in the parking lot and/or enjoy the playground. If you're unable to stay on campus, you may simply drop-off.
Weather permitting, students can elect to eat their lunch outdoors during the lunch/recess hour.
Click here to view the company we use to prepare students for standardized testing. Click here to view the testing schedule for the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS).
Yes, we're both a cooperative and a tutorial. HCHC supplements what's taught in the home by providing enrichment classes taught in a nature-based setting. Students benefit from structure, off-set by child-led play.
As a traditional co-op, we require parents volunteer a minimum of 2X each semester. We're able to keep tuition affordable by augmenting our hired staff with active participation from parents. If you're unable to volunteer your time, you may pay a $97 opt-out fee.
HCHC respects your privacy. We do not ask for, nor do we require medical history or immunization/vaccine records.
We are currently not accepting any new families.
No, we do not require that families sign a Statement of Faith.
An Umbrella Group is an organization recognized by the State of Maryland that provides oversight for home education. Completing portfolio reviews conducted by an Umbrella Group satisfies the Maryland State requirement for regular, and thorough instruction, as stated in COMAR 13.10.01. Read more...
Yes, you can. Click here to purchase a drop-in punch card and pay per class.
We have open enrollment, with pro-rated tuition available up until December 31st.
Frederick Campus: Wednesdays 10:00 - 2:00pm
Columbia Campus: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10-2PM
DROP: 9:45am, PU: No later than 2:15pm.
Yes. Homework and project-based assignments are issued via Teach N' Go at the direction of teachers.
30% Sibling Discount (up to 2 siblings)
15% Military Rebate (veterans & active duty)
10% Loyalty Discount (returning families)
Yes, we have a playground at all of our campuses.