Vermont Homeschool Groups, Co-ops, and Organizations

Vermont families who home educate often discover that isolation is a choice, not a given. The state has a surprisingly active network of co-ops, support groups, and advocacy organizations — you just need to know where to look.

VHEN: Vermont's Primary Advocacy Organization

The Vermont Home Education Network (VHEN) is the state's oldest and most recognized home study advocacy group. It's a volunteer-run nonprofit, which means it operates differently from a professional membership organization — you won't get legal representation or a hotline, but you will get:

• Guidance on Vermont's Notice of Intent process (16 V.S.A. § 166b)
• Information about the 2023 statutory updates that eliminated mandatory MCOS/EOYA submissions
• Connections to regional co-ops and local groups
• Advocacy at the state level if legislation affecting home study comes up

VHEN maintains an email list and a website with current legal summaries. For families who are new to Vermont home study, VHEN is the best free starting point for understanding what the law requires and connecting with experienced families.

HSLDA Vermont: Legal Defense Membership

HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) operates nationally and covers Vermont members. Membership runs approximately $150 per year and provides:

• Attorney access if you receive pushback from a superintendent or district
• Template letters for common situations (withdrawal, assessment disputes)
• Research on state law and legislative tracking

Vermont's home study statute is relatively parent-friendly after the 2023 updates, so most families never need legal representation. But if you anticipate a difficult withdrawal — particularly if your child has an IEP and the district resists — having HSLDA membership in place before you file your Notice of Intent is worth considering.

HSLDA and VHEN have different philosophies and organizational structures. VHEN is Vermont-specific and community-focused. HSLDA is a national legal organization. Many Vermont families use both.

For a step-by-step walkthrough of the Notice of Intent process and how to handle district friction, the Vermont Legal Withdrawal Blueprint covers the specific language and sequencing that protects you legally.

Regional Co-ops and Learning Groups

Vermont has a small population but tight geographic communities. Co-ops tend to form around:

Chittenden County / Burlington area: The largest population center has the most active informal networks. Facebook groups for Burlington and South Burlington families are usually the easiest starting point. Several co-ops in Chittenden County run weekly academic sessions for middle and high school subjects.

Rutland: Vermont's second-largest city has a smaller but consistent homeschool community. The Rutland area has historically had a few faith-based co-ops as well as secular groups.

Central Vermont / Montpelier-Barre area: Montpelier's relatively progressive culture has produced some well-organized secular learning pods and nature-based learning groups. Check VHEN's regional listings for current active contacts.

Upper Valley (Windsor County): The Vermont/New Hampshire border region around White River Junction and Woodstock has an active community drawing from both states.

Because co-ops form, dissolve, and reorganize frequently, searching Facebook for "[your town/county] homeschool" combined with VHEN's contact list gives you the most current picture. Vermont is small enough that many co-ops serve a 30-40 mile radius.

Field Trips and Group Activities

Vermont home educators have access to cultural and educational sites that offer educator rates or group programs. Many Vermont museums, nature centers, and historic sites have education coordinators who work with home study families.

Notable venues include ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington, the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier, Shelburne Museum, VINS Nature Center in Quechee, and Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock. Most require advance scheduling for group rates — a co-op organizer or a parent-organized group of 8-10 students typically qualifies.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department also runs education programs that work with home study groups, as does the Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation department for outdoor and nature education.

Vermont Homeschool Convention

Vermont does not currently have a large annual statewide homeschool convention comparable to those in larger states. What exists instead:

• VHEN periodic information sessions and meetups
• Regional co-op learning fairs (usually spring)
• HSLDA's Great Homeschool Conventions travel to nearby states (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania host events that some Vermont families attend)
• Online summits and webinars from national homeschool organizations that Vermont families join remotely

Given Vermont's small population (the state has roughly 10,000-12,000 home-educated students), the convention landscape is regional and informal. VHEN's email list is the best way to learn about upcoming events.

Sports and Extracurricular Access

Vermont home study students can participate in public school sports through local school districts under 16 V.S.A. § 563(24) and Act 119. Participation requires meeting the same academic and residency standards as enrolled students. The Vermont Principals' Association (VPA) governs interscholastic athletics, and local school districts have discretion in how they implement access.

For individual sports like skiing, running, and swimming, Vermont's club and recreational infrastructure is strong. Many co-ops also organize team sports, drama, and STEM clubs independently.

Getting Connected Without a Co-op

If you're in a rural area and there's no active co-op nearby, the practical starting points are:

1. VHEN's contact page — they often know of informal local networks not listed publicly
2. Facebook groups for your county or town
3. Vermont's library system — many librarians are aware of local home education families and can connect you

Vermont's geography means some families are genuinely isolated. A realistic expectation for very rural areas is connecting with 3-5 other families within a reasonable drive — enough for occasional co-op days and group field trips, not daily structured classes.

If you're still in the withdrawal planning stage, the Vermont Legal Withdrawal Blueprint walks through the Notice of Intent filing, the 10-business-day waiting period, and how to handle the transition so you start your home study on solid legal footing before you start connecting with community.

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