🦅 Raising Arrows Homeschool Fellowship (Maryville/Seymour)
- Weekly co-op structure
- Chapel, 2 classes, lunch, 2 more classes
- Full day commitment (not half-days)
- Parent participation required
- Fall term: Sept 9 - Dec 16
- Spring term: Jan - Mar
- Mom's nights out and teen events
A structured, full-day co-op for families with school-age children
Raising Arrows Homeschool Fellowship is a Christian co-op that serves the Maryville/Seymour area with a pretty intensive but rewarding program. They're primarily focused on families who are already in the "homeschool years" - you need to have at least one child in 1st grade or higher to join.
Here's how their day works: you're there Monday mornings from 9:30am to 2:30pm, which includes chapel, two class periods, lunch, then two more class periods. It's a full day commitment, and they don't do partial days - everyone's in it together for the whole thing.
The age groups they serve are: - Nursery & Toddlers - Preschool (3-5) - Lower Elementary (K-2) - Upper Elementary (3-5) - Junior High (6-8) - High School (9-12)
They run two semesters per year (fall and spring), with specific dates given to families who join. The fall semester typically runs the week of September 9th through December 16th (with some weeks off), and spring semester runs through March.
The commitment: One parent from each family serves 3 out of 4 hours each co-op day. This can be teaching or co-teaching a class, being an assistant in a class for an hour, or "floating" - helping wherever the moms need extra hands. You get one hour that's your "fellowship hour" where you can visit with other parents or just have some time to yourself (though you have to stay on campus).
The costs: There's a $30 registration fee that's one-time and non-refundable if you decide not to join. The semester tuition is $60/family, which covers facility rental, custodian costs, supplies, and liability insurance. Individual class fees range from free to $30 per class per semester, and you pay those directly to the teachers.
Why I'm including this: I've heard from several moms that Raising Arrows has that really strong community feel. The structured approach means you get a lot out of it - your kids get academic classes, you meet other homeschooling families, and you have the support system that makes homeschooling sustainable.
The fit: This works well if you're looking for a robust, structured program and you're okay with the commitment. It's not for families who want a drop-off situation or a light-touch co-op. But if you're in it for the full experience - both for your kids' education and for the community - this delivers.
Note: They also have a Lenoir City location with slightly different fees ($25 semester there). Contact them directly for the most current information.