Co-op or microschool: what's the difference?

Both offer community, but they work differently. Co-ops are usually organized by families. Parents often teach or help, costs are typically lower, and meetings may be weekly. Microschools are usually run by an educator or organization. A teacher or guide leads a small group, often several days a week, and tuition is common. Compare: - Parent involvement: high in most co-ops; lower in most microschools. - Days per week: often one day for co-ops; two to five for microschools. - Cost: varies widely — ask each program. - Structure: co-ops vary by family vote; microschools follow the leader's approach. Every program is different, so use these as starting points and ask each one directly.