For homeschool parents, education isn’t just about academics—it’s a holistic process that includes academics, personal development, social networking, and, for many Christian families, spiritual development. Transitioning to an early college high school model doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel. With the TEL Education platform in partnership with Mid-America Christian University (MACU) & Briar Cliff University (BCU), you can streamline the academics while continuing the other three components just as you’ve always done in your homeschool co-op.
1. Academics Made Easy with TEL Education
The academic side of early college high school is where TEL Education shines. Courses are self-paced, asynchronous, and designed for independent learners, making them a perfect fit for homeschool students. Partnering with MACU & BCU, TEL offers a wide range of general education courses—fully transferable college credits in subjects like English, math, history, and science.
For co-op leaders, this means you don’t need to be a subject matter expert. At most, your co-op might provide a few hours each week for a monitored study hall, where students can work on their TEL courses in a supportive, distraction-free environment. A learning coach can guide students with time management, study habits, and accountability but doesn’t need deep knowledge of the subjects.
2. Personal Development, Social Networking, and Spiritual Growth—Just Like Normal
Except for academics, running an early college high co-op with TEL Education is no different from your usual homeschool approach. Here’s how you can maintain the other important components:
- Personal Development:
Your students’ growth doesn’t stop at coursework. Beyond TEL’s coursework, your co-op can continue to focus on developing life skills, leadership, and responsibility. This might include workshops, community service projects, or opportunities for students to explore new interests or talents. - Social Networking:
Social connections remain a cornerstone of your co-op. Organize field trips, game nights, group projects, or extracurriculars like sports or drama. These activities build friendships and foster teamwork, just as they always have in your homeschool community. - Spiritual Development (for Christian Co-ops):
For Christian homeschoolers, spiritual growth remains a top priority. While TEL, MACU, & BCU focus on academics, they also offer students the option to take up to three college-level courses in Christianity. These courses can complement your co-op’s Bible studies, prayer groups, or worship activities.
The TEL Advantage
By incorporating TEL Education into your homeschool co-op, you ensure that students receive a rigorous, affordable, and college-credit-earning education while still retaining the essence of what makes homeschooling so impactful. The co-op can remain the supportive, faith-driven, and community-focused environment your families know and love, with TEL handling the academic heavy lifting.
With TEL, early college high school doesn’t mean losing the heart of homeschooling—it means enhancing it with academics that set students up for future success.
