



South Branch Cooperative
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South Branch Cooperative
- Join
- …
- Join

What We Do
SBC meets year round with a variety of offerings. Locations, times, and days of the week are subject to change as the seasons change. South Branch Cooperative meets year-round for enrichment adventures, community-building, family support, special events, and more.
Classes
Thursdays, in fall, winter, and spring, there are curriculum days (classes) for age 6-12, starting at 10am. Classes are connected across curriculum areas by a common theme, increasing knowledge retention. Curriculum day is open to sapling siblings (age 4-5, in their own program), maples (age 6-8) and oaks (age 9-12). This program's cost is divided into 12 monthly payments for ease of budgeting.
Independent Study
An independent study option is available for sycamores (age 13-15) and sequoias (age 15-18), including weekly check-ins with an academic advisor, in fall, winter, and spring. The advising involves heavy parent involvement from younger ages or from first enrollment, and weans the student off over time and as maturing occurs. The students track high-school credits and form a record/portfolio through this program. This program's cost is divided into 12 monthly payments for ease of budgeting. Tutoring is available for these students, at an extra cost.
Clubs
Clubs are available on Curriculum Day after classes, in fall, winter, and spring. All clubs have an adult as an advisor, who ensures safety measures are being followed, and who prepares and brings any necessary supplies. Clubs we currently offer include: theater, in-depth art, science extensions, book, and more. There are additional un-filled club slots available as student interests and advisor availability allows. The cost varies based on the needs of the club and is divided into 12 monthly payments for ease of budgeting.
Branching Out
On Tuesdays, in fall, winter, and spring, SBC meets at various nature-centered locations at 10am. We root outselves in the wild, explore what the world has to offer, and enhance our primitive skills, learning bushcraft, safety, survival skills, and more, all while building relationships, discovering new things, and pushing our own boundaries.
Saplings
SBC has a program for children aged 4-5 years, in fall, winter, and spring, where these children can build relationships and follow their drive to play, move their bodies, and more during class times. Saplings and younger siblings must be accompanied by the caregiver at all times.
Tweens / Teens
SBC has a program for young adults aged 10-18 years, where these pre-teens and adolescents can build relationships and follow their drive to organize their schedules, socialize, and more. They can direct and organize outings and events, clubs, assistant teach, etc. This program is divided into sycamores (age 12-14) and sequoias (age 15-18).
Mixed-Age Groupings
All age groups, flexibly divided into sprouts, saplings, maples, oaks, sycamores, and sequoias, are of mixed ages, in keeping with Montessori educational philosophy. This allows for differentiation of material during class times, while still allowing all members to interact with one another during other times. This format allows members to meet for age-appropriate activities or interact with members of all other ages.
Enrichment Adventures
Enrichment Adventures includes Field Trips, On Site Event Programming, Special Events, and more. These events are directly connected to curriculum day and independent study learning (cultural or otherwise) or to the curriculum in some way.
Community-Building
This includes social get-togethers of all types. These events may be scheduled for any day of the week, and occur year-round. At least one is typically scheduled each week. Many of our clubs, as mentioned above, exist to build community within our member families.
Cooperative
All families with enrolled students are part of our volunteer rotation, making our program a true cooperative. Adults will have assigned shifts as class assistants, photographer, and other roles as needed and appropriate. Drop-offs are not available for this reason.
Supportive
Homeschooling is a journey, and we are on it together, as a community. We band together to support each other, communally support each other as we navigate the growth and development of our children, and more. We parent as a community, step in to help each other, and reject drama, cliques, and exclusion of any kind. SBC is a true, tight-knit community environment.
All-Inclusive App
In the BAND app, our members can connect, share ideas, upload pictures from co-op events, access shared documents, view the shared calendar, and more.
Additionally, our website has digital resources for all base members on a members-only page, in addition to a curriculum day members-only page, with resources, extensions, and more.
Levels
SBC offers a variety of levels to accommodate a variety of ages and academic abilities, to promote cooperative learning and interpersonal relationships in age-appropriate groups. The ages and grade levels are suggestions, and can be adjusted above or below by a year to accommodate neurodiversity and other differences.
Saplings
Age 4-6
(Pre-K/K)
All programming available, for those with enrolled older siblings only.
Maples
Age 6-8
(Grade 1-3)
All programming available.
Oaks
Age 9-12
(Grade 4-6)
All programming available.
Sycamores
Age 13-15
(Grade 6-8)
All programming available.
Sequoias
Age 15-18
(Grade 9-12)
All programming available.
South Branch Cooperative: A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation
A secular, inclusive, four-season homeschool co-op offering outings, support, clubs, classes and more.
The IRS has determined that South Branch Cooperative is a 501(a)(2) public charity and is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers, or gifts under Section 2055, 2016, or 2522.
