About Us

Why We Exist 

The Brazos Valley Co-op exists to provide quality classes for home schooled students that will enrich their overall educational experience.  Our co-op is not designed to take the place of parents educating their children at home but to provide valuable opportunities to home schooled students.  We are a co-op, not a school nor a business.  Parents are ultimately responsible for their children’s education.  Our Co-op depends on the co-operation and participation of parents, students, and teachers. 

Parent/Teacher Relationship 

Each teacher strives to offer beneficial and superior classes.  Our teachers have a degree and/or experience in their field of study.  You, the parent, are hiring the teacher as an individual.  The co-op committee merely facilitates and organizes the class schedule.  Teachers are independent and completely responsible for their course content.  Some teachers may issue grades for their students, but parents are still responsible to keep all records.  Parents must decide if the work in a class is sufficient to meet their requirements as well as the state’s standards to classify as a credit. Since we are not a school, we will not provide a transcript.   

Parents have the primary responsibility to communicate directly with teachers about any concerns.  Likewise, the teachers will notify the parents directly with problems or student’s needs.  Effective communication between parents and teachers is the key to a successful year.   

Parent Involvement   

Brazos Valley Co-op will be successful only if everyone (parents, teachers, students and co-op committee members) does their part. Parents are, of course, responsible for getting students to co-op on time, making sure any homework is complete and paying the teachers promptly.  We are fortunate that our co-op does not require extensive time involvement by all parents BUT we do require that every family sign up for six hours of duty during the school year.  Just because the time commitment is minimal does not mean that it is not important.  We cannot have co-op unless everyone helps.   

Parents are completely responsible for their child/children even while they are at co-op. This being said, we have instituted rules and guidelines which are to be enforced by teachers and parents.

How We Started

The Brazos Valley Co-op began in 1994 when several moms wanted to find a way to enhance their home education programs.  Our co-op has always been God-directed and has grown and changed over the years as He has led.  Because of the growth in numbers of families involved, we were lead in 2006 to seek a place where we could expand the number and variety of classes we can offer.  We are privileged to be able to use the facilities at Fellowship Bible Church. 

Co-op Cell Phone 

We have a cell phone for emergency use only that will be kept in the green notebook in the foyer.  Please keep the phone with you if you are on hall monitor duty.  The phone number, should you need to reach your child, is 254-495-6275.  This number is only operational on Fridays during co-op hours. Please DO NOT call the Fellowship church office for co-op issues. 

The Co-op Committee 

A volunteer committee of home schooling parents organizes the Brazos Valley Co-op. The co-op leadership committee evaluates the policies and classes annually.  The committee is always available for suggestions.  Decisions made are based on what the committee feels will benefit the co-op as a whole.   

What the co-op committee does:

• Organize and publicize classes

• Maintain web site

• Keep parents informed about classroom changes, holidays, etc.

• Maintain database

• Facilitate the relationship with Fellowship Bible Church

What we don’t do:

• Act as principal

• Administer parent/teacher relationship

• Act as the clean up crew

It is very important that we demonstrate a good example of home schooling and protect the facility we have so graciously been allowed to use. Observance of the following guidelines will ensure that Co-op’s objectives will be met. They can be summed up in this way:  Show thoughtfulness and respect toward the teachers, parents, other students, and our host church facility and staff.   At all times our actions and attitudes should honor our Lord Jesus Christ. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus...” Col. 3:17.

We wish to thank the staff and congregation of Fellowship Bible Church in Waco for graciously opening their building to our Co-op for the school year.  We ask for the prayers and co-operation of each student, parent, and teacher to make the co-op a safe and God-honoring place. May the Lord bless each of you.

Brazos Valley Co-op Statement of Faith (Adopted 4/08) 

• We believe the Holy Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of man, and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. 

• We believe in one infinite, true God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

• We believe Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Having lived without sin, He truly died and was resurrected in His own body for our atonement and resurrection. 

• We believe that only through His death by the shedding of His blood and His resurrection are we provided justification and salvation. 

• We believe in the bodily resurrection of all mankind; for the believer to an everlasting dwelling with God, for the unbeliever to an everlasting, conscious hell without God. 

• We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to convict men of sin, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service. 

• We believe in the imminent, bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Note:  All teachers are required to sign this statement indicating their agreement with it.  Although co-op families are not required to sign the statement, we want all families to know that this is an important aspect of Brazos Valley Co-op.