What is STSG Secondary Cooperative?
Stone Table Secondary Co-op is entirely parent-led and operated! Each family must have at least one parent or guardian on campus contributing each day. This involvement is essential to ensuring the co-op runs smoothly. We meet together and work cooperatively to serve the needs of our families.
The Secondary co-op meets weekly on Mondays from August to May. We offer a variety of core and elective class options for students 7th-12th grade. After a student attends a weekly class, they follow up at home under the oversight of their homeschool parent. For class communication, assignment posting, and gradebook, we use Google Classroom.
Grades and Assessment: Many of the Secondary teachers record grades in their Google Classroom gradebook. If a teacher keeps grades, the student may check them at any time by clicking on View Your Work on the classroom page. Point grades are given at the discretion of the teacher; each teacher uses his or her own grade scale and method. Although grades do not provide a formal assessment of progress, they can help give homeschool parents an overall summary of a student's progress in a class and a record of work being turned in.
The homeschool parent is responsible for determining what to do with the grade for a class. We are to follow the Missouri Homeschool Law. Many parents like to use the Missouri Department of Secondary Education requirements for graduation. While the MO DESE requirements are indeed helpful to keep parents and students accountable and on track, Missouri homeschoolers are not bound to these requirements. Parents should understand the Missouri Homeschool laws when mapping out their student's high school course pathway. The homeschool parent must ultimately decide how to record hours and progress for courses taken through Stone Table Study Group.
Class Placement and Schedule: Our classes usually contain a mix of grade levels since homeschoolers can be unique in their grade placement. We generally label classes with a target grade range based on the majority. Please choose classes carefully by researching curriculum and taking into account what is best for your student. If necessary, reach out to the teacher for more information.
Because our classes change from year to year depending on teacher availability and their specialty, our schedule may not guarantee the the perfect arrangement for all students. We try to offer all core subjects and create a logical flow for the majority, but we cannot guarantee our class schedule will meet the needs of each student for every subject. Please keep in mind, we are a resource to supplement your homeschool rather than a full day program. While some students do enroll for a full day, the majority of Secondary students mix STSG with other classes at home, online, in other co-ops, and through MCC or vocational programs.
Socialization: Our classes are a joyful hubbub of activity and interaction as students engage in learning. Through group activities, lunch breaks, and field trips, many lasting friendships have grown out of our community. However, our primary reason to gather is academic.
Enrollment in a Secondary class will require a commitment outside of class for homework. Do not enroll unless you and your student are willing to keep this commitment. Some families choose to utilize Secondary classes for core subjects while others do core work at home and rely on STSG for electives.
We encourage Secondary students to engage in activities outside of STSG throughout the week such as church fellowship, ministry, sports, robotics, music, dance, part-time jobs, other local classes, online classes, and time with family and friends.