The end of August brings brisk mornings, earlier sunsets, gardens to harvest and the usual transition from summertime activities back into school mode. Next week, yellow buses will be running routes and picking up children with new backpacks and fresh sneakers.

But for a growing number of families in the state and nationwide, back-to-school time means back to the dinner table and weekly co-op gatherings. 

The Treasure State ranks third highest in the nation for homeschooling, with around 9% of the state's K-12 students learning at home. According to the Montana Office of Public Instruction, 8,524 registered homeschool students were enrolled statewide for the 2023–2024 school year, marking a 9.3% increase from the prior year. Nationally, Montana ranks third in the U.S. for home education participation rates, just behind Alaska and Tennessee.

This fall, Mineral County will have a new homeschool co-op for families to use as a learning resource. Mountain View Homeschool Co-op is a Christian community where homeschooling families in Superior and the surrounding areas can come together for educational enrichment, meaningful relationships, mutual support and fellowship.

The co-op will meet on Thursdays, starting Sept. 10, from noon to 3 p.m. and will be held at Clark Fork Fellowship in Superior.

Alita Smalley, mom of eight and fellow homeschooling parent, will be the organizer and facilitator for the group. She praised, “We have such a great group of parents that are working together to make something amazing for their kiddos. 

"The plan is to start out with Science and History. Smalley added, “As we progress, we will add classes as we see fit. Also, depending on the parents and what their desires are.” 

Alita and her husband, Shawn, have been homeschooling for eight years. She said, “Because of the age gap, all of my big girls were out of school before I really started homeschooling my younger kiddos.”

Shawn Smalley shared their motivation for homeschooling as a family. 

He expressed, “We wanted to be able to spend more one-on-one time teaching our kids while instilling the values and morals that we attempt to live our lives by.

“I think the rise in homeschooling follows this line of thinking.”  

Isaiah and Rebekah McGuffey have spent the past several years commuting to Sanders County as a family for a homeschool co-op they participated in over in Plains. This fall they will trade their drive up Montana 135 for teaching roles at the new co-op in Superior. 

Rebekah McGuffey exclaimed, “I’m really excited for the start of Mountain View Homeschool Co-op for the support and encouragement it will bring to those new to homeschooling. A lot of new homeschooling parents can look at it as a big, intimidating, overwhelming task, and we have several veteran homeschooling parents with different teaching styles that can help them. I was homeschooled, and I didn’t think I could do it myself - I knew it was work!”

For the McGuffey’s, their homeschooling journey began when they became parents. 

McGuffey stated, “We had our first baby 13 years ago, and I consider the start of homeschooling to be the moment I looked at my newborn and said, “Hi Piper, I am your Mama, I love you.”

Their oldest daughter learned to read at just 3 years old, simply through observation. 

McGuffey recalled, “I could read her book after book, and she sat still for it. Teaching her was so “easy,” and then their son Boaz came. I thought - this, this is the kid who homeschooling is for.” She explained, “He wouldn’t sit still; he had to run and go jump on the trampoline. He was all boy and had such a hard time sitting still for his lessons.”

Her two oldest had vastly different learning styles and were totally different students. McGuffey noted, “Both are great examples of how homeschooling is a great fit for them. Energy and academics aside, ultimately McGuffey stated, “Our main priority in homeschooling is passing on what God values to our kids and being a close family.”

As Mountain View gets established this year, Smalley detailed some of the parents and volunteers who will be sharing their wisdom and knowledge with the co-op. Isaiah McGuffey will be teaching History to ages 10 and up. Rebekah McGuffey will be doing history for Pre-K through 9 years old. Chris Martineau is teaching 10-year-olds and up Science. And Dana Allard is teaching pre-K through 9-year-olds science. 

Smalley described, “The last Thursday of the month, we are planning field trips and special activities. We are hoping to go to a mine, astronomy with Chris, making pies, decorating, cooking, ice skating, painting, butterfly house, and logging. As the year goes on, we may add more activities depending on the kiddos and the parents’ desire for more.” 

She added, “Because of just starting up, we are trying to take it slow and build on it as we go.”

To get more information on Mountain View Homeschool Co-Op in Superior, check out their Facebook page and reach them via email at [email protected].