HPCA Co-Op

Christian Education is one of Exceeding Grace Christian Center’s (EGCC) core values. However, we believe parents are primarily responsible for directing their children’s education. Parents should not have to choose between a quality education for their children and the financial well-being of the families. To that end, we established Harvest Preparatory Christian Academy (HPCA) Home-school Co-op to assist families in educating their beloved children. We seek to provide a spiritually, emotionally, and physically safe environment conducive to learning.

HPCA’s Home-school Co-op is not the genesis of HPCA. Our doors initially opened in August 2006 as an affordable private school. We began with ten students of varying educational abilities (2 of which started with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) from the local school district). The students used a digital learning platform from Alpha Omega Publications, known as Switched-on-Schoolhouse. The outcomes were nothing short of phenomenal. The program closed after a year as recruitment proved difficult as the general public did not fully embrace the homeschooling model at that time. The ten students returned to the public school system at or above grade level, including those previously behind students. This success story is a testament to the effectiveness of our approach.

Since then, we have evolved significantly. As a ministry, we believe we can provide a model for the new paradigm of distance learning, a model that can be implemented in various community settings. We have also become a pillar of support for families who have embraced homeschooling, demonstrating our adaptability and commitment to our mission.

According to Hechingerreport.com, private school tuition has increased by 53% to an average of $26,000 per year in the last decade. Yet, the median household income has increased by only 8 percent in the same time frame. Until real reform takes place in the public school sector, many parents are turning to private and home education to give their children the resources and experiences needed to compete in a changing society.

Perry, Andre. “A Private School Resets Its Tuition.” The Hechinger Report, 30 Mar. 2020, hechingerreport.org/a-private-school-resets-its-tuition/.

Our facilitators can assess each student’s cognitive level and assist parents in addressing their student’s academic deficiencies. Because struggling students learn or remediate at their own pace, they can regain their confidence.

Socialization is a vital part of child development. With the increased use of digital media in the early stages of development, children often lose the ability to interact with peers of different backgrounds and socio-economic statuses. By allowing students to leave their homes and participate in co-ops, children learn problem-solving, conflict resolution, and effective communication, which are paramount to human development.