As a creative-arts infused program, our mission is to provide a consistent playful space and structure for children to learn from one another as they grow. Through a cycle of engaging group projects, students practice collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.
When we invite kids to challenge themselves, they discover their strengths, inspire others, and develop leadership skills. The multi-age, peer reviewed design fosters purposeful community building and sparks curiosity across subjects.
BACKGROUND
The Curious Co-op kicked off in January of 2019, with lots of courage and big ideas. Over the past six years of repeated practices and reflection, we've established a clear vision and landed on co-op culture that runs smoothly and maximizes student growth.
We know what The Curious Co-op does best and we have fun doing it. We continue to hone our efforts, meet the kids where they're at, and build the community we want for our families.
PRACTICING 21ST CENTURY SKILLS
Through intentional playfulness, The Curious Co-op seeks to provide students with scenarios and challenges that build character and social skills, while developing self awareness that will serve them in their relationships now and in the future. Instead of a top-down teaching model, we lead by example and plan experiences they can grow through by practicing these values.
COLLABORATION +
At co-op, kids work in pairs or small groups so they get a variety of opportunities to balance their strengths and weaknesses with others. They learn about themselves in this process and are inspired by the contributions of their peers.
CREATIVITY +
The lighthearted and non-competitive atmosphere at Curious Co-op invites each child's creative spirit to shine. When they create together things get even brighter.
COMMUNICATION +
The ability to clearly communicate thoughts, feelings, and ideas is important in all areas of life. Just as important is the practice of mindfully listening to others. Co-op kids hone their communication skills by learning from each other through group projects and presentations.
CRITICAL THINKING
From our planning efforts to our individual conversations with kids, we encourage a culture of curiosity in all that we do, by asking questions like,
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"How can we...?"
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"What if...?"
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"I wonder why..."
We respect the queries and interests of all the students, so they know they are valued. The socially-safe environment empowers them to think deeply and share with their peers.
= COMMUNITY & CONFIDENCE
When we focus on practicing Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Communication skills, we end up with a tight knit community of confident kids who bring out the best in each other.
WHAT WE DO
INSTANT CHALLENGES
Small groups of kids enjoy collaborating on solving creative engineering problems with limited materials and time. These challenges put quick thinking and teamwork to the test.
COLLABORATIVE ART
We value the contribution of each person. Together, we create beautiful things and discover there are always many ways to approach art.
STUDENT LED WORKSHOPS
Whether its baking, karate, sewing, sculpture, candlemaking, archery, filmography, or solving the Rubiks cube-
All Curious Kids have something to offer! Student led workshops give them an opportunity to lead others and share their passions.
BOOK CLUBS
Twice a year, we take a literary adventure together. Students choose a book for the group and we celebrate the experience through peer discussions and themed activities that include art and theater.
FALL CUFFS OUTING
What better place than Cuffs Farm to play beyond the walls of our usual meeting place.
WINTER THEATER
Over one month, kids produce a student-written and directed play. They work together to design costumes, learn lines, create the set, and perform three shows for family and friends. They do this with as minimal adult support as possible. The sum of their efforts is a newfound appreciation for each other and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
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PROJECT FAIRS
Twice a year, kids dive into a driving question of their choice within a given subject area. In a low pressure, comfortable setting, they present and lead a hands on experience for a small group of peers. In the evening, we meet at the library so kids can share with the whole community and answer questions from the wider group.
Back at co-op the following week, we celebrate with a Trivia Party! Project fairs offer practice in active listening and questioning as kids to learn from each other, practice public speaking, and reflection.
PARTIES
Seasonal traditions mark the passing of the year. We celebrate with themed parties for Halloween, "Snacksgiving", Christmas, and Valentines Day! These parties usually include instant challenges or improv- always opportunities for kids collaborate and have fun doing it.
RENAISSANCE FAIRE
Huzzah! Dressed the part, students prepare medieval themed activity booths to share with their friends; then gather for a night of imagination, food, and entertainment. We're already looking forward to next fall's annual faire, held in an enchanting wooded yard near Appleton's Fox River.
SERVICE LEARNING
Giving back to the community is something we value. Our past projects include portioning laundry soap for Pillars; to making trail mix for the warming shelter; donating tie blankets and decorating Children's Hospital for Valentines; and raising money for wells in Africa.
PEER REVIEWED WRITING PROJECTS
Three times a year, kids write a paper to exchange with learners at similar levels. They and their parent thoughtfully respond with encouraging feedback. As an optional element of co-op involvement, it's great practice in writing for an audience.
TALENT SHOW + CELEBRATION OF GROWTH
Each family is on their own unique learning journey. This end-of-year event celebrates the self-determined growth of each child. Kids set up their own showcase of accomplishments to share with the community, and we enjoy a traditional talent show and picnic.
REFLECTION
A key component of our co-op is the practice of reflection. At the end of each day, we circle up and discuss what went well and what we'd do differently next time.
At Curious Co-op, it's never the adult's place to determine a child's success. That assessment belongs to the kids. When things don't turn out, they get practice accepting failure as a result of effort, without judgement, and the opportunity to try again. The community is supportive and encouraging. This serves them well as they tackle individual challenges in their life.
MEMBERSHIP
Always adding to the waitlist.
Welcoming new families fall 2025.
LOGISTICS
We meet Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons the first three weeks of the month, September- May.
12:30pm >> Drop off for outdoor play
1pm-3pm >> Organized collaborative experience
3-3:30 >> Snack and outdoor play
3:30 >> Pick up
Most meets are held in a home near downtown Appleton, with the exception of project fairs, held in area libraries.
Because everything we do is collaborative in nature, attendance is required for all meets unless the family is sick or on vacation. We always communicate these instances as far in advance as possible.
COMMITMENT
We ask for a full school year commitment to Curious Co-op, with intentions to complete the multi-year program. This allows for long term planning, flexible shift scheduling, and time for genuine friendships to bloom.
Each Tue / Wed meet is staffed by three adults who rotate work days on a schedule set per semester. Each parent is expected to prepare and/or work roughly two meets per month, keep regular communication with group, and attend monthly planning meetings. We ask that childcare is arranged for younger siblings so that adults can be fully present with co-op kids.
Monthly parent-only planning meetings are held on the third Thursday evening of each month. Together, we reflect on the previous month; brainstorm and discuss new ideas; and look for ways we can better meet the changing needs of the group. It is important for all parents to attend.
COST
Families contribute a $100 deposit and purchase t-shirts when officially accepting an open spot in The Curious Co-op. Deposits are returned in May. If a family determines that the co-op isn't a good fit for them and leaves mid year, their contribution remains with the co-op.
Aside from the deposit which is returned at the end of the year, there are no official monetary costs for The Curious Co-op. There are, however, materials that need to be supplied, donated, or split from time to time. Examples are: art+science supplies as needed.
PROCESS
We aim to maintain a multi-age balance of around 18 students for an entire school year. We accept new members as spots become available and are always adding to a waitlist.
With that in mind, we have openings for students ages 6-9 next year. We are accepting applications now through March 19, 2025.
We will host an Informational Gathering & Q&A for potential new families in early April. Those who are interested in joining will be invited to observe some April co-op days and attend our May Project Fair.
While we strive to be as open as possible to all types of families, membership needs to be a good fit for both sides. There is a time commitment and expectation that incoming families will want to build meaningful relationships with the group. We will wait to officially offer spots until June, to give families a chance to get to know all of us and learn all about The Curious Co-op before making an informed decision to join.
THE FUTURE
We strive for an age/gender balance among eighteen 6-13 year olds each year.
We will be welcoming families with 6-9 year olds next fall.
Interested in joining us?
Please fill out the application below
by March 19, 2025.
Questions? Email thecuriouscoop@gmail.com.
PARENT REVIEWS
EMILY & JASON
“The Curious Co-Op has enriched our family’s homeschool experience in more ways than we ever imagined. Our kids are constantly challenged, inspired and excited by their interactions with the other kids. Thanks to co-op, their friendship and social cups stay full and we are so grateful for it.”
ABIGAIL & KEVIN
“Co-Op has been such a wonderful addition to our homeschool. It has sparked an amazing love for learning in my son and has provided a much needed sense of community.”
BRYNNA & JIM
"This was our first year with the Curious Co-op, and it has been such a wonderful year! It's provided us with a strong sense of community, and the flow of projects has lent structure that trickles into our homeschool life beyond co-op. Our children have found new interests, practiced and developed leadership skills among their peers, and found a comfortable space where they feel confident to share their light and passion. The culture really is a treasure, where kindness and mutual appreciation takes the lead. It's been a blessing to grow with the Curious Co-Op this year, and we look forward to all the beautiful ways we can build on that in the years to come."
ERIN & BRANDON
Curious co-op has given our kids a place to be brave. They’re put in these silly situations and it’s such a welcoming environment. Because everyone is always trying new things, they're not afraid to fail. They understand it as part of the process. It has been amazing to watch my kids grow in compassion, problem solving skills, cooperation, creativity and leadership through the years.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW INCLUSIVE IS THE CURIOUS CO-OP?
We are 8 families who reside in the Appleton area. Being in relatively close proximity allows the relationships we build through co-op to branch into each other's real lives.
The group is ideally comprised of a balance of 6-13 year olds, with equal numbers of boys and girls. For this reason, we only have specific openings each year.
We include both secular and religious families, who all homeschool differently- from more traditional methods to less structured. We have stay-at-home parents and working ones. Overall we are a group who values downtime, simplicity, and freedom. We actively avoid falling into a hurried, overly busy homeschool pace. We align in values as they pertain to allowing us to help each other raise connected, kind, confident kids. We like to be as open as possible to any interested families who share the vision of The Curious Co-op.
We love the variety of learners in The Curious Co-op. There are some who, in a traditional school setting, might be considered ahead and others who'd be labeled behind; some who seem older than they are, others who seem young for their age. Academic ability doesn't matter within our community and we do our best to appropriately challenge the kids' soft skills wherever they are. That being said, we are volunteer parents, not trained professionals. There are some special needs we are simply not able to accommodate in the co-op setting and are happy to discuss this as it comes up. We look forward to meeting new families!
DOES THIS PROGRAM COVER CORE SUBJECTS?
Officially, no. Indirectly, yes. While core subjects are not our focus, academic interests are explored and tend spread among the community. Our two project fairs each year are centered around one science topic and one social studies topic. Our optional peer reviewed papers offer the opportunity to explore different types of writing. We try to choose a variety of book genres for our shared book clubs. Learning is happening all the time. We delight in the natural exchanges between students and the overflow of our homeschools into each others'.
