KOA thanks the following sponsors of Rochester-area kids in the arts

Pittsford Federal Credit Union

RIT Inn & Conference Center


Indoor fun at the libraries!

LIBRARIES - A great place to visit all the time!
See what's coming up at each branch library

Rochester Area Home Schooling Groups/Resources

Home schooling: It's a trend that's growing in leaps and bounds as increasing numbers of parents decide that they are best equipped, and have the means and energy, to coordinate the education of their own children. Here are the organizations and resources we're aware of in Rochester. (Please send email to suggestions@kidsoutandabout.com if you have ideas for additions to this page.)

Local groups

  • Simply Homeschooling
    Simply Homeschooling is an all-inclusive, non-discriminating group of home educating families in and around Rochester, NY. Members vary not only in their personal philosophies but in their approaches to homeschooling as well; they have traditional homeschoolers, un-schoolers, those using curriculums and those combining several approaches.

  • Rochester Area Homeschoolers Association
    Monthly meetings in support of families growing without schooling ("unschooling").
    Voicemail: 585-234-0298

  • Lilac Children's Carden
    Lilac Children's Garden was conceived by Rochester parents in 1998 to bring the influence of Waldorf education to homeschooling families. Lilac Children's Garden offers weekly classes in a Waldorf environment which supplements and inspires members' homeschool activities. 585-234-5073

  • St. Thomas Aquinas Homeschoolers of the Rochester Area. The email contact is pbelemji@rochester.rr.com.
    St. Thomas Aquinas Homeschoolers is an association of lay faithful established to provide information, experiences, and a supportive community for Catholic families who choose to educate their children at home. Made up of approximately 50-60 families throughout the Diocese of Rochester, we publish a monthly newsletter, hold monthly Mom’s meetings for prayer, support and fellowship, various children’s activities and clubs, and family religious events including a kick-off Mass and potluck, Baccalaureate Mass, and May Crowning. If you would like more information about Catholic homeschooling, please contact us.

  • Greater Rochester LEAH (Loving Education at Home)
    A Christian support group, with local chapters throughout the state. Greater Rochester LEAH provides its members with group lessons, competitive sports, field trips, testing, special events. They also provide information and support for new home school families. Contact them through their web site at http://grleah.org.

  • Charity LEAH: Loving Education at Home
    This group is a sub-branch of LEAH that encourages homeschoolers of all faiths to join; it is not limited specifically to Christians. Contact: Matt and Ellen Gerwitz at 621-6445 or visit the web site at www.charityleah.org.

  • Lake-to-Lake Homeschoolers, Phelps, NY, Julie Burgess, 315-548-4026
    Nonsectarian group that welcomes all orientations, mostly from the northern Finger Lakes area.

  • Buffalo Area Homeschooling Association (BAHA)
    8750 Tonawanda Creek Road, Clarence Center, NY 14032
    Sue Tannehill, 716-741-4755
    STannehill@aol.com

  • Syracuse-area Homeschoolers' Association (SaHA)
    201 Milnor Ave., Syracuse, NY 13224 315-446-3068
    syracusehomeschoolers@yahoo.com

Local Resources

Discussion Lists from YahooGroups.com

The following are some relevant discussion lists you could join on YahooGroups, by going to yahoogroups.com and doing a search for the name of the list.

  • nyhsforum · This list is for New York State homeschoolers. The primary purpose of this list is to facilitate friendly, open discussion of the current or proposed homeschooling regulations and/or legislative action.

  • funschooling · An e-mail list for the Fingerlakes Unschoolers Network.

  • NYHEN-support - This list is hosted by the New York Home Educators' Network. It is open to anyone interested in homeschooling in New York State. Questions and answers/suggestions about complying with the state regulations, filling out required paperwork, dealing with school districts, useful homeschooling resources in New York, etc.

  • FERNetwork - A discussion list for home schoolers in Columbia County, NY.

  • CharlotteMasonWNY - This is a discussion list for homeschoolers in the Buffalo, NY area interested in Charlotte Mason's teaching methods and ideas. Ideas, experiences, announcements, etc.

  • homeschool_atheists - This list is primarily for those who are home schooling their children for secular, rather than religious, reasons, and addresses (among general h.s. info) the special issues these parents and children face as they navigate home schooling resources that are dominated by religious content.

  • NYS-HomeEducators - This is a group for people who are educating their children at home or for those who are just interested in doing so. Ask questions and find support

  • newyorkhomeschooling - A Place where other New York homeschoolers can get together share ideas and chat

  • HomEdWNY - InterDenominational, support, news, curriculum, etc. all unique to the Western NY area and slightly beyond. Corning to Erie, PA., NWest PA to Rochester, NY

  • Links to Supplies/U.S. Resources