How the Co-Op Model works
We are a parent/guardian-run cooperative and all members must join The Bridge Learning Community and adhere to their membership agreements. We do not have paid staff to take responsibility for anyone’s children. Each child in attendance must have an adult on site taking responsibility for their safety and providing support as needed. Individual families sometimes make arrangements between themselves to take responsibility for each other’s child(ren) on certain days to provide some flexibility for parents.
Family Participation
Spark Co-op meets at The Bridge Learning Community a shared space, and we thrive when everyone pitches in. As a co-created learning community, we rely on families not just to show up but to help shape and care for the environment we’re all building together.
Here’s what that looks like:
Monthly Cleaning Commitment: Each family signs up for a rotating cleaning task once a month. Together, we keep our shared space tidy, welcoming, and cared for.
Facilitation Days: Every family helps facilitate 12 Spark days throughout the school year. On these days, you’ll be part of the team supporting the flow of the day, whether that’s setting up materials, sharing an offering, or simply being present and engaged with the community.
Offerings Welcome: Families are also invited to share skills, passions, or experiences with the group! Whether it’s an art activity, cooking, or storytelling, these offerings enrich our community and help create a vibrant, diverse learning environment.
We know each family’s capacity and gifts are different, and we value every contribution. At Spark, your presence matters and your participation helps make the magic happen.
Meet Founder, Director and Lead Facilitator Amy Nelson
Amy Nelson has been supporting young people in child-led, play-based environments since 2018. Amy is trained in Nonviolent Communication, mediation, and conflict resolution, and holds a degree in Agroecology and Environmental Quality. She founded Spark as part of her ongoing de-schooling journey, which began in 2017 and continues to shape how she learns, leads, and connects.
Amy finds joy in foraging, weaving baskets, telling silly jokes (especially a good pun!), and learning alongside kids in a community built on trust and curiosity. She believes in the power of trusting young people, honoring their autonomy, and growing together through authentic connection.
Tuition 2025/26
Spark is primarily supported through the tuition paid by its families. In determining our tuition process, we’ve focused on a few important ideas — trust, access, and responsibility.
The culture of an ALC is rooted in trust. We are committed to developing relationships of trust with students, among our community, and certainly with our families.
At Spark, we believe that access to a thriving, self-directed learning community should not depend on a family’s income. We want every enrollment decision to be based on fit, not finances.
To support this vision, we offer tuition on a sliding scale. We trust families to be both generous and reasonable in contributing what they can so that our community remains accessible to as many people as possible.
Good to know: Many homeschool charter programs will reimburse co-op fees. We’re happy to provide documentation to help with this process.
The Actual Cost of the Program
$250 per month
This is for Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-3pm. Additional children within the same family are $200 per child. There is an additional supplies fee of $50 per child per year.
Sliding Scale Discounted Tuition option #1 for families in need of assistance
$200 per month
This is for Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-3pm. Additional children within the same family are $150 per child. There is an additional supplies fee of $50 per child per year.
Sliding Scale Discounted Tuition option #2 for families in need of assistance
$150 per month
This is for Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-3pm. Additional children within the same family are $100 per child. There is an additional supplies fee of $50 per child per year.
Contributor tier for families who can afford a bit extra
$300 per month
This is for Tuesday and Thursdays 9am-3pm. Additional children within the same family are $250 per child. There is an additional supplies fee of $50 per year per child.