Tutorial vs Co-op: What Is the Difference?

Both Support Homeschoolers. The Approach Is Different.

Co-ops and tutorials both exist to help homeschool families. They share a community-oriented model. But the similarities mostly stop there.

Key Differences

Teachers

Co-op: Parents take turns teaching subjects, often based on personal interest or willingness rather than expertise.

Tutorial: Professional teachers with subject knowledge provide instruction. At Saints, teachers are hired for their ability to teach the classical curriculum.

Curriculum

Co-op: Varies widely. Some co-ops have a curriculum; many let individual parents choose what to teach.

Tutorial: A structured, cohesive curriculum. At Saints, that means Wheelock's Latin, formal logic, Novare Science, Singapore Math, great books, and Charlotte Mason methods - all integrated within a biblical worldview.

Accountability

Co-op: Varies. Some have grades; many do not. Feedback depends on the parent volunteer.

Tutorial: Formal grades, assessments, and progress tracking. At Saints, everything is managed through our Classica LMS so parents always know where their student stands.

Consistency

Co-op: Can change semester to semester as parent volunteers rotate in and out.

Tutorial: Consistent from year to year. The curriculum builds sequentially - Latin 1 leads to Latin 2, logic leads to rhetoric.

Commitment

Co-op: Often requires parents to teach or volunteer as a condition of enrollment.

Tutorial: Parents support learning at home but are not required to teach on campus. Your role is coach and partner, not classroom instructor.

Cost

Co-op: Often lower cost since parents provide the teaching labor.

Tutorial: Higher cost because you are paying for professional instruction. Saints upper school tuition is $4,600/year - still a fraction of most private schools.

When Each Makes Sense

A co-op may work well if your children are young, you enjoy teaching, and you want a social outlet with other homeschool families. Many families start in co-ops and move to tutorials as their children reach middle and high school.

A tutorial makes more sense when you want structured classical academics with professional teachers, when your student needs accountability and formal grades, or when subjects like Latin, logic, and rhetoric go beyond what you feel equipped to teach at home.

Some families do both - a co-op for younger children and a tutorial for upper school.

Frequently Asked Questions