Traditional schools have been in session for over a month now in the 2026-2027 school year, and many families in the southern Utah County area have chosen alternative methods of education.
Jen Stucker of Payson has been homeschooling her children since her oldest reached school age five years ago. For the past few years, she has supplemented that education through a faith-based co-op based out of her local church congregation.
A homeschool co-op is a group of families who gather regularly to share teaching responsibilities, resources, and social activities. Co-ops vary widely in their time commitments and focus areas.
“Some co-ops are focused on the outdoors; others meet every day or once a day,” Stucker said. “Ours meets every Friday, and we are a faith-based co-op.”
Stucker takes her three children, ages 10, 7, and 5, to Orchard Hills Bible Church (formerly Payson Bible Church) in Payson. She said the co-op serves about 40 students ranging from infants to teenagers.
“We have a very unique group of people here in our fellowship, and a lot of them homeschool their kids,” she said. “A couple of years ago, we got together and started the co-op, and now we’re in year number four.”
As co-op coordinator, Stucker organizes activities and ensures enough parent volunteers are available to teach. She noted that because sessions are hosted at the church, participating families follow a clear code of conduct.
“Because we are a ministry of Orchard Hills Bible Church, we ask our attending families to agree to our bylaws,” she said. “We incorporate Bible memorization, learning memory verses each week, and singing hymns together when we meet.
“We hold our students and families to a standard of conduct that is really important to us,” she added. “We want our students’ speech to be loving, kind, and respectful. We also incorporate community service projects and field trips.”
Stucker explained that every family has unique reasons for homeschooling, noting that her family’s choice is deeply rooted in their faith.
“My husband and I felt strongly about having our kids home because of our faith,” she said. “We wanted to ensure we are teaching them about Jesus and everything He has done for us. We also wanted them at home to learn practical life skills they might not gain in a traditional public school setting.”
She added that while the co-op includes families outside their specific church congregation, the program is currently at full capacity.
“I encourage families looking for a co-op to research and explore options to find what fits their homeschool vision best,” Stucker said.
