1. What is LIGHT?

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We are a parent-led homeschool cooperative in the Katy, Texas area seeking to come alongside other homeschooling families to live intentionally and grow together. We do this through a variety of regular social opportunities throughout the year. LIGHT is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt association. LIGHT offers three types of membership: Social Member, Journey Member or Enrichment Program Member.

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2. Are you a drop-off program? What are the expectations for parental involvement?

LIGHT is a parent-led cooperative and parental supervision and involvement is expected at all LIGHT events. At the Community level, this simply means parents are expected to attend and supervise children at all times. At the Journey level, parents are expected to volunteer in some capacity at events during the course of the year. More information is provided about our Journey membership below.

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3. Are there fees associated with membership? 

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Each membership level does require a fee, but those fees vary depending on the level. Membership fees help cover basic costs like maintaining our website, covering insurance costs, and purchasing materials provided at events. We try to keep fees as low as possible. Please scroll down to read detailed information about each membership level including associated fees.

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4. Do you require a signed statement of faith?

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As a Christian organization we require all Community and Journey members to read and respect the beliefs in our Statement of Faith. Enrichment members are required to be in full agreement with our Statement of Faith. 

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5. Who can join?

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Our Community level is open to families interested in or actively engaged in home education and who are in agreement with LIGHT’s purposes and principles. No direct volunteering is expected of you as a Community member.

 

Our Journey level is open to families who are actively homeschooling, who are in agreement with our purposes and principles, and who are willing to volunteer in some capacity. If you'd like to attend field trips, labs offered at the Houston Museum of Natural Science (which includes museum access for a very low cost), or attend other more volunteer-driven events, this is the level for you. 

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Our Enrichment Program is by invitation only after a series of steps are completed, including a mandatory orientation meeting, an application process, and a signed statement of faith. To maintain the integrity of the program, and also due to space constraints,  the number of applicants accepted each year varies depending on how many current families return but can sometimes be quite small.

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6. Are you meeting for the 2026-2027 school year?

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Yes! Community and Journey levels will be open for enrollment starting August 1. Click here for information on how to register for either one of those levels. 

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Enrollment for the Enrichment Program is closed for the 26-27 school year.

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7. What are the perks of being a LIGHT Community member?

 

Homeschooling is not an easy task and we all need support and encouragement! Whether you are just starting out or your family has been homeschooling for years, everyone needs a community. At LIGHT, our main mission is to help you feel supported in your journey and provide opportunities for social interaction for both parents and kids. As a Community member you have access to our BAND, which is the app we use to stay connected and share events. Within the app you can ask questions, connect with other members, access the calendar of free events offered throughout the year, and most importantly- know you are not alone! 

 

 Our Community Members enjoy:

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• Monthly park days

• Access to our Community BAND

• Monthly Mom's Night Out or Mom's Morning Out

• Weekly Mileage Club - held of Fridays

• Boys and girls socials- at least two per semester for each gender

• Teen Socials- minimum of two per semester

And more free opportunities to get connected with other homeschooling families 

 

​Fees: $15/family per social year (Aug 1 - July 31)

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8. What are the perks of being a LIGHT Journey member?

 

Along with all the benefits of our Community membership and events, Journey members have access to field trips offered throughout the year. Members can expect to see 2-3 field trips offered per semester with the potential for more if we have parents who are willing and able to help! Journey has a unique BAND where all events are posted and information is shared about them. As a Journey member you will be added to both the Community and Journey BANDS.

 

Labs conducted at the Houston Museum of Natural Science Downtown are also offered to members at this level. These labs are a wonderful opportunity for your child to experience learning in a classroom setting, explore interesting content, and the whole family can enjoy access to the museum at a low cost.

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It's also at this level that your family can participate in events that require a bit more time and planning, like our LIGHT Living Wax Museum, which is an opportunity for your child to research a historical figure and prepare a presentation sharing about that person's contribution to the world.​ More events are in the works and as a Journey member you can propose ideas and help organize events for our community!

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Fee: $30/family per year (Aug 1 - July 31)

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9. How do I know if Community or Journey is right for our family?

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Because each family's needs and wants vary, the different levels of membership offer opportunities that best fit your family. If you are new to homeschooling or new to the area, if you're looking for a way to meet new friends, or want a low-commitment social group, our Community level is for you! Attend as many or as few events as you'd like (although we would love to see you as much as possible!) and there is no requirement to volunteer in any way. Most all events are absolutely free or offered at a low cost. 

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If you're ready and/or able to give a little more commitment and time, our Journey level may be for you. It's at this level that field trips are offered as well as labs through the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Because our organization is being represented in the larger community, we do require families to read, respect, and act in accordance to our Statement of Faith and to represent LIGHT in a positive manner. At this level you are also required to volunteer in some capacity during the course of the year. We are a cooperative and rely on our members to work together to create meaningful and enriching experiences for our kids. 

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Your volunteering could look like: 

-Proposing and idea for a Journey event and then organize and coordinate it once it's been approved

-Help a coordinator either at a Community event (a boys or girls social, for example) in some capacity

-Assist a field trip coordinator on the day of the field trip to check people in, manage materials, or help other members 

-Help or participate in our annual LIGHThouse event 

-Serve as a coordinator for a Community event 

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No matter which level you choose to join, you'll be a part of our amazing and supportive community! ​

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10. How do I apply to be a Community or Journey member?

 

To join LIGHT Katy Co-op click here for instructions. Early enrollment is in April and regular enrollment begins August 1.

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11. What exactly is the Enrichment program? Does it offer core academic subjects? 

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LIGHT's Enrichment program is a true homeschool cooperative. It is designed so that parents share their giftings, passions, skills and talents with the community by teaching small groups of students in a classroom setting. It is primarily NOT designed for core academic subjects. Because all children progress through academic skills at different rates, our enrichment program is intended to be a safe space for students to explore interesting topics- from sensory play for littles to graphic design and cooking around the world for older kids. 

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Children attend three different class sessions over three hours with other children in their same age range (1st and 2nd grades are together, 3rd and 4th, 5th and 6th, and 7th and up) and explore a variety of topics chosen by the parents teaching them. Parents create a class syllabus outlining what will be taught over the course of the semester (10 class sessions) and teach their class for one of the three hours, assist another parent with their class for a second hour, and enjoy an "off" period a third hour to enjoy connecting with other homeschool parents. 

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To maintain the integrity of our program, and also due to space restraints, the number of applicants accepted each year varies but is typically quite small depending on how many current families intend to return the following year and how many spots are available for each age group. Families also must have actively homeschooled for at least one year before applying.

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Enrichment membership is $60/semester per family, for a total of $120 per academic year. An initial nonrefundable deposit of $40 is due upon your acceptance as an Enrichment member and the $20 balance of the fall registration fee is due by June 1. Spring registration fees will be due typically by November 15. Additionally, class fees are set by the teacher and range from $5-$20 per class. The cost of Enrichment membership also includes all the benefits of both Journey and Community social memberships.

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If you are interested in our enrichment program you will need to attend one of the mandatory information meetings held early in the spring semester- usually late January and early February. An application must be submitted and your family must be in agreement with all items included in our Statement of Faith. You also must have at least one child be 6 years old as of September 1 and in the first grade. 

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Enrichment program members receive all benefits of both the Journey and Community levels of membership.

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Have more questions? Feel free to contact us at info@lightkaty.com

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