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Hilltop is a hybrid homeschool cooperative where families work together to emphasize fellowship, discipleship, and support through morning enrichment classes and afternoon individual academic options. The morning enrichment classes are team-taught by all our HCC moms (and sometimes dads). The afternoon transitions to optional individual academic options where older students can choose from a variety of core and elective classes taught separately by independent teachers.

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Reading and respecting this Statement of Faith is a condition of membership in Hilltop Christian Community. Our organization will make decisions and plan activities that are pleasing to God and are in accordance with His Word. It is not a goal of our organization to seek approval from those who disagree with our philosophy, decisions, or activities.

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Hilltop meets on Fridays from September-May, at a church west of McHenry. The morning enrichment co-op is from 9:00-12:00. Lunch and clean-up are from 12:00-1:00. The optional afternoon academic options for the older students start at 1:00.

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Application Fee A non-refundable $25 fee is paid to HCC after an application is approved for membership and covers the registration fee and operation costs.

Membership Fee The membership fee may fluctuate yearly between $175-$200 depending on membership. It is due at the mandatory August orientation meeting and covers insurance costs, background checks, building fees, website costs, and other operating expenses. This fee is paid to HCC and is non-refundable after the second co-op meeting of the school year.  

Monthly morning co-op fees Monthly fees are $7 per child and cap off at 5 children. There are no fees for children 3 years old and younger. Monthly fees cover classroom supplies for the morning enrichment co-op.

Afternoon Classes Fees Afternoon instructors at HCC are considered independent contractors therefore the classes are offered separately from Hilltop by each instructor, and each class has a different cost set by the instructors. Therefore costs fluctuate but are usually between $80 and $300 per year.

Hardship Assistance Any request for hardship assistance regarding monthly co-op fees can be brought to the board of directors. The board will review and make determinations on a case-by-case basis. To be considered, you must have been a member in good standing for one year. Afternoon class fees can be brought to your child’s instructors. Instructors can make separate determinations because they are independent contractors.

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Our morning enrichment co-op has classes available for Pre-K through 12th grade. There is a nursery area available for moms with babies.

The optional afternoon academic classes are for the upper grades. Typically 8th-12th grade, but sometimes middle school classes are available.

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The afternoon class choices will change from year to year as we rely on teachers from our known homeschool community. Classes typically include history, science, math, language arts, and electives like worldview, theology, photography, or engineering. All classes are taught from a biblical worldview.

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The optional afternoon academic classes are intended to offer your student high school credit. Hilltop does not enforce participation in the afternoon classes. Participation is up to the student and grades will be determined by the teacher or parent depending on the teacher's preference.

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Yes and no.

During the morning enrichment co-op, Hilltop families are required to attend and participate. The morning co-op is not a drop-off program. The attending parent is required to serve on a teaching team. All responsibilities will be shared among team teachers. At Hilltop we believe many hands make light work!

Since the afternoon transitions to optional academic classes for older students who are taught by independent teachers, only 9th-12th graders enrolled in one or more classes have the priviledge of being in the building without a parent. 

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YES!! If you do not yet have kids old enough for the afternoon academic classes you are welcome to join us only for the morning enrichment co-op! The fellowship a co-op offers you and your children will make a big difference in your homeschool journey.

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No. At Hilltop, we want to emphasize fellowship, discipleship, and support. That means we need you and your high schooler in the morning co-op time too. Seasoned homeschool parents and kids have a lot of wisdom and experience to offer newer/younger families. Give the morning co-op a try. Since teaching times are being shared, the commitment will be manageable. We promise.

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Every Friday, your child/children will spend the morning with their classroom being taught history, science, art, and music through enriching unit studies and go to gym class too!! As the attending parent, you will spend the morning with your teaching team. 

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During the morning co-op parents will be part of a teaching team to share the teaching responsibilities throughout the year. It is Hilltop's intention to team up so that the teaching responsibilities do not fall on one parent all year. Many hands make light work! Do you love science? Physical fitness? Middle schoolers? Art class? Nutrition? Phonics? Soccer? The morning co-op is a place where you can teach something you love in a team atmosphere. When you teach will vary depending on how you and your team decide to share responsibilities. You may be teaching a few Fridays in a row, but then have many Fridays off while other team members teach. Need ideas? Ask your team members or talk to a board member. We have some materials available. There is a loose scope and sequence to follow, but you and your team decide what and when you want to teach. Once a member of Hilltop, you'll pick your desired teaching team based on the different grades.

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We are always looking for passionate teachers who love God and love homeschoolers! Contact us and let us know what you have in mind! We usually like to know our teachers well, so if we don't know you yet, please allow us to ask you get to know you a little before we decide.