FAQs

What is it like having 7th and 8th grade in the class?

Students report that, “It’s fun because we all get to hang out,” and, “It’s not that different honestly.” We appreciate having the multi-age classroom because our returning students have confidence and experience coming in that they are able to share with new students. They often model skills or ways of thinking deeply that they learned the year before. This structure also allows us to get to know students and their families well, which makes for a supportive learning team for the students, and allows the focus to be on an individual’s development over time.

What does it mean to be a homeschool cooperative?

The Chicken Coop’s format is similar to a conventional school’s, but one of the things that makes us different is that our students register as homeschool students through their local school district. The homeschool cooperative format allows us to shape our curriculum to highlight farm experiences and focus on individual student interests and needs, while preparing students for life and school beyond the Coop.

How do I register my child as a homeschooler?

Once your student has been accepted to the Chicken Coop, we will send you the digital paperwork that you need to apply for homeschooling in your school district. You sign it and send it off – that’s it! The paperwork is an explanation of our curriculum and schedule, which will serve as your student’s “homeschooling” plans. You don’t need to provide any additional information.

Is the Chicken Coop moving?

Yes, the Chicken Coop will be moving nearby to Stone by Stone Farm in time for the beginning of the ‘24-25 academic year. A big motivation for this move is to create space for the Nipmuc to fully hold and cultivate a relationship to their ancestral lands. We are excited to see their connections grow and plan to take this exciting opportunity to further enhance the Chicken Coop with our experience, mission and future goals.

Do you serve students with specific academic needs (ex: IEPs, 504s, dyslexia)?

We serve students with a range of academic skills and areas of strength, from students who are confident academically, to students with identified academic needs, to students without diagnoses who struggled with academics in their previous schools. We don’t have all of the services available that larger schools do, so during the application process we talk to families and previous schools to determine if we are able to meet the student’s academic needs or if they might need extra support outside of school.

Do you serve students with specific behavioral needs?

Our program is not designed specifically to serve behavioral needs, so during the application process we take time to talk to families and previous schools to determine if we are able to serve each individual student well. Given the small size of our teaching staff and the range of freedom they have, students will need to demonstrate a certain level of responsibility to attend the Chicken Coop School.

How will my child get to and from school?

Currently all transportation to and from school is done by families. Many families set up carpools, and we can help connect you with families who live near you. If transportation is a concern, please reach out to us to see if we can find a solution together.

Is there any special equipment my child needs to attend the Chicken Coop?

All students need to have a laptop or chromebook and a charger to bring to school each day. We are able to help you find one if needed.

In addition, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes are important for staying warm and dry in the colder months. Students have regular outdoor time, even in the winter! We also have some coats and boots available to use.

Do you just farm all day?

No! Our days are a mix of class time, socializing time, and independent work time. Students get a chance to connect to the land through farming and many other ways alongside the academic curriculum. Connections to farming are regularly made through multiple Farm Life blocks each week, during which students participate in the work of the farm. Check out a sample of our week here.

What if my student wants to play sports?

In previous years, Chicken Coop students have successfully arranged to play sports at local public schools and on club teams. If your student is interested in playing sports that will require them to miss class time, we will work with you to figure out how to best balance their team commitments and schoolwork.

Where do Chicken Coop students go after middle school?

Graduates of the Chicken Coop have gone on to attend a variety of public, private, charter, and technical schools for high school, including: Athol, Mahar, Quabbin, Murdock, Monty Tech, Franklin Tech, Northfield Mt. Hermon, Four Rivers Charter School, Cushing Academy, Stoneleigh-Burnham, The Winchendon School, and Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School.

Though every student’s experience is different, we hear many positive stories from alumni about transitioning to their new school, and have heard from several high school teachers that Chicken Coop graduates are well-prepared and tend to stand out because of their intellectual curiosity and their willingness to engage in their studies and in school in general.