Support Groups – Granite State Home Educators (GSHE)

Homeschooling is growing across the country and in New Hampshire. This means that there are many educational and networking resources available for families; parents don’t have to recreate the wheel or go it alone. Many experienced homeschoolers are happy to share their resources and coordinate learning opportunities.

GSHE has compiled many resources and tips to help you create learning communities for your home ed journey. In summer 2021, GSHE hosted a discussion with two experienced homeschooling parents who have run a highly successful family-based co-op for several years. Catch their advice and practical tips here.

Below are some organizations that provide services to homeschoolers and support groups. These groups can facilitate connections to other homeschoolers in the local area as well as those that share a similar educational approach or focus. Please note that the distinction between learning groups or "pods," co-ops, and other forms of small-learning communities may be less distinct as they may periodically offer educational and social opportunities in addition to online (social media) support and community.

Also take a look at our Enrichment Classes & Programs page for more educational and social opportunities for your children. Some are specifically for homeschoolers and can provide opportunities for group learning.

GSHE Affiliated Social Media Groups

Granite State Home Educators -- Our primary group for supporting home educators around the state.

GSHE Marketplace -- Our group that brings together buyers and sellers of homeschool resources.

GSHE Homeschool Pod Connections -- A group to help bring together families looking to form home-based learning communities such as homeschool pods and microschools.

GSHE Action -- This is our group specifically for tracking and discussing legislation related to home education.

Local Homeschool Learning Groups and Co-Ops

Statewide Organizations

Catholics United for Home Education (CUHE-NH)

Catholics United for Home Education is a statewide association of Catholic homeschool families and homeschool graduates founded in 1989. They are unique as a Catholic homeschool group in NH because they reach out throughout the granite state. They provide a voice for Catholic homeschoolers in Concord, protecting our freedom to educate our children at home and keep members up to date on NH homeschool bills and changes in law. They support each other in their shared faith and homeschooling efforts. Their board is 100% volunteer and seeks to serve members out of love for God.

Granite State Home Educators (GSHE)

GSHE is a registered 501c4 charity and all-volunteer grassroots organization that believes in empowered families, families’ rights to direct their children’s education, and in the power of community. Membership is free and open to all including prospective, current, and retired home educators. Members receive monthly newsletters that include announcements for classes and events, relevant legislative updates, and information to support their home education journeys. We have an exceptionally active and engaged community with over 5,000 members on our Facebook group where families share educational and fun events, ask questions, and come together as a community. We host special events throughout the year including a Not-Back-To-School Picnic and spring art show. We also host a marketplace on Facebook for families to buy, sell, and trade used homeschool materials. See the list at the top of this page for all of the GSHE communities.

Home Education Advisory Council (HEAC)

HEAC is an advisory board, created by NH statute, comprised of some homeschool organizations, state agencies, and education associations. Their purpose is to provide a bridge for better communication and understanding of homeschooling. They meet every other month through the school year in Concord. The public is welcome to attend.

New Hampshire Homeschool Coalition (NHHC)

Since 1989, the statewide New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition has functioned as an important source of information for homeschoolers, with representatives from each area of the state. They support all reasons for homeschooling and are not tied to any particular method, religion or philosophy. The NHHC publishes a monthly newsletter, The New Hampshire Home Education Guidebook, and has an active website, a Facebook page, plus a Facebook group to join for conversation.

National Organizations

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
HSLDA was founded in 1983 by two attorneys and homeschooling dads, Mike Farris and Mike Smith. Through the years, HSLDA’s primary goal has remained the same—to bring together a large number of homeschooling families so that each can have a low-cost method of obtaining quality legal defense. Today, HSLDA gives tens of thousands of families the freedom to homeschool without having to face legal threats alone. They charge a membership fee for services.

National Home Education Legal Defense (NHELD)
NHELD is a national organization that seeks to protect and defend the rights of families who wish to educate in freedom. They have three goals: empowerment of individuals, unity of purpose, and freedom to educate. They provide various services to members including informing them of federal legislation that may impact their ability to educate in freedom and empowering them with the resources to make informed decisions about the issues. They charge an annual membership fee.

GSHE is always looking to expand its lists of support groups. If you know of a homeschool group that would like to be added, please contact us at info@GraniteStateHomeEducators.org.