About Us

Tree of Life is a Christian homeschool co-op in Harford County, based in Edgewood, Maryland. We are a community of families who desire to honor Christ in our homes, build strong connections, and support one another in the homeschool journey.

As a volunteer-led Christian homeschool co-op, we provide opportunities for shared learning, fellowship, and service. Our families come from across Harford County and the surrounding areas, united by our commitment to Christ-centered education and family discipleship.

At Tree of Life, we believe homeschooling is more than academics — it’s about cultivating faith, character, and a love for learning together.

Tree of Life Co-op is a new homeschool cooperative launching in Spring 2026. We were formed out of a desire to provide families with a supportive, Christ-centered community where we can grow together in faith, learning, and fellowship. Our hope is to create a place where children are nurtured in both academics and character, and where parents can walk alongside one another in encouragement and prayer.

Wisdom as Our Foundation for Learning
Proverbs 3:13: Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding.
Family-based fellowship
Proverbs 22:6: Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Christian Environment
Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Excellence in academics rooted in Biblical truth
Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Attitude of Joy and Respect
Ephesians 4:29: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Adventure in Learning

2 Timothy 1:7: For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Communicating with Grace

Colossians 4:6: Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

The Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed.  (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 1 Cor. 2:13; 1 Th. 2:13)

The Godhead
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — coeternal in being, coeternal in nature, coequal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.  (Deut. 6:4-5; Isa. 48:16; Mt. 3:16-17; Mt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14)

Jesus Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man. (John 1:1-2, 14, Luke 1:35) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Rom 3:24, 1 Peter 2:24, Eph 1:7, 1 Peter 1:3-5) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Acts 1:9-10, Heb 7:25; 9:24, Rom 8:34, 1 John 2:1-2)

Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and that He is the Supernatural agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. (John 16:8-11, 2 Cor 3:6, 1 Cor 12:12-14, Rom 8:9, Eph 5:18)

The Total Depravity of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam's sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and that man is totally depraved, and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Gen 1:26-27, Rom 3:22-23; 5:12, Eph 2:1-3, 12)

Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. (Eph 2:8-10, John 1:12, Eph 1:7, 1 Peter 1:18-19) We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30, Rom 8:1, 38-39, 1 Cor 1:4-8, 1 Peter 1:5) We believe it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word which clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Rom 13:13-14, Gal 5:13, Titus 2:11-15)

The Church
We believe that the Church, which is the Body and espoused Bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons. (Eph 1:22-23; 5:25-27, 1 Cor 12:12-14, 2 Cor 11:2) We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. (Acts 14:27; 18:22; 20:17, 1 Tim 3:1-3, Titus 1:5-11) We believe in the autonomy of the local churches, free of any external authority and control. (Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31 & 20:28, Rom 16:1, 4, 1 Cor 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13, 1 Peter 5:1-4) We recognize believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper as scriptural means of testimony for the church. (Matt 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-42 & 18:8, 1 Cor 11:23-26)

Marriage

We believe that marriage is a sacred covenant created by God to be a lifelong union between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6). We affirm that God has ordained marriage as the foundation of the family, and that intimacy is to be expressed only within this covenant relationship.

Q: Is this a religious organization?
A: Yes, our co-op is Christ-centered. We seek to create a nurturing environment where children grow in faith, wisdom, and love for the Lord, and families can walk together in fellowship and learning.

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for this co-op?
A: We warmly welcome all homeschooling families to join our co-op community! To participate, school-age children should have a submitted notice of intent on file. Families are also asked to support our bylaws and statement of faith, helping us maintain a Christ-centered and nurturing environment for everyone.

Q: How do I register or join the co-op?
A: Registration is simple! At the top of our website click the “Apply Here” button. From there, you can complete your application to join our co-op community.

Q: Does the co-op accommodate special needs children?
A: Our co-op is staffed by parent volunteers who are passionate about creating a positive learning environment for all students. However, our volunteers are not specially trained to provide the support that children with certain special needs may require. Because of this, we may not be the best fit for children on the autism spectrum, children with Down syndrome, or those with conditions that require individualized support in the classroom. We encourage families to carefully consider whether our program will meet their child’s unique needs.

Q: Does the co-op have programs for children who are not yet of school age?
A: Yes! We offer a nursery and a preschool class for our youngest learners, providing a safe and nurturing environment while parents participate in co-op activities.

Q: How does the co-op ensure the safety of our students?
A: The safety of our students is a top priority. All parent volunteers are required to complete a background check, and classrooms are supervised at all times. We also follow clear safety guidelines, have emergency procedures in place, and maintain a secure campus environment so families can feel confident their children are well cared for.

Q: What kinds of classes does the co-op offer?
A: Our co-op encourages parents to share their talents with the group, offering a diverse range of enrichment classes from foreign languages and art to music, photography, cooking, theater, PE, and more!

Q: What does a typical co-op day look like?
A: Our mornings begin with group worship and prayer, followed by a time for announcements. After that, students head to their first class. Each co-op day includes three class periods, a mid-day snack break, and a group lunch. Parents both teach and assist in classes throughout the day, but everyone also has some time off to grab coffee or snacks and share in fellowship in the Encouragers Room.

Q: How much does the co-op cost?
A: Membership dues are per family, per semester. These help cover facility use, administrative costs, and insurance. In addition, there is a student supply fee of $15 per child, per semester, to cover classroom materials. This fee does not apply to nursery-aged children. We strive to provide a high-quality program at an affordable cost, made possible by the service and participation of each family. Please note that if outside costs increase unexpectedly, membership dues may need to be adjusted.

Q: Can I drop off my children for classes?
A: No, this is not a drop-off program. A parent or guardian must remain on campus to teach or assist in the classes they are assigned to. Our co-op thrives because every family contributes, and your participation helps create a strong, supportive, and successful learning community for all.