# Microschools, co-ops and home-education vendors

Lesson 1 of [Evaluate microschools, co-ops and learning vendors](https://esavendors.fyi/academy/evaluate-microschools-co-ops-and-learning-vendors.md), 18 minutes.

Many families use more than one vendor. Each type of vendor raises different questions.

## Microschool

A microschool is a small full-time school, often with mixed-age classes. This site's guide reports that programs that cover tuition often treat microschool tuition like private school tuition. It also reports that some programs ask for accreditation or state registration, which a new microschool may not have.

Ask the microschool:

- Which program lists you, and for which campus?
- Do you have the registration or accreditation that my program asks for? Then check it with the body that grants it.
- Will the invoice show tuition apart from extras?

## Co-op

A co-op is a group of families who hire teachers or teach in turns. A co-op invoice can mix class fees with rent, dues and social costs. Ask for an invoice that splits the learning fees from all other costs. Then ask your program which lines it accepts.

## Home-education vendors

In home education, you choose the curriculum and you keep the records. Vendors sell parts of the plan: books, online courses, tutoring and testing. You file each purchase under one category in the handbook, so you have more paperwork.

## Plans with many vendors

Some families combine a microschool, days at home and a co-op. Check each vendor separately. One approved vendor does not make the other vendors approved.

## Sources

- ESA Vendors guide: Microschool, co-op or homeschool, how they differ (updated 2026-10-07)
- ESA Vendors guide: How education savings accounts work, state by state (updated 2026-10-07)

This course is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice.

Also on the [web page](https://esavendors.fyi/academy/evaluate-microschools-co-ops-and-learning-vendors/microschools-co-ops-and-home-vendors).