Our School is Unique!
University Cooperative School stands out as one of the few cooperative elementary schools in the United States. At the heart of our school lies a fundamental truth: When families are engaged, students soar to new heights!
Stronger Together
The strong bond between families and our school enriches everyone involved and provides your child with unparalleled learning opportunities. Parents and caregivers support rich experiences like outdoor retreats, theater productions, biking, field trips, cooking, cultural sharing, gardening, and more! Together, we create a vibrant, caring, and adventurous community that gives every student a chance to shine.
Families Are Welcome!
Alumni families describe joining our school community as a transformative experience. As a University Cooperative School family, you are not just spectators but a welcomed and integral part of your child’s unforgettable elementary school journey. You are invited into our classrooms to see the magic happening for yourselves. Come engage in celebrations, sing and dance along during our weekly all-school community time, or share your knowledge and family traditions with our students.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Every family chooses one job—whether it is volunteering during the school day, serving on the Board, organizing the library, or throwing our fun and fabulous auction party in the spring. At our school, you make an impact based on your interests in a meaningful and manageable way for you and your family.
FAQs
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Families spend, on average, 10 hours a month volunteering depending on their chosen job. Many jobs can be done in your own time from home.
Parents/caregivers attend a monthly community meeting to learn about classroom happenings and upcoming school events. The sessions are held in the evenings, and childcare is available for University Cooperative students. Notes are shared for those who cannot attend.
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Do you have time to be a part of our school? Yes, absolutely, and here’s why: our Cooperative is unique! Parents and caregivers play important roles but are not responsible for running the school. We know your time is precious, and although you are invited and encouraged to participate, we are committed to making the cooperative experience a benefit rather than a burden for families. We work with you to find a role that fits your interests, talents, and time.
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Parents and caregivers play crucial roles but are not involved in decision-making, running the school or the education program. We have lead teachers and teaching assistants responsible for curriculum and classrooms, an administrative team responsible for visioning and running the school, and a board of trustees focusing on strategic planning and fiduciary responsibilities.
We do not track volunteer hours. Instead, our families take on specific roles in our cooperative community. Some jobs are more time-consuming than others, but everyone has gifts to share and plays a vital role in our school – regardless of the number of hours you spend here.
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We recognize that raising children takes a village. We also acknowledge that certain life events can impact your ability to volunteer. During your time at our school, there may be years when you have little time to give and other times when you are more involved…and that’s okay!
If you have a situation that impacts your family’s ability to volunteer, we will help you find a way to participate in our community at a level that works for you. We are committed to an inclusive environment where our school is accessible to as many families as possible. We don’t want time constraints to be a barrier for anyone to send their child to University Cooperative.
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The opportunities for community engagement at University Cooperative School are many and varied! Whatever you choose, we promise that you will find your time well spent and very rewarding.
