A good form does two jobs
A registration form gathers the practical details you need on day one, and it gives you a chance to learn whether a family fits the group. The best forms are short. Every extra question is a reason for a busy parent to postpone, so only ask what you will actually use.
Part 1: the practical details
- Parent or guardian names, phone numbers and email addresses.
- Each child's name, age and grade level.
- Allergies, medical conditions and anything leaders should know.
- Two emergency contacts who are not at the co-op that day.
- Photo permission, with an opt-out.
- Whether any other adult may pick a child up.
Part 2: the fit questions
These are the questions that help you decide whether to accept a family, especially if spaces are limited. They are also the questions to reuse if you accept requests online, as co-ops do in Lumi Circles.
- Why are you interested in joining this co-op?
- What do you hope your children will get from it?
- What could you help with, such as teaching, setup or organizing?
- Are you able to attend regularly, on the meeting day and time?
- Have you been part of a co-op before? What worked and what did not?
- Is there anything we should know to make your family comfortable?
Template
[CO-OP NAME] REGISTRATION - [TERM] FAMILY Parent/guardian 1: ____________ Phone: ________ Email: ____________ Parent/guardian 2: ____________ Phone: ________ Email: ____________ Town: ____________ CHILDREN Name: ____________ Age: ___ Grade: ___ Allergies/medical: ____________ Name: ____________ Age: ___ Grade: ___ Allergies/medical: ____________ EMERGENCY CONTACTS 1) ____________ Phone: ________ 2) ____________ Phone: ________ YOUR FAMILY AND THE CO-OP Why are you interested? ____________________________ What can you help with? ____________________________ Anything else we should know? ______________________ AGREEMENTS [ ] I have read and agree to the co-op's code of conduct. [ ] I have read the fees and refund policy. [ ] I have signed the participation agreement and release. Signed: ____________ Date: ________
Reviewing requests fairly
- Decide your criteria first: age range, space, willingness to help.
- Reply to everyone promptly, even if the answer is "not right now".
- Offer a trial visit before families commit.
- Keep what families tell you private and store forms securely.
Link your registration form to the fees page, the code of conduct and the waiver so families see everything in one place.
What not to ask
Collect only what you will use. You do not need a child's full birth date (age and grade are enough), a Social Security number, financial details beyond payment, or detailed information about a family's beliefs or health unless it affects safety at a meeting. Tell families how their information will be stored, who sees it and when it will be deleted, and give them a way to ask for corrections.
- In Circles a co-op owner can ask joining families up to six questions and see their kids' age brackets before accepting.
- Rules and agreements are shown up front.
- Try Lumi free for 48 hours, no card needed.
Start the free 48-hour trial. No card is needed for the 48-hour trial. Circles is part of the paid Academy and High plans.
Frequently asked questions
What should a homeschool co-op registration form ask?
Family and child details, allergies and medical needs, emergency contacts, photo permission, what the family hopes to get and how they can help, plus agreements to your rules and fees.
How do you decide which families to accept?
Set criteria in advance, such as age range, available space and willingness to help, and consider a trial visit before families commit.
How do you keep registration information private?
Collect only what you need, share it with leaders who need it and store forms securely. Do not share one family's details with others without permission.
Can registration happen online?
Yes. Co-ops can use a form or a tool such as Lumi Circles, where owners ask joining families questions and review requests.