Family is the first and most essential community, where children grow in love, learning, and meaningful relationships. Many Charlotte Mason families thrive with simple days at home, while others find great value in gathering with like-minded families for encouragement, nature outings, book groups, and shared learning experiences.
Community can take many forms—whether it’s a small circle of friends, a structured co-op, or an informal gathering at a park. Each family’s needs and capacity for outside commitments will be different, and it’s important to thoughtfully consider what aligns best with your homeschool journey.
This page serves as a guide to help you explore local Charlotte Mason groups in Southern California, offering opportunities for connection and shared learning. Whether you’re seeking fellowship, support, or inspiration, we hope you’ll find a community that enriches your homeschool experience.
If you would like to have your Southern California Charlotte Mason group listed, please email admin@CharlotteMasonEducation.org.
(Chino Hills, California) This group meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month and reads Charlotte Mason’s volumes and other related books. This group is led by Glenna Heustis & Aimee Nielsen.
Contact: gjheustis@yahoo.com
(Costa Mesa, California) This group meets every 2nd Saturday of the month from 9am – 11am throughout the school year and reads Charlotte Mason’s volumes and other related books. Group leaders are: Erin Kunkle, Naomi Goegan, and Melissa Runcie.
Contact: naomi@charlottemasoneducation.org
(Buena Park, California) Riches North has two offerings for families seeking community in North Orange County:
Contact: richesnorth@gmail.com Website: https://www.richesnorth.com/
We meet on Friday’s for hikes throughout Orange County and on Wednesdays we meet at Irvine park for riches. We sing a folk song and hymn together and study an artist and composer
We are very flexible, no requirements. I would say we are mostly Charlotte Mason.
Contact: Charity Miley, charitynmiley@gmail.com
(Orange County, California) We exist to provide a broad and generous curriculum to every child, providing a grand feast of ideas that trigger the desire to be lifelong learners that positively impact their community, state, and country. We do this by presenting a classical education that supports the building of character and develops virtue that is implemented through the wisdom of Charlotte Mason principles.
Classes are offered twice a week, September through May, and include History, Citizenship, Grammar, Geography, Nature Study, Latin, and the arts.
Classes are separated into groups or forms based on subject and age of the child. Form I includes children ages 6-8 years old. Form II includes ages 9-12 years old. Curriculum is centered on literature, living books.
We are a mobile class, existing outdoors. The atmosphere provided by nature’s plants, skies, animals, and weather evoke creativity and strengthen the habit of attention.
Contact: liveoakeducation@gmail.com Website: https://liveoakeducation.wordpress.com/
(Orange, California) We are a vibrant learning community where our children are challenged, motivated, and inspired by their peers, and where mothers flourish as educators seeking to impart a living education through the methods of Charlotte Mason.
Mission:
Sursum Corda provides a rich atmosphere of learning, inspiring children with a broad and generous educational feast that will challenge and inspire us as we nourish our souls on the true, the beautiful, and the good. We commit to growing together as mothers, educators and spiritual influencers in our families.
Description:
From the early years to high school, families gather every Thursday for a full day of lessons in literature, history, science, Shakespeare, Plutarch, Latin, Logic & Apologetics, fine arts, and music appreciation. Times of remembering and sharing are incorporated into our weekly and term rhythms. With Shakespeare Showcases for friends and families, a variety of “Olea” events (Sursum Corda’s expression of Charlotte Mason’s “Mother Culture” idea), and a dedication to connect with the larger Charlotte Mason homeschooling community – our program, like our view of education, is broad and inclusive.
Philosophy:
We pursue wisdom in accordance with the Classical Christian Tradition through the principles and methods of the Charlotte Mason philosophy.
“For what, after all, are principles but those motives of first importance which govern us, move us in thought and action?” ~Charlotte Mason, Toward A Philosophy of Education
Affordability:
We are able to offer a high-quality education at a lower cost than most programs by utilizing the resource of the talents, skills, and time of the mothers (and some fathers) in our program. We are completely volunteer run and every mother is assigned either a teaching, assistant, or administrative role in our community. We have found that this model allows our moms to also grow in their knowledge and passion for a particular subject and the students benefit greatly from a teacher who cares deeply. We are all here working together “for the children’s sake”.
Contact: sursumcordacommunity@gmail.com Website: https://sursumcorda.co
(San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles) We are Christian home educators from different walks of life, backgrounds, and experiences inspired by Charlotte M. Mason. This group meets for book study and park days.
Differences are respected within the group. There’s a large range of resources and developing curriculums for Charlotte Mason educators, and we all resonate with them differently. There are even a growing number of Charlotte Mason charter schools and co-ops around the United States and Europe. Churches are adapting it to their discipleship and Christian education programs. The many seeds of good ideas spread through Charlotte Mason are coming up differently in each context, so it’s fun to share what we have in common and exchange ideas and resources growing as educators.
We hope Live Oak Educators will serve to help you make meaningful connections with other Charlotte Mason Educators and help you grow in her methods as you inspire your children and students toward their identity in Christ, discipleship, and the journey of lifelong learning!
Website: https://www.liveoakeducators.com
This list is in no way exhaustive, there are many more Charlotte Mason groups in Southern California.
If you haven’t found a group that’s the right fit, consider starting one! Many thriving communities began with just a few families meeting at a park and reading Home Education together.
Before making long-term commitments, it’s helpful to meet in person first. A simple gathering at a local park allows families to get to know each other and consider factors like children’s ages, location, commitment level, punctuality, educational goals, and leadership roles. Clarity on these details from the beginning can prevent issues and help your group to flourish.
Here are some resources to guide you: