Midwest homeschoolers host used curriculum sale to help families save amid inflation

As inflation continues to pressure families nationwide, KC-area homeschool groups are offering creative ways to help parents save on educational costs, including a June 11 Used Curriculum Sale.

The sale will be 6-8 p.m. at Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri. 

“The goal is to benefit our homeschool community with this used curriculum sale because we know times can be tough financially,” said Jennifer Laporte, homeschool mom and board member of the Midwest Parent Educators (MPE) nonprofit in a recent podcast episode. 

“Most of the time, families are operating on smaller budgets, and so we want to really bless our families with this chance to purchase curriculum that maybe otherwise they would not be able to afford.” 

Laporte also pointed out the wide range of educational items available at the sale, from board games and crafts to math manipulatives and science supplies. 

“I got a microscope for my child,” she said about her purchases from last year. “And that was wonderful because I didn’t really think about it, but that’s just for kids to learn just because they think it’s exciting to grab things around the house or outside and come and look at them under the microscope.” 

For the first time this year, MPE is hosting the sale with Kansas City Homeschool Connection and Cass County Home Educators. 

“We’re having a joint sale with multiple homeschool groups, with the goal that we will have more buyers for our sellers and more sellers for our buyers,” Laporte said. 

Admission is free for buyers. The sale will also feature a free how-to-homeschool workshop at 5 p.m. for people new to homeschooling. 

“You would still get value out of it, even if you’re not quite ready to start your homeschool officially,” Laporte said of the workshop. “It would help you feel well prepared with the information you need, so that you have time to look it over and think about it rather than waiting.”

Laporte advises first-time attendees to prepare for crowded parking and possible lines before the sale opens. Backpacks and wheeled carts can help parents with carrying purchases, and they should also consider bringing their children, she said. 

“For kids, there’s so many great books that are usually at very reasonable prices. And they can bring their money and come and find books that maybe they wouldn’t have even thought to look for online. But they see them, and it’s an opportunity for them to try something new themselves.” 

Attendees can enter the church on the lower level at the portico. Signs will direct them to the gymnasium and fellowship hall for the sale.

“it’s a busy place,” Laporte said, “but it’s a place that’s hopefully full of deals that will fit any homeschooler.”