Search
-
-
The Little Crown (TLC) is a parent-led Catholic homeschooling group and a ministry of St. Roch Church (334 Main St, Oxford, MA 01540). Membership is open to all practicing Catholic families from any parish.2026 Fall Semester Registration is now closed.
Register Online Today!
Spring 2027 interest form
For families interested in being connected to other Catholic homeschooling families in the greater Worcester area (whether or not you plan to do co-op), please join the TLC email list to stay informed!
-
-
Photo Gallery
-
The Little Crown Homeschoolers
BackForwardPauseCaption
-
-
-
MissionTo support and encourage faithful Catholic families who are homeschooling (or intend to homeschool) their children.
-
-
-
Purpose
- To assist each other in educating our children to be strong in the practice and knowledge of the Catholic faith as taught by the Magisterium in union with the Holy Father
- To strengthen families to truly embrace being “the domestic church"
- To foster Christ-centered community where all members (students and parents alike) are encouraged to grow in holiness
- To cultivate virtuous social interactions and friendships among all members
- To integrate teachings about the Catholic faith into shared learning experiences
- To provide opportunities for homeschooling parents to share their talents and expertise
- To offer a space for families, especially those with young children, to build connections with other homeschooling families
- To assist each other in educating our children to be strong in the practice and knowledge of the Catholic faith as taught by the Magisterium in union with the Holy Father
-
Membership Requirements
- Practicing Catholic striving to live a holy life
- See FAQs for further explanation as to why participating families are required to be practicing Catholics.
- See FAQs for further explanation as to why participating families are required to be practicing Catholics.
- One parent from each family is required to remain on site and serve in at least one capacity.
- Complete the three parish/diocesan safety requirements
- CORI background check
- Safe Environment Training
- Completed online through the Diocese Office of Healing and Prevention
- If you’ve already completed this for another reason through the Diocese, you will not need to complete it again.
- Code of Ministerial Conduct
- Read and acknowledge online through the Diocese Office of Healing and Prevention
- Complete online application during enrollment period.
- Commit to attend all scheduled co-op dates, providing excused exceptions for illness, family emergency, new baby, pre-planned vacation, and other unavoidable absences.
- Attend mandatory Parent Planning Meeting.
- Practicing Catholic striving to live a holy life
-
-
-
Profession of Faith & BeliefsAll members should have a clear understanding and a firm belief and agreement with:
- The Nicene Creed
- Bishop McManus’ Diocesan Policy Regarding Sexuality and Sexual Identity. Please read the policy in one of the following formats:
- Official PDF letter
- Online version
- Background article from Bishop McManus “Particular Law on Sexual Identity”
-
-
-
Participant Ages
TLC offers classrooms for children ages birth through 6 years old.
Nursery: Birth - 1 year old.
Toddler Classroom: 1 year - 2.8 years
Pre-K Classroom: 2.9 - 5 years
Kindergarten: 5 - 6 years
Please note: Classroom assignments can be flexible based on a child’s needs.
This classroom structure fits the needs of the families involved with TLC today, but we are a growing ministry and families with older children OR families who are unable to commit to co-op are encouraged to reach out about the wider TLC community or opportunities for the future.
-
-
2026/2027 School Year
-
Meeting Day & Time
Mondays 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
*Optional but encouraged attendance to Mass at 8:30amFor information regarding the 2026/2027 School Year, please reach out to the TLC Chairperson, Catey Hayden, for more information: [email protected]
-
-
-
Fees$30 per family per semester (non-refundable and due upon acceptance)
*Potential for additional requests to “give what you can” for celebrations, activity materials, etc.
This can be paid online through the St. Roch website via registration page or mailed/handed in via check.
-
-
-
How to Join
How to Join
Read all sections of this webpage and all associated links to ensure we are a good fit for your family.
Complete online application during enrollment period.
2026 Fall Semester Registration is closed.
Please join the TLC email list to stay in the loop: https://mailchi.mp/1c6d58b370d3/tlc-interest-page
Upon acceptance, pay applicable fees.
Complete three parish/diocesan safety requirements at least 2 weeks before the start of the semester.
-
-
-
Contact Information
-
-
FAQs
-
-
"The Little Crown" is a reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary. By naming our co-op in honor of Mary, we hope to encourage families to place their entire educational missions under her maternal care and guidance. Mary always points to Jesus. A Marian name doesn’t distract us from Christ—it magnifies Him.
The Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a lesser known prayer devotion that was popular in the 17th century. This devotion is often prayed with specific chaplet beads. It honors the 12 privileges or "crowns" of Mary, derived from her virtues and privileges as Queen of Heaven. It's also sometimes called the "Chaplet of the Immaculate Conception" or the "Crown of Twelve Stars," referencing Revelation 12:1:“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.”
The devotion was especially promoted by St. Louis de Montfort, a strong advocate of Marian devotion.
The Little Crown chaplet consists of one Our Father and four Hail Marys prayed three times, making a total of 12 Hail Marys—one for each star in her crown. These three repetitions were seen as honoring Mary’s “Three Crowns" of Excellence, Power, and Goodness.
Learn more about this devotion here.
-
-
-
TLC is committed to teaching a classical education with an emphasis on Catholic faith formation and understanding. We celebrate liturgical seasons and feast days, recite common prayers, and weave Catholic truths into age-appropriate activities and lessons.
Other opportunities for learning and development include: Learning to take turns, following directions from someone other than mom or dad, and raising your hand to answer a question.
Once families are committed and registered for a semester, participating parents will receive the current semester syllabus and curriculum.
-
-
-
Most participating parents will serve in the role of teacher in this co-op at some point. It would be presumptuous to assume that a non-Catholic would be familiar with the teachings of the Church, and it would be unfair to expect a non-Catholic to be able to adhere to and pass on Church teachings and beliefs to students. For this reason, participating families are required to be practicing Catholics. For those seeking to become Catholic or those returning to the Catholic faith after time away from practicing, please reach out and we will connect you with our pastor to discuss next steps for involvement.
-
-
-
It is recommended that children participating in the Early Childhood Room (2.5-6 years) are potty-trained, but since at least one parent will be on-site, we have some leeway! Parents can communicate at the start of the semester where their child is with potty-training!
We have a toddler potty and a steep stool in the bathroom, as well as wipes.
-
-
-
We use WhatsApp to communicate quick information, take polls, and share messages of encouragement here and there throughout the semester. It is encouraged that the primary participating parent is part of this WhatsApp chat.
Longer information is communicated via email.
-
-
-
