Wild Life Ranch
Homeschool Co-Op
Learning That Honors Autonomy, Nervous Systems, and Real Life
Traditional schools and most homeschool co-ops are not designed for kids who are wired differently.
Especially not for neurodivergent kids who need a lot of autonomy, co-regulation, and sensory friendly environments.
The Wild Life Ranch Homeschool Co-Op is a neuro-inclusive, self-directed learning community for kids ages 5–15 and their families.
It’s designed for families who believe learning happens everywhere and want their kids to find like minded friends and have leaders who actually want to understand and create an environment designed for how they are wired.
This is not school.
It’s not daycare.
It’s not a drop-off program.
It’s a shared learning environment where kids explore and grow, and parents stay on-site with co-working space to work, and land to explore, rest, and connect.
Why This Co-Op Exists
Traditional education systems are built for compliance, speed, and standardization.
Many kids are labeled “behind,” “disruptive,” or “unmotivated” when the real issue is that the environment doesn’t fit them.
On the other hand, many alternative educational programs are also too structured and rigid or so flexible that the kids don’t have enough guidance and support to engage.
Homeschool co-ops aren’t always inclusive either. They are often built on the unpaid labor of moms who are giving everything for their kids. They are usually once a week and families are left piecing together multiple programs across the week driving to different locations, and trying to build relationships with new kids and parents at every one. They often lack understanding of neurodivergent needs, clear leadership, small group sizes, large spaces with room for alone time and breaks, and just the right balance of autonomy and invitations to engage. The parents often don’t get a break and are expected to just keep giving and supporting without rest or time to work to have an income or just rest.
This co-op exists to offer something different.
Here, learning is:
-
Self-directed and personalized
-
Strength-based instead of deficit-focused
-
Rooted in co-regulation, autonomy, and consent
-
Designed to support neurodivergent nervous systems that crave autonomy but may need a little guidance or structure
-
Focused on Leadership and collaboration
-
Protizes Empathy and communication
-
Builds Problem solving and resilience
Is This a Good Fit?
This co-op may be a good fit if you are looking for:
-
A flexible, neuro-affirming learning environment
-
Community without rigid expectations
-
Space where kids and parents are both supported
-
An alternative to traditional schooling models
It may not be a fit if you’re seeking:
-
Drop-off childcare
-
A standardized curriculum
-
Academic pressure or grade-based outcomes
About the Founder
Meghan Bonde is a neurodivergent speaker, coach, former K-12 educational leader, and parent of two tweens.
She is building this co-op in collaboration with her kids while honoring her own needs for rest, play, community, and meaningful work.
This space reflects the same philosophy behind Work the Way You’re Wired:
Learning, like work, should support capacity, not demand constant performance.
The Role of the Parent
-
Parents are not expected to facilitate. Highly qualified facilitators create safety and space for autonomy and invite kids to engage at their own pace and their own way. Parents can work or take a break.
-
While parents can step back, they are also valued collaborators and know their child best to problem solve and design an environment and rhythm that actually works for their child.
The Role of the Facilatator
-
Multiple potential facilitators with experience supporting neurodivergent learners are interested in supporting this co-op.
-
Facilitators align with the core values of the space, including:
-
Autonomy and consent
-
Co-regulation and nervous system support
-
Trauma-informed practices
-
Strength-based approaches to learning
-
Facilitated offerings are optional and designed to complement, not control, self-directed learning.
Kids and parents are trusted. Curiosity is valued.
Play is not treated as a reward for productivity.
What Learning Looks Like Here
Indoor Learning
The indoor spaces support a wide range of learning styles and energy needs, including:
-
Art and maker spaces for project-based learning
-
Quiet areas with books and sensory tools
-
Technology areas for gaming, creating, and exploring
-
Cooking and science experiments
-
Writing, reading, and real-world math
-
A kitchen for snacks or lunch at any time
Kids move fluidly between activities, guided by interest and capacity rather than rigid schedules.
Outdoor Learning
The ranch offers 13 acres of land designed for movement, exploration, and embodied learning.
-
Free play and exploration
-
Games and sports
-
Scavenger hunts and obstacle courses
-
Building projects
-
Music, movement, and singing
-
Gardening and hands-on work
An insulated former horse arena provides year-round space for running, biking, sports, and big-body movement.
Program Details
-
Ages: 5–15
-
Dates: February 2 – May 28, 2026
-
Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
-
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
-
Price: $3000 for the spring cohort (about $750 per month per child)
-
Location: 14208 W. 96th Ave, Arvada, Colorado
This is a self-directed learning environment with optional facilitated offerings. Families maintain responsibility for their child’s education while accessing space, community, and support.