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How Do I Price Events for My Homeschool Group?

Setting the right price for your homeschool group events can feel challenging. Price too high and families may not participate. Price too low and you cannot cover costs or compensate instructors fairly. This guide will help you develop a pricing strategy that works for your group and the families you serve.

Quick Answer​

To price events effectively, calculate your total costs (venue, materials, instructor fees), divide by your minimum expected attendance, then add a small buffer for unexpected expenses. Add the two charges that come out of a card payment: Famlo's platform fee, capped at $15 per enrollment, and Stripe's processing at 2.9% + $0.30. Consider offering member discounts of 10-20% to encourage membership, and use Famlo's ticket tiers to create flexible pricing options for different family sizes.

Step-by-Step Guide​

1. Calculate Your True Costs​

Before setting any price, understand exactly what the event will cost to run:

  • Venue fees: Rental costs, deposits, or facility fees
  • Materials and supplies: Craft supplies, science equipment, printed materials
  • Instructor compensation: Fair payment for teachers or workshop leaders
  • Card charges: Stripe's processing, typically 2.9% + $0.30 per payment, plus Famlo's platform fee — 10% on the free plan, capped at $15 per enrollment
  • Insurance or permits: Any required coverage or permissions
  • Contingency buffer: Add 10-15% for unexpected expenses

2. Determine Your Break-Even Point​

Divide your total costs by the number of participants needed to cover expenses, then raise that figure to cover the card charges. What you list is not what you keep.

Example:

  • Total event cost: $200
  • Expected attendance: 20 children
  • Cost per child: $10.00
  • Listed at $10.00, you keep $8.41 of each ticket — $168.20 in all, and $31.80 short
  • Listed at $12.00, you keep $10.15 of each ticket — about $203, which covers the event

Your break-even price is $12, not $10.

The quick version: divide what you need to clear by 0.9, then add roughly another 3% and $0.30. Above $150 the platform fee stops at $15, so on larger payments only Stripe's percentage keeps growing.

This is your minimum price. You will likely want to price above this to account for lower-than-expected attendance.

3. Set Up Ticket Tiers in Famlo​

Use the ticketing system to create flexible pricing options:

  • Standard ticket: Your base price for non-members
  • Member ticket: Discounted rate for group members (typically 10-20% off)
  • Family ticket: Discounted rate for families bringing multiple children
  • Sibling discount: Reduced price for additional children from the same family

Famlo caps its fee per enrollment rather than per student, so a per-family ticket never carries more than $15 however many children it covers. Pricing per household costs you nothing extra.

See Tickets and Pricing for detailed instructions on configuring ticket types.

4. Consider Your Group's Philosophy​

Different groups approach pricing differently:

Cost-Recovery Model

  • Price events to exactly cover costs
  • Keep homeschooling affordable for all families
  • May require more volunteer support

Sustainable Model

  • Price slightly above costs
  • Build a reserve for future expenses or scholarships
  • Can compensate leaders and instructors fairly

Value-Based Model

  • Price based on the value provided, not just costs
  • Higher prices can signal quality
  • Allows for premium programming and materials

5. Research Comparable Pricing​

Look at what similar activities cost in your area:

  • Local museum or nature center programs
  • Community recreation department classes
  • Private learning centers or tutoring services
  • Other homeschool co-ops (if they share pricing publicly)

Your pricing should generally be competitive with or below these alternatives, given that homeschool groups are typically volunteer-run.

6. Create Discount Codes Strategically​

Use discount codes to incentivize desired behaviors:

  • Early bird discounts: Encourage advance registration for better planning
  • Referral codes: Reward members who bring new families
  • Loyalty discounts: Thank families who attend regularly
  • Scholarship codes: Provide reduced rates for families in need

7. Communicate Value Clearly​

Help families understand what their payment covers:

  • Itemize included materials in your event description
  • Highlight instructor qualifications if applicable
  • Explain what makes this event special compared to free alternatives
  • Be transparent about where the money goes

Tips​

:::tip Test and Adjust Start with your best estimate and adjust based on response. If events consistently sell out quickly, you may be underpricing. If attendance is low despite interest, consider reducing prices or adding more value. :::

:::tip Offer Sliding Scale Options Some groups offer "pay what you can" or suggested donation models for certain events. This maximizes participation while allowing those who can pay more to support others. :::

:::tip Bundle for Value Consider offering event packages (like a semester of weekly classes) at a discounted rate. This provides predictable revenue and encourages commitment from families. :::

:::warning Account for No-Shows Unfortunately, some registered families will not attend. Consider requiring payment at registration (rather than at the door) to reduce no-shows and ensure you cover costs. :::

What Comes Out of a Card Payment​

Two charges come out, and neither is added to what the family pays.

Famlo's platform fee. On the free plan it is 10% of the card payment, capped at $15 per enrollment. The cap is reached at $150, so a $250 payment and a $2,000 payment both cost you $15. On the $99 Platform plan there is no fee at all.

Stripe's processing. Typically 2.9% + $0.30 on a US card. It goes to Stripe on every plan, and Famlo does not mark it up.

A $250 semester payment works out like this. The family pays $250.00, Famlo takes $15.00, Stripe takes $7.55, and you keep $227.45.

Cash, check, bank transfer and scholarship money carry nothing at all. Record them against the same balance and the family gets everything a card payment unlocks.

See What's Free and What's Paid for the plans in full.

Sample Pricing Scenarios​

Low-Cost Park Day​

  • Venue: Free public park
  • Materials: $20 for simple craft supplies
  • Participants: 15 children
  • Suggested price: $3 per child. You keep $2.31 of each ticket, or $34.65 in all
  • Stripe's $0.30 per payment bites hardest on small amounts. At $2 a child you keep $1.44, barely covering the supplies. Collect very small amounts in cash, or make the day free.

Science Workshop with Instructor​

  • Venue: $50 community center rental
  • Materials: $75 for experiment supplies
  • Instructor: $100 for 2-hour workshop
  • Participants: 20 children
  • Costs total $225, or $11.25 a child before card charges
  • Suggested price: $14 per child. You keep $11.89 of each ticket, or $237.80 in all

Field Trip with Admission​

  • Venue: $8 per person museum admission
  • Bus rental: $300
  • Participants: 30 people (children and parents)
  • Costs total $540, or $18 a person before card charges
  • Suggested price: $22 per person. You keep $18.86 of each ticket, or $565.80 in all

A Semester Charged in One Payment​

  • Twelve weekly sessions, worth about $50 each
  • List price: $600 for the term. Famlo's fee is capped at $15, Stripe takes $17.70, and you keep $567.30
  • Billed as twelve separate $50 registrations, each one is its own enrollment and carries its own $5.00 fee. You keep $519.00 for the same money
  • Charge the term in one payment where families can manage it, and offer the weekly price where they cannot

Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid​

  1. Forgetting the card charges: Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30 and Famlo's capped platform fee both come out of what you collect
  2. Underestimating materials: Art and science supplies are expensive
  3. Not valuing volunteer time: While not a cash cost, it has real value
  4. Pricing the same for all events: Different events have different costs
  5. Ignoring the market: Being significantly out of line with comparable options