Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren McAllister.
Hi Lauren , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Lauren McAllister, and I have the privilege of serving as the Director of the Richardson Home School Association (RHSA), a nonprofit homeschool co-op that’s been supporting local families since 1992. Over the last 30 years, RHSA has been a collaborative community where families and experienced teachers come together to create enriching, personalized learning experiences for children of all ages and abilities. RHSA has seen a lot of changes in the last three decades—everything from physical location to class offerings to numbers—but the core mission behind the organization has remained unchanged.
At the heart of RHSA is a strong sense of community, built on the belief that education is not just about academics, but also about relationships, growth, and shared experiences. We are excited to be expanding and are thrilled to offer families the flexibility, diverse learning opportunities, and strong sense of community that so many are seeking as homeschooling continues to rise in popularity. Our program includes field trips, holiday celebrations, special events, community-driven fundraisers, and parents’ nights out—all designed to help families connect and create meaningful relationships.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I imagine it’s rare for any nonprofit organization to have a completely smooth road! RHSA has been fortunate to continually have strong leadership teams that navigated challenges with creativity and grace. Over the years, challenges for RHSA have looked like location changes, funding issues, responding to COVID-19, fluctuations in numbers and most significantly, the ever-changing landscape of homeschooling. RHSA has learned to be flexible, responding to the varying needs of families while staying true to its mission.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In the world of homeschooling, you often find drop-off programs for homeschoolers or traditional co-ops where parents are required to teach all day. We’re proud to offer the best of both worlds, providing an experience that strikes a balance in the middle. We have experienced teachers who provide high-quality, hands-on instruction, while also offering a collaborative community where parents are actively involved. Our focus is on creating a dynamic environment where parents can partner together to support their children’s educational journeys, while still maintaining the flexibility that homeschooling offers.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love living in Dallas! It’s a robust city with a wealth of learning opportunities, from museums and theaters to parks and nature—there’s a little bit of everything for homeschoolers and families to explore. What I like least would be the traffic…and that the Mavs traded Luka of course.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rhsa.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeschool_rhsa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichardsonHomeSchool
Image Credits
RHSA
