Before you begin the membership process, we encourage you to learn as much as possible about self-directed education.  Check out some of the books, articles and videos listed on our website. You might also like to attend one of the Open Houses we host every few months. Open Houses provide a valuable opportunity to see the Center and speak with staff, current members, alumni, and parents.

The Center is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday from mid-September to mid-June. We offer both full- and part-time membership options. Families are asked to declare their chosen days when membership begins. The fee entitles the member to unlimited access to the Center during its hours of operation, for the chosen level of membership.

Below are the fees for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.

  • Five days per week - $11,978

  • Four days per week - $10,535

  • Three days per week - $7,902

  • Two days per week - $5,268

Membership process:

Step 1. Interview

Schedule an interview by submitting an Interview Request Form.  When we receive your form we will contact you to schedule the interview.  The interview is an opportunity for you and your child(ren) to see the Center, meet our staff, ask questions, and learn more about our educational approach.

Step 2. Visiting Week

Once the interview is complete, your family may choose to proceed to the next step in the membership process by scheduling a visit week.  The visit week is required for anyone wanting to become a member. It provides prospective members an opportunity to experience daily life in our community and it helps us get to know your child better. The visit week fee is $350. Visit weeks must be completed in five consecutive days for full time membership, and may be completed over two weeks, if necessary, for part-time membership.

Step 3. Membership

Upon completion of the visit week, prospective families and Macomber Center staff will discuss the visit week experience and assess the prospect of membership. Families wishing to proceed with membership will select a membership level, state which days they wish to attend, and submit payment. Upon joining, each new member must sign the Member Agreement, confirming that they will follow the rules and policies of the Center, outlined in the Macomber Center Handbook.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, religion or religious creed, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, or sexual orientation.

Feel free to contact us with any questions. We are happy to assist you in the application process.