Comparison

Propolis vs Scholium

Both handle enrollment, invoicing, and ESA-ready receipts. Propolis costs less, lets families start free, and gives them a provider marketplace too.

What you needPropolisScholium
Enrollment records with waitlists IncludedIncluded
Sections and classes with capacity and grade bands IncludedEnrollment records
Attendance per class day IncludedNot advertised
Transcripts and progress reportsNot built inIncluded
State e-transcript filingNot includedOptional add-ons at $19/mo each
Automated invoicing IncludedIncluded
Invoices and online payments via Stripe IncludedAutomated invoicing
ESA-ready itemized receipts issued by the program IncludedIncluded
Scholarship tracking families run themselves (Step Up / FES-EO balances) Included Not included
Family-facing marketplace of tutors, classes, and providers Included Not included
Volunteer hours tracked per family IncludedNot advertised
Free entry point for familiesFree scholarship tracker, no card requiredNo free tier — payment required before setup
Pricing$75/mo flat for the whole co-opCo-Op $149/mo or Learning Center $99/mo, plus $19/mo per state e-transcript add-on

Scholium pricing and features reflect their published plans; confirm current details on their own site before deciding.

Why co-ops move to Propolis

Lower price floor

Hive Pro is $75/mo flat for the whole co-op, below Scholium's $149/mo co-op plan and its $99/mo learning-center plan.

Families start free

Propolis families can use the scholarship tracker with no card, so you can invite them before anyone pays anything.

A marketplace your families use

Propolis includes a statewide directory of tutors, classes, and providers families can message and hire — Scholium doesn't.

Scholarship-side visibility

Beyond receipts, families see their own Step Up and FES-EO balances, expenses, and reimbursement deadlines.

No add-on ladder

Announcements, messaging, attendance, and volunteer hours are in the one plan instead of priced separately.

Built by a co-op director

Propolis came out of running Berean Arrows, so the workflow matches how co-ops actually operate.

Common questions

How much does Scholium cost compared to Propolis?

Scholium publishes a Co-Op plan at $149 per month and a Learning Center plan at $99 per month, with optional state e-transcript add-ons at $19 per month each and no free tier. Propolis Hive Pro is $75 per month flat for the whole co-op.

What does Scholium include?

Scholium covers ESA-ready itemized receipts, transcripts and progress reports, automated invoicing, and enrollment records with waitlists.

What does Propolis add that Scholium doesn't have?

Propolis has a free entry point for families, a family-facing marketplace of tutors, classes, and providers, and a lower price floor with scholarship tracking families run themselves.

Can I try Propolis before paying?

Yes. Families can use the scholarship tracker for free with no credit card, and directors can set up their hive before committing. Scholium requires payment before setup.

One hive for your whole co-op

No per-family fees. No per-registration fees.