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What is the Homeschooling curriculum?
A homeschooling curriculum is a comprehensive educational plan designed to educate students at home.
It provides a roadmap for parents and educators to deliver a well-rounded education.
A holistic curriculum along with core subjects incorporates learning through experiential learning.
Homeschooling curriculum ensures that the students meet or exceed academic standards. The curriculum is influenced by individual learning styles and family preferences.
Homeschooling programs set guidelines to help your child stay organized, and save time while maximizing efficiency.
The curriculums incorporate living books, avoid formal teaching methods, and emphasize the independence of the child.
Looking for private tutors for homeschooling? Book a Free Trial Lesson with Wiingy today and match with expert tutors to achieve your academic goals!
Why Pick the Best Homeschool Curriculum?
Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular educational option for families across the US. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the overall rate of parents choosing to homeschool their kids has grown from 5.4% to 11.1%.
Selecting the ideal homeschool curriculum is crucial for the child’s educational journey. Here is a comprehensive list of the top homeschooling curriculums for children at all educational levels.
Best Homeschool Curriculum for Preschool
#1 All About Learning Press
All About Learning Press offers effective, fun, and affordable reading and spelling programs to help your homeschool student become a proficient reader and speller.
Children are taught phonics, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension through multisensory Orton-Gillingham approach.
It provides scripted lessons for reading in an easy-to-follow format through 4 levels.
For spellings, All About Learning Press has a 7-level program taught using the Orton-Gillingham approach.
Their unique color-coded letter tile system makes learning more fun and effective than traditional learning programs.
For break the word-guessing habit, All About Learning Press uses its highly effective blending procedure.
The child is taught 20 minutes every day in a logical sequence.
Key Specs:
Pricing: Grades Material starts at $20.95
Accreditation: –
#2 BookShark
Bookshrak is a literature-based curriculum scheduled 4 days per week covering a 36-week program.
BookShark Virtual is an online platform designed for families who want digital access to their program and online assignments to monitor students’ progress.
Through BookShark Virtual your child will have access to their reading schedules, take assessments, and receive instant auto-graded results.
Bookshark uses levels based on age ranges instead of a rigid grade system. They believe that kids mature at different rates so they can blossom at their own pace.
You can choose a curriculum at BookShark by following these three steps:
- Choose one out of the three curriculum options- All Subject Package, History Package, or Individual Package.
- Choose a level based on the topics you want your child to study.
- Choose a subject.
Accreditation applies only to institutions of learning (schools, colleges, universities) but never to curriculum. Because BookShark is a curriculum provider, it is not accredited.
Key Specs:
Pricing: Level Pre-K All-Subject Package: $347.80
Accreditation: –
#3 Hooked on Phonics
Hooked on Phonics supplements school curriculum for kids being homeschooled.
They provide kids with monthly practice packs mailed to their doors. The pack consists of a 32-page workbook, 2-3 storybooks, and celebration stickers.
Hooked on Phonics subscription gives you access to the Hooked on Math and Hooked on Spelling Apps at no additional cost.
Hooked on Spelling introduces your child to common spelling patterns through fun activities and gameplay, giving them a chance to practice their newly acquired skills.
Hooked on Math introduces your child to a new fantasy land, where they earn prizes for moving through levels.
At Hooked on Phonics, your 30-day trial costs just $1.
Key Specs:
Pricing: After your 30-day trial, you can continue your subscription for $13.99 plus $2.99 for shipping, for a total of $16.98 a month.
Accreditation: –
Best Homeschool Curriculum for Elementary School
#4 American Heritage Education Foundation
The American Heritage Education Foundation (AHEF) is dedicated to the teaching of America’s factual and philosophical heritage including the Bible-inspired principles that shaped America’s founding.
The AHEF is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides free K-12 lesson plans and textbooks.
It was established to promote constructive citizenship, Freedom, Unity, Progress, and Responsibility among teachers, students, and citizens.
AHEF’s approach to history is factual, objective, and patriotic. It emphasizes the themes of Freedom, Unity, Progress, and Responsibility.
Homeschool Base’s homeschooling community nominated and voted the AHEF website (americanheritage.org) to the Top 10 Best Education Websites of 2017.
Key Specs:
Pricing: Free
Accreditation: Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) and AdvancED
#5 BJU Press
Courses offered by BJU Press teach biblical worldview foundations which encourage critical thinking skills.
They provide learning materials for all core subjects from K3 to Grade 12, including Bible courses and other elective opportunities.
Lessons are structured on educational best practices and support multisensory learning.
Provides engaging video lessons that bring learning to life. Children get personalized instruction from experienced teachers.
Through creative projects, experiments, and digital field trips children are taught how the Bible is central to every subject.
BJU Press motivates your kid to learn with visually stunning textbooks. Colorful maps, charts, photos, and illustrations help make learning interesting and fun.
Parents can refer to the teacher’s edition for essential guidance on fun activities and additional explanations.
BJU Press follows an online and parent-led format that fits your lifestyle.
Key Specs:
Pricing: Grades 1-8: $75
Grades 9-12: $125
Accreditation: Academy of Home Education
#6 IXL Learning
IXL provides a diverse PK-12 curriculum that helps learners succeed in math, literacy, language, and more. It provides unlimited practice problems with up-to-date tracking of your child’s progress.
IXL is perfect for homeschooling families. It provides content covering over 4,500 unique topics, and personalized learning that adapts to the child’s level.
IXL lets children learn at their own pace. It equips learners with unlimited practice problems, interactive questions, detailed explanations of topics, and mobile apps for practice on the go to maintain flexibility.
Key Specs:
Pricing: Maths & Engish: $11.35 per month,
Maths: $7.17 per month (LKG-XII),
English: $7.17 per month (LKG-XII)
Accreditation: IXL is not an accredited homeschooling program.
#7 K12
K12 is an online homeschool that develops the curriculum for the child. The school features a curriculum devised by certified teachers.
Parents can choose from tuition-free or tuition-based online school options, both of which meet the requirements of traditional schools. Students engage in learning through a combination of live online instructions, offline activities, self-paced assignments, videos, quizzes, and games.
Throughout the year, K12 provides kids with the opportunity to spend time with classmates virtually and in person through field trips, and school-based clubs, connecting them to their peers across the nation.
Students can compete nationwide in esports, and inculcate communication skills. More than 2 million students have chosen K12 as an alternative to traditional schooling.
For children not enrolled in a homeschool program, K12 offers an online store where parents can purchase individual online courses for homeschooling.
Key Specs:
Pricing: $260-$450 per class ($900 if teacher-led)
Accreditation: Cognia
#8 Bridgeway Academy
Bridgeway Academy offers a variety of curriculum kits suited to meet your child’s learning needs and style.
Bridgeway’s Grade Level Kits provide a full year of core courses and electives that come with detailed guides. With day-to-day instructor guides, you can easily follow the program and partner with your child in the education.
Bridgeway Academy’s online classes are taught by highly skilled, certified teachers. With classes that meet once or twice each week, parents can maintain their flexible schedules.
Bridgeway Academy honors your role as a parent and works with you to ensure that you can seamlessly integrate your curriculum into your child’s learning journey while enjoying the one-to-one support, accreditation, and expertise needed.
Key Specs:
Pricing: $700-$900 per year; $350+ for individual courses
Accreditation: Cognia; NCAA Approved
#9 Education.com
Education.com’s Reading, Writing, and Math resources are aligned with your state and regional standards.
Education.com’s guided lessons include carefully sequenced activities filled with characters kids love. Your child will be taught 800+ core skills through fun songs, stories, worksheets, and games.
It has more than 20,000 engaging and colorful worksheets for math, social studies, reading, and writing for Pre-K-8 grade.
Skill progression is made easy through the handy Progress Tracker so parents can keep a check on which mental muscles need more flexing.
Education.com has expertly designed fun games and digital and printable resources that help learners practice and build upon skills in math, reading, writing, and typing.
Key Specs:
Pricing: $5 per month (Annual); $8 per month (Monthly)
Accreditation: KidSAFE Seal Program.
Best Homeschool Curriculum for Middle School
#10 Calvert Academy
Calvert Academy provides both monthly and per-course payment options. Students create an individualized learning plan based on their goals, current academic standing, and style of learning.
An academic team of teachers, counselors, and advisors provides personalized academic support to the student. Teachers frequently communicate with parents to inform them of their child’s progress.
Calvert’s Dual Credit program allows juniors and seniors to earn high school and college credit at the same time while jump-starting their college careers to save both time and money.
Key Specs:
Pricing: K-2: $160-$380 per year,
Grade 3-12: $320 per year
Accreditation: NCA CASI and SACS CASI of Cognia.
#11 American School
American School is recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as a non-public high school.
Students can enroll in individual subjects in grades 6,7,8 to enrich an existing homeschooling curriculum or a full year of Middle School.
A full year of middle school at American School consists of 5 units of credit each in English, Math, Science, and Social studies plus an elective–at a cost of $1000.
Students can enroll anytime and learn at their own pace. They are free to choose the method of delivery of education- print, online, or a combination of the two.
Students can choose from more than 100 self-paced courses in traditional subjects such as English, math, social studies, and science and take electives in such subject areas as business, career and technical education, fine arts, and world languages.
It is the responsibility of the parents/guardian to meet the compulsory attendance requirements of the state and comply with the legal requirements of the student’s state homeschool laws.
Key Specs:
Pricing: Honors courses cost $425 for a full unit of credit and $375 for a half unit of credit.
Credit recovery costs $325 for a full unit of credit and $275 for a half unit of credit
Accreditation: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), and Accreditation International (Ai).
#12 Apologia
Apologia equips children with a Christian homeschool curriculum that draws students toward a high order of facts and values.
Apologia’s hands-on components help students link collections of facts to the natural world.
Apologia also provides a Homeschool boot camp that will help you navigate the homeschool journey with down-to-earth guidance and wisdom gained from experienced homeschool parents.
Parents can join Apologia’s Facebook group for connection, encouragement, and support from homeschooling families.
Apologia’s mission is to help homeschooling students and families learn, live, and defend the Christian faith through their print and digital curriculum and live online classes.
Key Specs:
Pricing: Curriculum sets start at $75
Accreditation: –
#13 Calvary Preparatory Academy
Calvary Preparatory Academy offers fully online, Christian education for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
CPA students enjoy a well-rounded, vibrant school culture. Students are encouraged to be an active part of communities through clubs, forums, workshops, and live and virtual events.
The school provides live, one-on-one mentor support. CPA works individually with the students to help them grow mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
CPA challenges your homeschooler with an academically rigorous curriculum to meet the challenges of the changing world.
Key Specs:
Pricing: Curriculum sets start at $75
Accreditation: –
#14 Time4Learning
Time4Learning provides a standard-based grade-appropriate curriculum. You can customize your child’s education based on their strengths and challenges.
To keep the child engaged, Time4Learning uses short animated lessons for younger students and a lecture format for older students. Within each subject, there are activities, quizzes, and assessments that can be completed in order.
Parents have their own login where they can monitor their child’s progress. Automated grading and detailed reporting make tracking progress easy for busy parents. As a Time4Learning member, parents can connect with an active community of like-minded parents.
Key Specs:
Pricing: PreK-8: $19.95 per month,
Grade 9-12: $30/m
Accreditation: Since Time4Learning is a curriculum and not a school, accreditation does not apply.
Best Homeschool Curriculum for High School
#15 Khan Academy
Khan Academy has a comprehensive content library that has thousands of high-quality articles, videos, and exercises developed by teachers and subject matter experts. The platform is not intended as a full curriculum, but rather as a supplement.
Parents can find lessons that align with what the kids are currently learning. You can prepare your kid for college-level coursework with Khan Academy’s AP Courses.
Start by taking the Course Challenge, which will help you identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses and make recommendations for what they should study next.
Key Specs:
Pricing: Free
Accreditation: –
#16 Forest Trail Academy
Forest Trail Academy is a leading accredited online K-12 school in the US that offers a learner-focused alternative to traditional education.
Forest Trail Academy is committed to providing quality education from Kindergarten through High School. The academy provides a well-rounded education accessible to all students, even those in non-traditional circumstances.
Forest Trail Academy offers two diploma options to cater to students’ academic needs- the College Prep Diploma or the General Ed Diploma.
Key Specs:
Pricing: $900 per year offline, $1,800-$3,200 for online
Accreditation: Cognia; Middle States Association – Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA CESS); Accreditation International (Ai); and more
#17 Mia Academy
Mia Academy covers hundreds of lessons in math, language arts, science, and social studies, covering K-8. The Academy is built with all learners in mind, children can take tests without the pressure of timers, and work at their own pace.
Mia Academy gives parents access to select courses that range from basic to challenging and define the passing grade for their child.
Students design art, clothing, and furniture and gain real-life experience by selling them to other students. Students can express themselves by writing for the Miacademy Weekly- a student-run site newspaper.
Mia Academy encourages kids to participate in fun and educational games and competitions to earn medals. Mia Academy provides a separate parent account for parents to monitor their child’s progress.
Key Specs:
Pricing: $29.99 to $40.00 per month
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
#18 Oak Meadow
Oak Meadow provides a secular, book-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum for preschool through high school. They offer 36-weekly lesson plans, with a variety of assignments, activities, and readings.
They provide the home teacher with an assignment checklist, planner, material lists, and learning assessment rubrics to track the student’s progress.
Parents often use Oak Meadows material as their children’s academic foundation and supplement them with other educational resources.
If a parent is homeschooling on their own, they are free to purchase Oak Meadow’s PreK-12 curriculum. However, if a child is enrolled in Oak Meadow School, the curriculum material will be included with the price of tuition.
Key Specs:
Pricing: $745 for full curriculum, $120 for single courses
Accreditation: New England Association for Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Looking for private tutors for homeschooling? Book a Free Trial Lesson with Wiingy today and match with expert tutors to achieve your academic goals!
Other Useful Reads
What is Homeschooling? [Types, Advantages of Homeschooling]
Why Homeschooling? [Pros and Cons]
Online Tutoring for Homeschooling: Benefits and Strategies
How to start Homeschooling [Top 12 Tips to Get Started]
Best Online Homeschool Programs in 2024 [Top 15]
Homeschool Socialization: Top 6 Ways to Keep Your Child Socially Connected
FAQs on best homeschool curriculum
What should I look for in a good online homeschool program?
While choosing a good online homeschool program, consider the following factors:
1. Accreditation: No US state requires you to have an accredited homeschool program. However, in some states, a homeschool may need to be affiliated with an accredited program or monitored by a state-certified teacher.
2. Curriculum Quality: Opt for a comprehensive, well-rounded curriculum that aligns with your state’s educational standards.
3. Flexibility: Homeschooling allows self-paced learning so the program should offer flexibility, enabling parents to choose the best times for their child’s learning.
4. Certified Teachers: The homeschooling program should have certified and experienced teachers who can provide instant support and feedback and help parents monitor their child’s progress.
5. Socialization Opportunities: The homeschool should provide students with opportunities to interact with their peers, inculcate communication skills, and, learn teamwork.
6. Availability of Demos: Trial periods or Demos help parents explore the program, curriculum, and the opportunities provided before committing.
How does Homeschooling affect college admissions?
Homeschooling does not affect college admissions. Homeschoolers get accepted to colleges as often as their peers in traditional schools.
According to the National Home Research Institute, home-educated students typically score above average on the SAT and ACTs that colleges consider for admissions.
UNC-Chapel Hill admitted 47% of homeschoolers, while their standard admission rate is closer to 17%.
According to the Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Duke University, Christoph Guttentag, homeschool applicants are admitted at rates comparable to the overall applicant pool.
The United States Air Force Academy offers homeschoolers advice on an admissions webpage and indicates that “homeschooled students are as competitive for appointment to the United States Air Force Academy as any other applicant.”
Can students receive diplomas or certificates from online homeschool programs?
Yes, students can receive diplomas or certificates from online homeschool programs. Accredited online Homeschooling programs often issue high school diplomas after the completion of the required coursework. Forest Trail Academy offers two distinct diplomas: the College Prep Diploma and the General Ed Diploma to homeschooling kids.
How do you start home-schooling your child?
If you’re considering home-schooling your child, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the regulations of your state.
Homeschooling is legal in all fifty states of the United States. As the constitution states “Parents have a fundamental right to establish a home and bring up children according to family values”
Each state has its laws governing homeschooling and curriculum guidelines which must be followed stringently. In some states, parents need to hold a high school diploma or equivalent degree to homeschool their children. In some states, particular subjects are made mandatory to meet the state’s curriculum guidelines.
