Curated guide

Best Homeschool History Curriculum

5 curricula in this guide

History can be the most engaging subject in a homeschool day — or the driest. The difference usually comes down to delivery. Literature-based history programs use living books and storytelling to make events come alive. Textbook-based programs offer thorough coverage and structure. Our top picks balance engagement with academic rigor across multiple worldviews.

Story of the World is a near-universal homeschool spine for ancient through modern history. Sonlight and BookShark wrap history in a full literature-based curriculum (Christian and secular respectively). Pick based on whether you want a standalone history program or an integrated multi-subject approach.

Editor's selection

Our picks

Story of the World

Well-Trained Mind Press

Featured

Narrative world history told chronologically across four volumes, designed for read-aloud family learning. The standard elementary history spine for classical and literature-based homeschoolers.

K–2 3–5 6–8

$20–$48

Sonlight

Sonlight Curriculum

Literature-based Christian curriculum built around parent-led read-alouds and high-quality living books. All-Subjects Packages provide a full year of instruction across multiple subjects.

PreK K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12

$250–$700/year

BookShark

Secular literature-based curriculum adapted from the Sonlight model. One of the few non-religious, book-rich options for families who love reading together.

K–2 3–5 6–8

$500–$1045/year

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Acellus Academy

International Academy of Science

Fully accredited online K-12 school with WASC accreditation, AP courses, NCAA-approved cores, and military Tier I status. Same video content as Power Homeschool but with diploma, transcripts, and teacher support.

K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12

$2000–$4500/year

Time4Learning

Secular self-paced PreK-12 full curriculum with animated lessons, automated grading, and recordkeeping. Most popular secular all-subjects digital subscription.

PreK K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12

$335–$479/year

Power Homeschool

International Academy of Science

Self-paced video curriculum sharing identical content with Acellus Academy but without enrollment, accreditation, or teacher support. Significant 2025 price increase from ~$31/mo to $99/mo.

PreK K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12

$948–$1188/year

BookShark

Secular literature-based curriculum adapted from the Sonlight model. One of the few non-religious, book-rich options for families who love reading together.

K–2 3–5 6–8

$500–$1045/year

Oak Meadow

Waldorf-inspired secular curriculum emphasizing creativity, nature, and hands-on learning. Offers both independent homeschool materials and an accredited distance-learning school option.

K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12

$120–$2500/year

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