Curriculum review
Heart of Dakota
by Heart of Dakota · Est. 2003
About
What it is
Heart of Dakota is a Charlotte Mason-influenced Christian curriculum that provides detailed, screen-free daily plans across fourteen program levels spanning ages 2 through 18. Created by Carrie Austin over two decades of active development, the program integrates history, Bible, science, language arts, and enrichment subjects into thematic unit studies built around living books and hands-on activities.
Each day's plan is laid out in a structured guide that tells the parent exactly what to read, discuss, and assign. The level of detail is exceptional — parents open the guide and follow the plan with minimal preparation. Despite the thorough structure, the content itself breathes with Charlotte Mason warmth: narration, nature study, poetry, art appreciation, and short focused lessons keep the day from feeling industrial.
The program is intentionally screen-free. There are no videos, apps, or online components. Everything happens through physical books, hands-on projects, and face-to-face interaction between parent and child. This is a core philosophical commitment, not an oversight — Heart of Dakota families tend to value unplugged learning.
Economy packages range from $107 to $390 depending on level. Complete first-time packages that include all required books and materials run $500 to $1,500 or more for upper programs. The living books used in the curriculum are reusable, and a robust used-book market exists within the Heart of Dakota community.
Heart of Dakota is explicitly Christ-centered, with Bible study woven into every level. The Christian integration is gentle but pervasive. Secular families should look elsewhere. The program works especially well for families with children close in age, as adjacent levels share some read-alouds and history content.
Families who want digital delivery, independent study for older students, or a relaxed schedule with built-in flexibility will find Heart of Dakota too structured and print-dependent. But for screen-free Christian families who want Charlotte Mason richness with daily plans that remove the guesswork, it is one of the most thoughtfully designed options available.
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Common questions
Frequently asked
Is Heart of Dakota screen-free?
Yes. Heart of Dakota is intentionally screen-free with no videos, apps, or online components. All instruction happens through physical books, hands-on activities, and parent-child interaction.
How much does Heart of Dakota cost?
Economy packages range from $107 to $390. Complete first-time packages (including all required books) run $500 to $1,500 depending on the level. Living books are reusable across siblings, and an active used-book community helps reduce costs.
How many levels does Heart of Dakota have?
Heart of Dakota offers 14 program levels spanning ages 2 through 18. Levels are designed for developmental stages rather than strict grade assignments, and the publisher provides guidance on choosing the right level.
Can older students work independently?
Upper levels include more independent work, but the program is fundamentally parent-directed. Students are not designed to work entirely on their own, which can be challenging for families with many children or parents who work outside the home.
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