Curriculum review
Sonlight
by Sonlight Curriculum · Est. 1990
About
What it is
Sonlight is a literature-based homeschool curriculum that puts read-alouds and living books at the center of learning. Founded in 1990 by John and Sarita Holzmann, the program delivers history, Bible, language arts, and science through carefully curated book lists rather than textbooks, making it one of the most well-established literature-based options in the Christian homeschool market.
The core of each Sonlight program is the History / Bible / Literature (HBL) package, which provides a year-long spine of historical fiction, biographies, reference books, and Bible study organized into daily lesson plans. The Instructor's Guide is the parent's road map — it tells you exactly what to read each day, what discussion questions to ask, and what activities to assign. Families often gather on the couch for read-alouds, making Sonlight a distinctly relational curriculum.
All-Subjects Packages run approximately $700 per student per year and include the HBL core plus science, language arts, and readers. Individual HBL cores range from $250 to $400. Payment plans are available for orders of $799 or more, and Sonlight maintains a strong used-book community where families resell packages at reduced prices.
Sonlight covers PreK through 12th grade with a rotating four-year history cycle at the elementary level, transitioning to dedicated high school programs. The curriculum is Christian but globally minded — students read about cultures, missions, and world history from a faith perspective without insularity.
Families who thrive with Sonlight are typically those who enjoy reading together and value discussion-based learning. The program requires significant parent involvement for read-alouds, especially in the younger years. Independent learners and families who prefer hands-off instruction should look elsewhere.
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Common questions
Frequently asked
What grade levels does Sonlight cover?
Sonlight covers PreK through 12th grade. Elementary levels use a rotating four-year history cycle, while high school programs are structured for transcript-ready coursework.
How much does Sonlight cost per year?
All-Subjects Packages run approximately $700 per student per year. Individual History / Bible / Literature cores range from $250 to $400. Payment plans are available for orders of $799 or more.
Is Sonlight good for independent learners?
Sonlight is designed as a parent-led, read-aloud curriculum, especially in the elementary years. It requires significant parent involvement and is not ideal for families seeking independent study.
Can I use Sonlight with multiple children?
Yes. The HBL cores are designed for family-style learning where multiple ages listen together. Language arts, math, and readers are purchased separately per student. Many families resell packages through the active used-book community.
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