Should I pick an approach or a product first?
The biggest mistake beginners make is starting with curriculum shopping. There are thousands of products and no shortage of enthusiastic reviews for each one. Before you look at a single publisher, decide what kind of homeschooler you want to be.
Classical
Organized around the Trivium: Grammar stage (K to 6, memorization and foundations), Logic stage (7 to 9, reasoning and argumentation), and Rhetoric stage (10 to 12, expression and persuasion). It leans on great books, Latin, history read in order, and formal logic. Structured and rigorous, it fits families who value academic tradition. Popular curricula: Classical Conversations, Memoria Press, The Well-Trained Mind.
Charlotte Mason
Short lessons, living books (narrative histories and biographies instead of textbooks), nature study, and narration instead of written tests. It builds good habits and a love of learning. Gentle but thorough. Popular curricula: Ambleside Online (free), Simply Charlotte Mason, My Father's World.
Traditional / school-at-home
It copies a traditional classroom: textbooks, workbooks, scheduled subjects, and grades. Familiar and easy to explain to skeptical relatives. It can feel rigid if your child doesn't do well with that format. Popular curricula: Abeka, Bob Jones University Press, Sonlight.
Eclectic
Most homeschool families end up here. You pick the best from each approach: maybe classical math, Charlotte Mason nature study, and a traditional writing program. It takes more curation, but it fits the most children. Experienced homeschoolers tend to land here.
Unschooling
Child-led learning with no set curriculum. The child's interests drive everything. It works well for some families and children, and it asks a lot of parental trust and patience. It won't fit every child, every family, or every state's legal requirements.
Curriculum directory
Found your approach? See the curricula that fit it.
Filter the directory by method, subject, and grade, read parent reviews, or take the 2-minute quiz to get personalized picks.
Which subjects should I prioritize first?
You don't need a complete curriculum for every subject on day one. Most experienced homeschoolers recommend starting with the basics and adding more as you find your rhythm.
Math (highest priority)
Math is sequential, so gaps compound fast. Invest in a structured, consistent math program and stick with it. Switching math curricula mid-year is a common mistake that creates more gaps. Popular options: Math-U-See (manipulative-based, good for visual learners), Teaching Textbooks (mostly self-teaching, parent-friendly), Singapore Math (challenging, builds strong number sense), Saxon (repetitive and thorough).
Language arts
Covers reading, writing, grammar, spelling, and vocabulary. Some curricula bundle these; others sell them separately. For early readers, a structured phonics program (All About Reading, The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading) is worth the investment. For writing, IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) is widely respected.
History and science
More flexible. Many families cover these through library books, documentaries, and unit studies rather than packaged curricula. Reading history in order (as in the classical model) is a popular approach. Elementary science is mostly curiosity and observation; formal textbooks can wait.
Everything else
Art, music, PE, foreign language, logic: add these as you have room. Don't try to copy a full school schedule in year one. Focus on math and language arts, read a lot, go outside, and add subjects as you find your pace.
Are there free homeschool curricula worth using?
- Khan Academy: full math K to 12, SAT prep, science, and computing, all free.
- Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool: a full K to 8 curriculum, free and web-based.
- Ambleside Online: a free Charlotte Mason curriculum, K to 12, with book lists and schedules.
- CK-12: free, customizable textbooks for math and science, middle and high school.
- Librivox: free public-domain audiobooks, good for history and literature.
- Your public library: the most underused resource in homeschooling. Digital checkouts, interlibrary loans, and cards for multiple systems open up huge collections.
What advice would help me in my first year?
Buy less than you think you need
Most new homeschool parents over-buy. Get one math program and one language arts program, and use the library for everything else. If those work, add more next year. Budget $200 to $400 for year one "curriculum mistakes." They happen to almost everyone.
Request samples before buying
Most major curriculum publishers offer free samples. Download them and use them with your child before you buy. A curriculum your child hates is worth nothing, whatever its reviews.
Give it six weeks before deciding it isn't working
Every new curriculum takes adjustment. The first two weeks of anything feel hard. Don't drop a program because week one was rough. Give it six weeks, then assess whether the problem is the curriculum or the adjustment period.
Your first curriculum probably won't be your last
This is normal. Most families cycle through two or three curricula in the first three years before finding their fit. That cycling is how you learn what works for your specific child and teaching style.
"I spent $600 on a full boxed curriculum before we started. We used maybe 40% of it. Year two I bought used, bought less, and liked it much better."
Homeschool Fox parent, Tennessee