Finding a good homeschooling program, especially a Christian one, can be overwhelming because of all the choices. If you homeschool, you know that the question of which curriculum is always on your mind. Every year, you plan, considering the best and most fitting sources of learning for your children. Or, maybe you are just starting out in your search for options for the 2023 school year because of the changes facing many school systems, both public and private. More families than ever are considering homeschooling this year as an option to public school amidst a pandemic.
Whether you are an experienced homeschooler who enjoys this part of homeschooling and hunting for the next best curriculum available within your budget and reach joining homeschool groups, and sell or buy online, gently used, or traded books, readers, manipulatives, and all things curriculum...or you feel overwhelmed with choosing the right one for your child, we are here to help! No matter what your level of homeschooling knowledge, the good news is that plenty of Christian faith-based homeschooling programs are offered online and by book.
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This list is meant to be more general than specific, so scroll down to find out more about the following categories as it pertains to curriculum:
- Best Homeschool Curriculum
- Most Inexpensive Curriculum
- Best Workbook-based Curriculum for Christian Families.
You may see some overlap, so take that as a bonus!
In no particular order:
Best Christian Homeschool Curriculums
1. Memoria Press offers a comprehensive and accessible classical Christian curriculum. They emphasize liberal arts and the great works of the Western tradition. Their selections encourage the development of wisdom and virtue by pursuing the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. Their motto is Saving Western Civilization One Student at a Time. They also have a private classical Christian school with three campuses and an online academy.
2. Classical Academic Press produces classical curricula and media with a clear design and structure and incremental and systematic instruction, all with a touch of delight, creativity, and flair. Learning should be fun and beautiful! Their motto, Classical Subjects Creatively Taught, describes the essence of all they offer (Latin, Logic, Writing and Rhetoric, Grammar, Greek, Spanish, Poetry, Literature Guides, and more).
3. Simply Charlotte Mason is an enjoyable feast of many subject areas. Utilizing the Charlotte Mason method, families can use their selections to teach the whole family with living books and their open-and-go daily plans. Homeschool families will find support by checking out their Learning Library articles and videos, encouraging discussion forums and live events, and helpful weekly blog articles and podcasts.
4. Apologia: Apologia is a Christ-centered, award-winning homeschool curriculum provider. Their mission is to help homeschooling students and families learn, live, and defend the Christian faith through print and digital curricula and online classes.
5. Beautiful Feet Books: Teacher Guides and Literature packs are strong here. They aim to help homeschool parents ignite wonder and connect with their kids through the best stories and guided lessons. To accomplish this vision, they create, develop, and publish Charlotte Mason-inspired history and literature curriculum and teacher's guides to help parents fulfill their desire to read the best books, foster a curiosity-driven learning environment, and develop deep relationships with their kids.
6. Master Books: Homeschool parents appreciate the affordability, flexibility, and practicality of Master Books. It offers a Charlotte Mason-inspired approach to learning with living lessons, captivating pictures, engaging stories, and assignments. Its mission is to increase the reader’s faith in God and the authority of His Word. They offer biblically-based apologetics and creation materials. They are workbook-based, but not too heavy on the busywork, which leaves ample time for exploring deeper while encouraging hands-on reinforcement activities. A very Biblically-based curriculum with an economical price tag (approximately $30 per subject for lower elementary) and a relaxed, fun pace. Books are identified by level, not grades, so you elect which level your child learner is at.
7. Abeka: This one is quite a rigorous approach to learning. It is accelerated at all levels. Cursive writing is a milestone in the K4 grade level. When you choose Abeka, you can count on proven, time-tested academic excellence along with a biblical worldview so your children can be fully prepared for the future. They offer textbooks, video lessons, teaching aids, and more. Abeka has been a well-respected and well-known Christian homeschooling curriculum program for over 30 years.
8. My Father's World: My Father's World Christian homeschool curriculum combines the best of Charlotte Mason's ideas, classical education, and unit studies with a biblical worldview and global focus. By always keeping God’s Word central, they partner with you to provide life-transforming academic excellence with a Christian worldview.
9. Heart of Dakota: Heart of Dakota publishes a Christian homeschool curriculum that is easy to use, flexible, educational, and can also be used with multiple ages simultaneously. They state, "Our desire is to help homeschool teachers have a successful experience from the very beginning while keeping God's Word at the heart of their children's academic training."
Most Inexpensive Christian Homeschool Curriculum
1. Easy Peasy: This curriculum offers materials for all grades (Pre-K to High School). It is free and online, or you can purchase the offline curriculum (workbook-based). This curriculum is said to be structured at an accelerated pace.
2. Christian Light: The math and language lessons are said to be top-notch, but some may find the reading solid but a bit dry. It is a workbook-based Christian curriculum that has worked very well for many families. The lessons are quick, easy to follow, and plenty of review sections that you can skip if you feel your child already has a good grasp of the material. It is a Mennonite curriculum, so some of the material might not address certain cultural themes; however, its simplicity is quite refreshing as opposed to the flashy color counterparts.
3. Gather ‘Round Homeschool: This one is all-inclusive (except math) for every grade level. It offers Charlotte Mason style unit studies and is beautifully presented. They offer free samples. It is an inexpensive Christian curriculum that presents a topic every month. The units cover Pre-K through 12 in all subjects except for math. Gather 'Round Homeschool is just the dream of a homeschool mom who wanted everything beautiful and cohesive and to teach all her kids together but needed the structure and solidity of engaging and challenging work that was tangible.
4. Lamp and Quill: Lamp & Quill develops and publishes Bible Studies and Devotional Bible Study material for all ages. These studies cover most books of the Bible over six years on a chapter-by-chapter basis, including threads and themes throughout. The focus is on learning to think about Scripture and getting to know the God of the Bible in a personal way as our Savior, our joy, our daily hope, and our hope for the future.
5. Rod and Staff: Built to the glory of God, Rod and Staff Publishers supplies Christian homes and schools with Bible-based textbooks and literature that impart truth and that in no way compromise the Word of God. They provide sound Gospel literature useful for instruction and guidance in Christian ideals. They provide food for the reading diet, not detracting from the Scriptures or supplanting them but reinforcing them with application. "Give attendance to reading" suggests that the mind should be constantly occupied profitably rather than idly. They regard this task seriously, believing that Christians should read literature that obligates the reader to the Lord.
6. Queen Homeschool Supplies: They have published award-winning books and curricula geared toward the Charlotte Mason style educator. Their products are geared toward the child, so there is no need for a teacher’s guide or manual. This allows both parent and child to develop interests outside of school time and have the time to pursue them with a love for learning.
7. Other inexpensive curriculum that has already been mentioned above are Master Books and My Father’s World.
Best Workbook-Based Homeschool Curriculum for Christian Families
The workbook-based curriculum is certainly not for every student learner. It is important to describe workbooks as learning materials in which students read and answer questions: fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, essay questions, matching, etc. While workbooks facilitate learning independently and can be utilized as travel companions and supplemental education, not all learners can adapt well to this style.
1. Landmark Freedom Baptist Curriculum: This one offers a full-line curriculum for preschool through 12th grade and an Academy service allowing homeschoolers to earn an official transcript and accredited diploma. They offer complete subject sets containing 36 weeks, plus weekly quizzes and answer keys. No need for lesson plans or teacher’s guides.
2. Math U See: Math-U-See is designed to teach students specific skills that build as the student progresses. This systematic and cumulative approach uses a definite, logical sequence of concept instruction. The Math-U-See system is structured with step-by-step procedures for introducing, reviewing, practicing, and mastering concepts. Each lesson uses multi-sensory tools, such as videos, manipulatives, and other resources, designed to appeal to any learner. With these resources, they can adapt to a variety of homeschool styles.
3. Bob Jones University Press: BJU Press publishes textbooks and video lessons. They’re committed to creating materials that help parents deliver an education that is based on sound educational principles, inspires joy in learning, and is rooted in a solid biblical worldview. As mastery and perspective increase, so does the desire to learn and create. As Proverbs 14:6 says, "Knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth."
4. Saxon Math: Saxon math, developed by John Saxon, is a teaching method for incremental mathematics learning. It involves teaching a new mathematical concept every day and constantly reviewing old concepts.
5. Accelerated Christian Education (ACE): A.C.E. has taken a conventionally styled textbook and divided it into bite-sized workbooks called PACEs (Packets of Accelerated Christian Education), full of self-instructional activities designed to develop thinking skills and create mastery learning. Accelerated Christian Education is a Bible-based, Christian K–12 curriculum consisting of reading programs, core curriculum, required electives, and additional instruction programs. Some courses are enhanced with CDs, DVDs, and computer software.
6. Other workbook-based curricula that have already been mentioned above are Master Books, Abeka, Rod and Staff, Easy Peasy, Queen Homeschool Supplies, and Christian Light.
As you set goals for your children’s education, keeping in mind their learning styles, weaknesses, and strengths, you will certainly find something fitting for your children. You may have a student at every level (lower elementary, upper elementary, middle school, and high school), so be very aware of their needs, what your budget allows, and what type of materials you will find most useful for each learner.
There are many more beyond this list, and your due diligence is required to find the right choice, but remain flexible as you may need to peruse several resources before you find the right fit for your family.
Erendira writes essays, fiction, poetry, and book reviews. She’s homeschooled her children for seven years. She lives in California. You can find her freelancing here or blogging here.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Annie Spratt
Erendira’s work has been featured in various publications. She writes fiction, essays, poetry, and book reviews. She is co-founder and editor of Burning Bush Press. You can find her at erortega.com.