Step 3:
Find the Right Homeschool Curriculum
Choosing curriculum can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of programs, and every family in your homeschool group seems to recommend something different. The key is matching curriculum to your child's learning style, your family's educational philosophy, and the amount of time you want to spend teaching.
A few things to consider:
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How much structure do you want?
Some curricula are fully scripted and open-and-go (Abeka, The Good and the Beautiful). Others provide a framework but expect the parent to fill in the gaps (Ambleside Online, Build Your Library). A few are entirely self-teaching (Teaching Textbooks, Khan Academy).
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What's your budget?
Homeschool curriculum ranges from completely free (Khan Academy, Easy Peasy, Ambleside Online, MEP Math) to several hundred dollars per year (Sonlight, Oak Meadow). A lot of families spend between $200 and $600 per child per year, but you can absolutely homeschool well for less.
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Does religious orientation matter?
Some programs are explicitly Christian (Abeka, Sonlight, Apologia). Others are secular (BookShark, Real Science Odyssey, Beast Academy). And some are neutral, usable by any family (Singapore Math, Story of the World). Knowing your preference narrows the field quickly.
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What's your child's learning style?
Visual learners may thrive with video-based programs. Hands-on learners need manipulatives and experiments. Kids who love to read will take to literature-based approaches. Reluctant readers may need a different entry point.
We built a free tool to help you sort through all of this. Our Homeschool Curriculum Finder lets you compare 87+ curricula side by side, filtered by subject, philosophy, format, grade level, budget, and learning style.