Choosing a Curriculum

Now for the fun part — picking your curriculum! This is where your child’s learning style and your family’s preferences really come into play.

We’ve organized our recommendations into two categories:

Online & Virtual Curriculum →

Full programs your child completes on a computer or tablet. Great for self-paced learning, parents who work from home, or kids who respond well to interactive digital content.

Hands-On Curriculum →

Physical books, workbooks, manipulatives, and activities. Great for kinesthetic learners, younger kids, or families who prefer less screen time.

A Few Things to Keep In Mind

You can mix and match. Many families use an online program for math but hands-on materials for reading, or vice versa. There’s no rule that says you have to use one program for everything.

Start with one or two subjects. Don’t try to buy everything at once. Pick your core subjects (usually math and reading/language arts) and build from there.

Budget varies widely. Some excellent curricula are free or low-cost (The Good and the Beautiful offers free PDFs). Others are subscription-based. We’ll note pricing where we can.

Your first pick won’t be your last. Almost every homeschool family switches something in the first year or two. That’s normal and healthy — you’re learning what works for your specific child.