How to Choose the Best Homeschool Curriculum

Choosing homeschool curriculum can be one of the most exciting parts of homeschooling—and one of the most overwhelming.

There are textbooks and workbooks, online courses, video lessons, unit studies, literature-based programs, hands-on materials, and complete curriculum packages. Ask a group of homeschool parents which curriculum is best, and you may get a different answer from every person in the room!

There is a reason for that.

There is no single best homeschool curriculum for every child.

The goal is not to find the curriculum everyone else says is best. The goal is to find curriculum that fits your child, your family, your educational goals, and the way you homeschool.

Whether you're beginning your first homeschool year or realizing that your current curriculum is no longer working, this guide will help you evaluate your options and choose homeschool curriculum with confidence.

What Is Homeschool Curriculum?

Homeschool curriculum includes the materials and resources you use to teach your child.

That may include:

Textbooks and workbooks
Teacher guides
Literature and other books
Online courses
Video instruction
Hands-on activities and manipulatives
Science labs
Unit studies
Outside classes
Educational software and digital resources

Some families purchase a complete curriculum covering most or all subjects from one publisher. Others select a different curriculum for each subject. Many combine purchased curriculum with library books, field trips, hands-on projects, online resources, and real-world experiences.

Curriculum is a tool. It should serve the education of your child—not the other way around.

If you're homeschooling in South Carolina, you'll also want to understand which subjects you are required to teach. Read Does South Carolina Regulate Homeschool Curriculum? for more information about the legal requirements that apply to homeschool families.

How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum

Before opening a curriculum catalog or asking Facebook what everyone else uses, spend some time thinking about the people who will actually be using the curriculum: your child and you.

Here are seven questions that can help narrow your choices.

Step 1: Start With Your Child

Your child is the most important consideration when choosing homeschool curriculum.

Consider your child's:

Age and grade level
Academic strengths
Areas where additional help may be needed
Reading ability
Attention span
Interests
Independence
Learning preferences
Previous educational experiences

A child who loves reading and storytelling may respond differently to curriculum than a child who would rather build, experiment, move, or solve problems.

You also don't have to fit your child neatly into a particular category. Children can learn in many different ways, and their preferences can change depending on the subject and as they grow.

Our guide to Understanding Learning Styles can help you think more intentionally about how your child approaches learning without putting your child into a box.

Step 2: Consider Your Teaching Style

Your child's needs matter, but so do yours.

After all, you are the one who has to teach or facilitate the curriculum.

Ask yourself:

Do I enjoy teaching directly?
Do I prefer detailed instructions?
Would a scripted teacher guide make me feel more confident—or drive me crazy?
Do I enjoy finding books, projects, and supplemental resources?
How much preparation am I realistically willing to do?
Do I want my child to work independently for part of the day?
Am I comfortable teaching this particular subject?

A curriculum may receive wonderful reviews and still be a terrible fit for you.

The best curriculum is one that your child can learn from and that you can realistically use.

Step 3: Think About Your Homeschool Method

Families approach homeschooling in many different ways.

Some prefer a traditional approach that looks similar to a classroom. Others use classical education, Charlotte Mason methods, unit studies, online learning, unschooling, or a combination of several approaches.

You don't have to choose one philosophy and follow it perfectly.

In fact, many families eventually develop an eclectic approach, borrowing ideas from several homeschool methods to create something that fits their family.

If you're still discovering your approach, read our guide to Homeschool Methods before investing heavily in curriculum.

Step 4: Decide How Much Structure You Need

Some homeschool parents want curriculum that tells them exactly what to teach, when to teach it, and what to do next.

Others want as much freedom as possible.

Neither approach is better.

A complete, highly structured curriculum can be reassuring to a new homeschool parent because much of the planning has already been done. A more flexible curriculum allows you to adjust the pace, supplement material, follow your child's interests, or spend additional time where needed.

Ask yourself which statement sounds more like you:

"Please tell me what we're supposed to do on Tuesday."

"Please don't tell me what I have to do on Tuesday."

Your answer can eliminate a surprising number of curriculum choices.

Step 5: Consider Your Family's Schedule

Don't choose curriculum for the homeschool family you imagine you're supposed to have.

Choose it for the family you actually have.

Maybe you're homeschooling several children at different grade levels. Perhaps you work outside or inside the home. You may have a toddler underfoot, frequent medical appointments, extracurricular activities, or a teenager with a part-time job.

Consider how much time the curriculum requires from both the student and the parent.

For example, an academically excellent program requiring several hours of direct parent instruction every day may not be an excellent choice for a parent simultaneously teaching three other children.

Look for opportunities to combine children for subjects such as history, science, literature, Bible, art, or field trips when appropriate. Determine which students can work independently and which need more direct instruction.

Your homeschool curriculum needs to work in real life.

Step 6: Determine Your Homeschool Curriculum Budget

Homeschool curriculum can be very inexpensive—or represent a significant investment.

Before purchasing, consider the total cost rather than just the price of the main book or program.

You may also need:

Teacher guides
Student workbooks
Answer keys
Manipulatives
Science supplies
Literature
Online subscriptions
Printing
Outside classes
Shipping

If you have multiple children, also consider whether materials can be reused. A textbook you can pass down may cost more initially but less over several years. A consumable workbook or individual online license may have to be purchased again for every child.

You don't have to spend a fortune to provide an excellent education.

Used curriculum can make quality materials considerably more affordable. We've put together a guide to Finding Used Homeschool Curriculum in South Carolina to help you know where to look.

Step 7: Make Sure Your Curriculum Meets Your Requirements

Before purchasing curriculum, make sure your plan allows you to meet the requirements of the homeschool option under which you are registered.

South Carolina does not require every homeschool family to use the same curriculum, but state law establishes required areas of instruction, and the three legal homeschool options have different requirements.

Your association may also have additional guidelines.

For details, see Does South Carolina Regulate Homeschool Curriculum? and our complete guide to South Carolina Homeschool Laws.

If you're still deciding which legal option is right for your family, start with How to Choose the Best Homeschool Option in South Carolina.

Types of Homeschool Curriculum

As you begin comparing curriculum, you'll find that the materials themselves can be delivered in very different ways.

Understanding the major formats can help you narrow your search.

Textbook and Workbook Curriculum

Traditional textbook and workbook programs provide printed lessons, assignments, exercises, and assessments.

They can provide clear structure and make it relatively easy for parents and students to see what has been completed and what comes next.

Some children love that predictability. Others need more variety or hands-on learning.

Online Homeschool Curriculum

Online curriculum may provide lessons, assignments, grading, videos, interactive activities, or a combination of these features.

It can be particularly helpful for students who work independently or for parents who need additional instructional support.

Before choosing an online program, consider how much screen time you're comfortable with and how much direct parent involvement will still be necessary.

Video-Based Curriculum

Video instruction allows a student to watch another teacher present the material while the parent continues to oversee the student's education.

This can be especially useful for subjects a parent doesn't feel confident teaching or for older students ready for more independent coursework.

Literature-Based Curriculum

Literature-based programs use books—often biographies, historical fiction, classic literature, and other engaging works—as an important part of instruction.

Families with enthusiastic readers may particularly enjoy this approach.

Hands-On Curriculum

Hands-on curriculum emphasizes experiments, projects, manipulatives, activities, and learning by doing.

This approach can be particularly engaging for children who have difficulty learning from a textbook alone.

Remember to consider the preparation required. A science program filled with wonderful experiments isn't quite as wonderful if you discover at 9:00 Tuesday morning that today's lesson requires six supplies you don't own!

All-in-One Homeschool Curriculum

An all-in-one curriculum combines most or all subjects into a coordinated program.

For families who want a clear plan and don't want to select every subject separately, this can simplify getting started.

Individual Subject Curriculum

You can also choose curriculum one subject at a time.

Your child might use one publisher for math, another for science, an online program for foreign language, and a literature-based approach for history.

This requires more decision-making from the parent but allows you to customize your child's education subject by subject.

Should I Buy an All-in-One Homeschool Curriculum?

Maybe.

Complete curriculum packages can be wonderful for some families.

They may provide:

A clear sequence
Coordinated subjects
Lesson plans
Teacher materials
Less planning for the parent
Confidence that major academic areas are covered

But convenience can come with tradeoffs.

You may love the program's history but dislike its math. One child may need a different reading level. The schedule may move faster or slower than your student needs. Complete packages can also be more expensive than assembling curriculum yourself.

You are not required to find one company that does everything.

Some families appreciate the simplicity of an all-in-one program. Others discover that choosing individual subjects allows them to build an education much more closely suited to their child.

Both are legitimate ways to homeschool.

How Do I Know if a Homeschool Curriculum Is Good?

Don't evaluate curriculum solely by how popular it is.

Instead, ask whether it will actually help you teach the child sitting in front of you.

Before buying, consider:

Does the curriculum teach the subject thoroughly?
Is it appropriate for my child's current academic level?
Are the instructions understandable?
Does it provide enough practice without unnecessary busywork?
Is the workload reasonable?
How much parent preparation does it require?
Can my child use any of it independently?
Does it fit our educational goals?
Can I adjust the pace if necessary?
What additional materials will I need?
What is the total cost?
Can I preview sample lessons?
Can I realistically see us using this curriculum several months from now?

Reviews from other homeschool families can be helpful, but remember that another parent's glowing review tells you what worked for their family.

Your job is to decide whether it is likely to work for yours.

What if I Choose the Wrong Homeschool Curriculum?

First, don't panic.

Choosing a curriculum that doesn't work as expected does not mean you've failed at homeschooling.

It means you've learned something.

Before abandoning a curriculum, try to identify the problem.

Is it:

Too difficult?
Too easy?
Too repetitive?
Moving too quickly?
Moving too slowly?
Requiring too much preparation?
Expecting too much independent work?
Not providing enough instruction?
A poor fit for your child's learning preferences?
A poor fit for your teaching style?

Sometimes you don't need a new curriculum at all.

You may be able to slow down, skip unnecessary exercises, add hands-on activities, supplement a difficult concept, change the schedule, or use the curriculum differently than the publisher suggests.

Other times, changing curriculum really is the best decision.

Changing curriculum isn't failing at homeschooling. It is responding to what you have learned about your child.

One of the freedoms of homeschooling is the ability to make those adjustments.

Do I Need to Use the Same Curriculum for Every Child?

No.

This is one of the reasons there can never be one "best homeschool curriculum."

Children—even children in the same family—are different.

One child may thrive with a traditional math textbook while another needs manipulatives and direct instruction. One may devour literature while another benefits from audiobooks. Your oldest child may have loved the science curriculum your youngest absolutely dreads.

You don't have to force a curriculum to work simply because you already own it or because it worked beautifully with another child.

Homeschooling gives you the opportunity to respond to each child's strengths and needs.

Where Can I Buy Homeschool Curriculum?

Homeschool curriculum is available from many sources, including:

Curriculum publishers
Homeschool bookstores
Online retailers
Used curriculum stores
Homeschool conventions
Local homeschool groups
Curriculum sales and swaps
Other homeschool families

Before purchasing new materials, especially expensive programs, look for sample lessons and investigate return policies.

Used curriculum can also be an excellent way to experiment with a program without investing as much money upfront.

For South Carolina families, our guide to Finding Used Homeschool Curriculum in South Carolina includes ideas for locating affordable materials.

Can SCAIHS Help Me Choose Homeschool Curriculum?

Yes.

And you don't have to arrive at SCAIHS with every curriculum decision already made.

Choosing curriculum is one of the areas where personalized guidance can make an enormous difference.

SCAIHS counselors work with families to consider the whole picture: the student's academic needs, the parent's teaching preferences, the family's goals and circumstances, legal and SCAIHS requirements, and—particularly as students get older—future educational plans.

Sometimes you need help deciding between two programs.

Sometimes you don't even know where to begin.

Sometimes you've been homeschooling for years and suddenly discover that something that worked beautifully before isn't working anymore.

Those are all good reasons to talk with your counselor.

Our goal isn't to make every SCAIHS family homeschool the same way. It's to help families make thoughtful educational choices while giving parents the freedom to homeschool their children well.

Learn More About SCAIHS Membership

Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschool Curriculum

What is the best homeschool curriculum?

There is no single best homeschool curriculum for every family. The best choice is one that fits your child's academic needs and learning preferences, your teaching style, your schedule, your budget, and your educational goals.

How much does homeschool curriculum cost?

Costs vary considerably. Some families build an inexpensive curriculum using reusable books, library resources, used materials, and free resources. Others purchase complete programs, online subscriptions, or outside courses. Consider the total cost of books, teacher materials, consumables, supplies, subscriptions, and other required resources before purchasing.

Do I need to buy a complete homeschool curriculum?

No. You can purchase an all-in-one curriculum or select individual curriculum for each subject.

Can I use different curriculum for different subjects?

Yes. Many homeschool families mix curriculum from several publishers or teaching approaches to create a program suited to their child.

Can I change homeschool curriculum during the school year?

Yes. Before changing, identify why the curriculum isn't working and determine whether adjusting it might solve the problem. If it remains a poor fit, changing curriculum can be an appropriate choice.

Can I reuse homeschool curriculum with another child?

Often, yes, but it depends on the material. Textbooks and teacher guides are frequently reusable. Consumable workbooks generally are not, and online programs may require a separate subscription or license for each student.

Does South Carolina require a specific homeschool curriculum?

South Carolina establishes required areas of instruction, but homeschool requirements differ depending on which of the state's three legal homeschool options you use. Read Does South Carolina Regulate Homeschool Curriculum? for a fuller explanation.

Choose Homeschool Curriculum With Confidence

Choosing curriculum can feel like an enormous responsibility, especially when you're new to homeschooling.

But you aren't making one decision that determines the rest of your child's education.

You're choosing the next tool.

Start with the child God has given you. Consider your family's needs, your educational goals, your available resources, and the way you want your homeschool to function. Make the best decision you can with the information you have.

Then pay attention.

Keep what works. Adjust what doesn't. Ask for help when you need it.

The freedom to respond to your child's needs is one of homeschooling's greatest gifts.

And if you'd like someone to walk alongside you as you make those decisions, SCAIHS is here to help.