How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum: A Guide for Parents
Choosing homeschool curriculum can feel overwhelming. With so many options available, how do you know which curriculum will be the right fit for your child and your family?
The good news is that you don’t have to find the “perfect” homeschool curriculum. You need to find a curriculum that fits your child’s needs, your family’s goals, your teaching style, and your budget.
Whether you’re new to homeschooling or looking for a better fit for the upcoming school year, this guide will walk you through the most important things to consider when choosing homeschool curriculum.
Start by Understanding Your Child’s Learning Needs
One of the best ways to choose the right homeschool curriculum is to become a student of your child.
Every child learns differently. Your child may thrive with hands-on activities, independent work, engaging stories, experiments, visual learning, or plenty of opportunities to ask questions and explore.
Consider your child’s:
- Academic strengths and areas where they need additional support
- Interests and natural curiosity
- Reading and comprehension level
- Ability to work independently
- Preferred ways of learning
- Attention span and developmental stage
- Motivation and confidence
You don’t need to completely customize your homeschool around your child’s every preference. Instead, use what you know about your child to help you identify curriculum that will encourage learning rather than create unnecessary frustration.
Not sure what kind of learner your student is? Take our free Learning Style Quiz!
Define Your Homeschool Goals
Before comparing curriculum options, think about what you want your homeschool to accomplish.
Your goals might include providing a strong academic foundation, cultivating a love of learning, preparing your child for college, spending more time together as a family, or giving your child the opportunity to explore areas of special interest.
For Christian families, your goals may also include teaching your children to view the world through the lens of Scripture and helping them develop a biblical worldview.
Knowing your goals makes it easier to evaluate curriculum. Instead of asking, “Is this a good curriculum?” ask, “Is this the right curriculum for our family’s goals?”
Consider Your Teaching Style and Schedule
The right curriculum isn’t just one that works for your child. It also needs to work for you.
Think about how much time you realistically have available for teaching and preparation.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want an open-and-go curriculum with lesson plans already prepared?
- How much teacher preparation am I comfortable doing?
- Do I enjoy teaching directly, or would my child benefit from more independent learning?
- How much flexibility do I need in our homeschool schedule?
- Am I homeschooling multiple children at different grade levels?
- Would online learning or live instruction be helpful for certain subjects?
A curriculum that looks great on paper may not be a good fit if it requires more preparation than your family can realistically manage.
Decide What Type of Homeschool Curriculum You Need
There isn’t one right way to homeschool, and there isn’t one right type of curriculum. As you research your options, you’ll find several different approaches.
Open-and-Go Curriculum
Open-and-go curriculum provides clear instructions and a planned sequence of lessons, making it easier to know what to teach each day. This can be especially helpful for busy parents or families new to homeschooling.
Textbook-Based Curriculum
Textbook-based curriculum provides a structured approach to learning and can be a good fit for families who appreciate a traditional format.
Online and Self-Paced Courses
Online courses can provide instruction, assignments, and assessments in a digital learning environment. Self-paced courses can be especially helpful for students who are ready to take more responsibility for their learning.
Live Online Classes
Live classes provide direct instruction from a teacher along with opportunities for students to interact with their teacher and classmates.
Hands-On Curriculum
Some subjects benefit from experiments, activities, projects, and other hands-on learning experiences. These resources can make abstract concepts more concrete and memorable.
Many homeschool families combine different approaches. You don’t have to use the same type of curriculum for every subject.
Evaluate What the Curriculum Includes
Once you’ve narrowed down the type of curriculum you’re looking for, take a closer look at what’s actually included.
Two curriculum programs may have similar prices but provide very different materials.
Before purchasing, consider:
- Does it include a teacher guide or lesson plans?
- Are student materials included?
- Are consumable materials required?
- Are tests and answer keys provided?
- Are hands-on activities or experiments included?
- Are digital resources available?
- Will you need to purchase additional books or supplies?
- How much preparation is required each day?
Understanding what’s included can help you compare the true cost and time commitment of different curriculum options.
Consider Your Budget
Homeschool curriculum costs can vary widely, so it’s helpful to establish a budget before you begin shopping.
When comparing prices, look beyond the initial purchase price. Consider the total cost of the materials you’ll need for the year.
You may also want to consider whether materials can be reused with younger siblings, whether digital resources are included, and whether you can purchase individual subjects separately.
Remember that the most expensive curriculum isn’t necessarily the best curriculum for your family. The goal is to find resources that provide the right combination of quality, support, flexibility, and value for your homeschool.
Research Homeschool Curriculum Options
Once you know what you’re looking for, start researching your options.
Ask other homeschool families about curriculum they’ve used. Visit homeschool conventions and curriculum fairs when possible. Read reviews, watch curriculum demonstrations, and look for opportunities to preview materials before purchasing.
As you research, remember that a curriculum that works wonderfully for one family may not be the right choice for another.
Look for reviews from families with children who are similar in age, learning needs, and homeschooling circumstances to your own.
And whenever possible, preview the actual curriculum. Look at a sample lesson. Read the teacher instructions. Examine the student materials. Think about how the curriculum would fit into a typical day in your homeschool.
Use This Homeschool Curriculum Checklist
Before choosing a curriculum, ask yourself these questions:
Does this curriculum fit my child’s academic level?
Does it support my child’s learning needs and interests?
Does it align with our homeschool goals?
Does it fit my teaching style?
How much preparation will it require?
Can my child work independently when appropriate?
What’s included in the curriculum?
What additional materials will I need?
Does it fit our homeschool budget?
Can I preview the curriculum before purchasing?
Does it reflect our family’s educational and worldview priorities?
You don’t have to find a curriculum that checks every box. Use these questions to identify the factors that matter most to your family.
Remember That You Can Change Course
Sometimes you choose a curriculum that seems like a great fit, only to discover that it isn’t working once you begin using it.
That’s okay.
If your child is consistently frustrated, you’re spending hours preparing lessons, or the curriculum simply isn’t meeting your family’s needs, take a step back and evaluate what’s happening.
Ask:
What is working?
Identify the parts of your homeschool that are going well.
What isn’t working?
Look for specific problems rather than assuming the entire curriculum is a failure.
What could we change?
You may be able to adjust your schedule, skip certain activities, supplement a lesson, or change how you use the curriculum.
Do we need something different?
Sometimes the best solution is to choose a different resource. Changing curriculum isn’t a failure. It’s part of learning what works best for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Homeschool Curriculum
How do I choose the right homeschool curriculum?
Start by considering your child’s academic level, learning needs, interests, and independence. Then consider your family’s homeschool goals, teaching style, schedule, budget, and educational priorities. Preview several curriculum options before making a decision.
What should I look for when choosing homeschool curriculum?
Look for curriculum that fits your child’s needs and your family’s goals while also providing the level of structure and teacher support you need. Consider what’s included, how much preparation is required, the total cost, and whether the curriculum aligns with your family’s educational priorities.
How much does homeschool curriculum cost?
The cost of homeschool curriculum varies depending on the grade level, subjects, curriculum format, and materials included. When comparing options, consider the total cost of the resources you’ll need rather than just the price of the primary curriculum.
When should I choose my homeschool curriculum?
Many families begin researching and purchasing curriculum several months before the new school year begins. Starting early gives you time to compare options, preview materials, take advantage of sales, and make adjustments before lessons begin.
Can I change homeschool curriculum during the school year?
Yes. If a curriculum isn’t meeting your family’s needs, you can make changes. You may be able to supplement the curriculum or adjust how you use it, or you may decide to switch to a different resource.
How do I choose curriculum for multiple children?
Start by considering the needs of each child. Some subjects may work well for combining multiple ages, while others may need to be taught separately. Look for curriculum options that give you flexibility and consider how much independent work each child can handle.
Find the Right Homeschool Curriculum for Your Family
Choosing homeschool curriculum is an important decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Start with your child. Think about your family’s goals. Consider how you want your homeschool days to look. Then research your options and look for curriculum that fits the needs you’ve identified.
And remember: you don’t have to get everything right on the first try.
Your homeschool will change as your children grow and your family’s needs change. Give yourself permission to learn, adjust, and find what works best for your family.
At Apologia, we’re passionate about helping families discover the joy of homeschooling with curriculum designed to help students explore, discover, and grow. Explore Apologia’s homeschool curriculum to find resources for your family’s homeschool journey.
