The full catalog

How challenging4.0Low prep8.0 Compare

2Rank

Beast Academy

Art of Problem Solving · Traditional

7.9/10Strong fit

A comic-based, deeply challenging math program that emphasizes problem-solving.

Grades1–5Cost~$15–120/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewSecular

Heads up: Genuinely hard — a poor fit for struggling math students.

Research-based · publisher facts + 12 parent themes

How challenging10.0Low prep6.0 Compare

3Rank

Math Mammoth

Math Mammoth · Traditional

7.9/10Strong fit

A thorough, affordable, mastery-based math program that leans on clear written explanations.

Grades1–7Cost~$37–175/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewSecular

Heads up: Text-heavy — light on hands-on manipulatives.

Research-based · publisher facts + 9 parent themes

How challenging8.0Low prep8.0 Compare

4Rank

Writing With Ease

Well-Trained Mind Press · Classical

7.9/10Strong fit

Classical, incremental writing via copywork, narration, and dictation.

Grades1–4Cost~$40/yrApproachClassicalWorldviewSecular

Research-based · publisher facts + 2 parent themes

GradesK–12Cost~$40–130/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewChristian

5Rank

Apologia

Apologia · Traditional

7.8/10Strong fit

Rigorous, faith-integrated (young-earth) Christian science, strong at the upper levels.

Heads up: Young-earth creation worldview; text-heavy.

Research-based · publisher facts + 12 parent themes

Mystery Science · Self-paced

6Rank

Mystery Science

7.8/10Strong fit

Secular, video-led elementary science with low-prep hands-on activities.

GradesK–5Cost~$100/yrApproachSelf-pacedWorldviewSecular

Research-based · publisher facts + 7 parent themes

Grades1–12Cost~$60–160/yrApproachUnit studyWorldviewChristian

7Rank

Notgrass History

Notgrass · Unit study

7.7/10Strong fit

Engaging, faith-integrated, mostly-independent history combined with literature and Bible.

Heads up: Christian worldview throughout; combines history/Bible/English.

How challenging6.0Low prep8.0 Compare

8Rank

The Good and the Beautiful

The Good and the Beautiful · Charlotte Mason

7.7/10Strong fit

A beautiful, faith-based, literature-rich, open-and-go curriculum (language arts PDFs are free).

GradesPreK–8CostFreeApproachCharlotte MasonWorldviewChristian

Heads up: Math is gentle — not for families wanting advanced or rigorous math.

Research-based · publisher facts + 13 parent themes

Pandia Press · Traditional

9Rank

History Quest

7.7/10Strong fit

Secular, story-based elementary history from the makers of Real Science Odyssey.

Grades1–5Cost~$50/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewSecular

Research-based · publisher facts + 4 parent themes

How challenging4.0Low prep8.0 Compare

10Rank

Saxon Math

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt · Traditional

7.6/10Strong fit

A rigorous, incremental, spiral program with heavy review and a strong track record.

GradesK–12Cost~$30–130/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewSecular

Heads up: Repetitive and can feel dry; early grades are teacher-intensive.

Research-based · publisher facts + 13 parent themes

All About Learning Press · Structured literacy

11Rank

All About Spelling

7.6/10Strong fit

Multisensory, rules-based spelling from the All About Reading publisher.

Grades1–8Cost~$60/yrApproachStructured literacyWorldviewSecular

Research-based · publisher facts + 7 parent themes

Build Your Library · Charlotte Mason

12Rank

Build Your Library

7.6/10Strong fit

Secular, literature-rich Charlotte Mason-inspired all-in-one.

GradesK–12Cost~$100/yrApproachCharlotte MasonWorldviewSecular

Research-based · publisher facts + 4 parent themes

Demme Learning · Traditional

13Rank

Math-U-See

GradesK–12Cost~$43–145/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewSecular

A manipulative-based, mastery approach that teaches one concept at a time with video instruction.

Heads up: Mastery sequence means topics like fractions come later than in other programs.

Research-based · publisher facts + 12 parent themes

Simply Charlotte Mason · Charlotte Mason

14Rank

Simply Charlotte Mason

GradesK–12Cost~$15–150/yrApproachCharlotte MasonWorldviewChristian

An authentic, gentle Charlotte Mason approach with living books and short lessons.

Heads up: Requires gathering living books; parent-guided.

Veritas Press · Classical

15Rank

Veritas Press

GradesK–12Cost~$50–350/yrApproachClassicalWorldviewChristian

Classical Christian curriculum known for strong history and self-paced online courses.

Heads up: Online courses are pricey; history is memory-work heavy.

Well-Trained Mind Press · Traditional

16Rank

Math with Confidence

GradesK–6Cost~$40/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewSecular

Scripted, gentle elementary math balancing conceptual and procedural skills.

Research-based · publisher facts + 9 parent themes

GradesK–12Cost~$40–500/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewChristian

17Rank

BJU Press

BJU Press · Traditional

7.3/10Good fit

Strong, traditional Christian academics with engaging content and excellent video/online options.

Heads up: Teacher-intensive without the video/online subscriptions.

A Beka Book · Traditional

18Rank

Abeka

7.2/10Good fit

A rigorous, traditional, openly Christian textbook curriculum with optional video instruction.

GradesK–12Cost~$40–450/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewChristian

Heads up: Heavy on memorization and busywork; very textbook-driven.

Curiosity Chronicles · Traditional

19Rank

Curiosity Chronicles

7.2/10Good fit

Conversational, secular world history with low prep.

Grades1–6Cost~$40/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewSecular

Nessy Learning · Structured literacy

20Rank

Nessy Reading & Spelling

7.2/10Good fit

Gamified, self-paced structured literacy designed around dyslexia.

GradesK–6Cost~$100/yrApproachStructured literacyWorldviewSecular

Master Books · Traditional

21Rank

Master Books

GradesK–12Cost~$30–200/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewChristian

Affordable, faith-integrated (young-earth), open-and-go Christian curriculum.

Heads up: Young-earth creation worldview throughout; academics (esp. math) are gentle.

How challenging6.0Low prep8.0 Compare

22Rank

Reading Eggs

Blake eLearning · Self-paced

GradesPreK–6Cost~$4–120/yrApproachSelf-pacedWorldviewSecular

A gamified online program for early reading practice.

Heads up: A supplement for many families, not a complete reading core.

Research-based · publisher facts + 8 parent themes

Time4Learning · Self-paced

23Rank

Time4Learning

GradesPreK–12Cost~$20–35/yrApproachSelf-pacedWorldviewSecular

A flexible, online, automatically graded all-in-one curriculum.

Heads up: Not rigorous or advanced enough to be the sole curriculum for some families.

Research-based · publisher facts + 8 parent themes

Pandia Press · Traditional

24Rank

Real Science Odyssey

GradesK–8Cost~$80/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewSecular

Secular, hands-on science with a clear evidence-based approach.

EPS / School Specialty · Structured literacy

25Rank

Explode the Code

6.9/10Good fit

Classic phonics-only workbook series for systematic decoding practice.

GradesK–4Cost~$60/yrApproachStructured literacyWorldviewSecular

How challenging4.0Low prep8.0 Compare

26Rank

Elemental Science

Elemental Science · Classical

6.7/10Good fit

Classical, secular science following the four-year rotation.

GradesK–8Cost~$60/yrApproachClassicalWorldviewSecular

Research-based · publisher facts + 4 parent themes

Hooked on Phonics · Self-paced

27Rank

Hooked on Phonics

6.5/10Good fit

App- and workbook-based early phonics with a gamified path.

GradesK–2Cost~$60/yrApproachSelf-pacedWorldviewSecular

Jossey-Bass · Structured literacy

28Rank

Phonics Pathways

6.5/10Good fit

Single-book, open-and-go phonics for teaching decoding step by step.

GradesK–3Cost~$30/yrApproachStructured literacyWorldviewSecular

Polka Dot Publishing · Traditional

29Rank

Life of Fred

6.3/10Good fit

Story-based math told through the adventures of a character named Fred.

Grades1–12Cost~$80/yrApproachTraditionalWorldviewSecular