UPDATED 2026. It’s no surprise that there’s been a huge influx of inquiries on the homeschool groups as families weigh their schooling options for the fall. Quarantine and social distancing requirements have really thrown a monkey wrench into education planning, and I totally get it! As I field a lot of the same questions over and over, I thought it would make sense to write one thorough post including all of my favorite resources.
I share from a classical Christian perspective, though families not interested in the Classical Model could certainly pull from my favorite resources as well. In fact, I believe that a more diverse approach is more appropriate when students reach the high school years so they can pursue their personal interests. By then though, a solid classical foundation paves the way for lots of learning! A few of my favorite resources are secular (like math), but most are written with a Biblical worldview. It will be more difficult to use these resources if you’re looking for secular recommendations.
First things first, GO HERE if you’re new to the Classical Model to better understand my perspective. I also like the Charlotte Mason Method because of her wholistic approach of creating an educational atmosphere, the reliance on living books, and pursuit of nature studies. Below, I outline my favorite resources through the schooling years, but going HERE will also take you to all of my other more popular homeschool posts.
A few notes:
I am not personally a huge fan of boxed all-in-one or 100% online curriculums, which is why you will find a large range of different resources below. There’s nothing wrong with them at all, they are fantastic options. I simply prefer variety. If I were going to go that route though, and also considering a student’s learning needs, I’d be looking at Abeka, The Good and the Beautiful, Switched on Schoolhouse, Sonlight, Khan Academy, Memoria Press, Wilson Hill, or Liberty University. I don’t prefer individual online classes for younger students either (except as supplementary), but there are tons of great online classes and dual enrollment opportunities for high schoolers. Truly, the sky is the limit.
Teachers Pay Teachers has excellent supplemental resources for everything. Lots of free resources there, too.
Consider registering with Homeschool Buyers Club to get discounted prices on curriculum.
I love printing from Best Value Copy because they’re prices are so reasonable. Shipping is a little pricey, so I save up all my printing to do at one time before school begins.
There are an infinite number of ways to homeschool children. No one way is right or wrong. I prefer the Classical Model and the Charlotte Mason Method (especially for elementary and middle school years), but I take a more eclectic approach for high schoolers to maximize their interests. There are many, many more resources out there though, so keep digging if my suggestions don’t feel like right. You’ll find the resources to fit your family.
You’ll need to find out about the homeschool laws and requirements in your state and how to send homeschool notification. HSLDA has a great resource HERE. Also, I highly, highly recommend joining HSLDA because it’s the nation’s largest, most trusted homeschool advocacy organization. It’s good to know they have your back. You can also check into local organizations that support homeschoolers – one in our area that I like is Maryland Association of Christian Homeschoolers.
If you haven’t done so already, search on Facebook for local homeschool groups and opportunities. Search “homeschool” with your state, and then your county or surrounding counties. These groups are fantastic ways to find out about in-person co-ops, classes, and social gatherings in your area. It’s so much easier to connect with other homeschooling families nowadays and, in my opinion, absolutely essential! Being with other families who have a similar worldview gives you a “tribe” that’s really so important for parents and kids (especially as they get into the teen years).
Lastly, research local umbrella schools in your area to oversee your homeschool if your state allows that. They’re not necessary, but we’ve always used one and I much prefer it over being reviewed by the county. For simplicity’s sake, they’re kind of like private schools for homeschooling families, but they vary greatly in the services they offer and how they review families. My umbrella school (Churchville Christian School) uses a peer review system, so us moms review each other’s portfolios. I’ve always loved it because of the camaraderie and convenience factor, but also simply because it affords us privacy.
Participate in local activities with homeschoolers! We have taken advantage of so many different homeschooling opportunities over the years, but a few of our local favorites are FCA for sports, Harford Music & Arts for theater & choir, Indian Lake Christian Camp for homeschool days and archery, Beachmont for homeschool gym, and Ms. Nicole for art classes. Check your local resources – there is such a diverse set of offerings nowadays with many individual people sharing their talents to teach the next generation.
Take trips! The world is your classroom and one of the immense benefits of homeschooling is that your family can learn experientially! It’s one of our favorite things to do. Don’t limit yourself with super local opportunities either (although those are absolutely essential as well) – we’ve done all kinds of longer trips, including a visit to the Ark Encounter for their homeschool convention and a weekend trip to Columbia, SC.
I am a firm believer in reading great literature. Lots and lots of literature. It’s always been the backbone of my homeschool plans. For years, I read aloud to the kids every day. I miss those times greatly, but they’re all older now and we just don’t sit together as much anymore to read because we’re all doing our own separate activities and assignments. But as the kids get older, I do assign them individual readings from the reading lists below. We also take advantage of Audible when we’re in the car. I really enjoy the speed feature on the app because I can slow it down for my youngest son, who has several language diagnoses and processes a little slower.
We have participated with both CC and Claritas in a co-op communities, but their resources can be used at home also if you want to incorporate memory work into your homeschool. Read HERE why we left Classical Conversations, as well as a REVIEW of Claritas as an alternative.
Outschool (I don’t have personal experience with this site but it looks intriguing as it offers a large variety of one-time, short-term, and semester-long online, live classes for students age 3-18)
PRESCHOOL | Academics 30 minutes – 1 hour a day
I truly believe that the biggest goal in preschool and lower elementary grades is to simply instill a love of learning in children. To me, that means lots of reading, time in nature, discovery, and unstructured play. Joining a play group is also a a great idea for the social opportunities. Teaching our children to love learning gives them confidence to learn anything in the future. That ability to learn a new skill is absolutely priceless and will stick with them for the rest of their lives. Having said that, I also think preschool is a great time to prepare children for future formal learning, which is why I like to use a preschool curriculum to foster that discipline.
Grammar: First Language Lessons 1, 2, 3 (easier to get started) or Fundamental GrammarLevel 1 and 2 (better used in conjunction with Claritas memory work)
Math: Math Mammoth (workbook style, little teaching requirement but extremely thorough), Math U See (hands-on, multi-sensory), Xtramath website (free for drilling math facts)
History: Story of the World Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4 (there are also audio versions if you prefer to listen)
Grammar: FixIt Grammar, Fundamental Grammar and coordinating Claritas Cycle workbooks or First Language Lessons 3 and 4 (with coordinating Level 3 and 4 student workbooks) as well as Our Mother Tongue as a parent guide
Writing: Institute for Excellence in Writing Theme-Based Writing Level A (need student and teacher guide – there is a bit of a learning curve for parents, but I love this way of teaching writing)
While I am forever sold out to the classical model of education, I do believe that flexibility is important during the high school years. If students are interested in particular subjects, I think that should be embraced and every effort should be made to support their curiosities. There are so many great curriculum choices for high school with plenty of online options taught by experts in the subject. Although I am not personally a big fan of 100% online classes, they are a great option especially when we aren’t feeling super confident about teaching a particular class. There are also plenty of dual enrollment classes available online as well! Below are the resources I respect and/or have enjoyed.
Math: I outsource for high school math, as it’s not my strength. We tried Teaching Textbooks years ago with minimal success. It’s fine but not very rigorous and did not prepare my high schooler well at all. Other curriculums to consider are Derek Owens (rigorous), Mr. D Math (less rigorous but still thorough), CTC Math, A+ Interactive Math, Khan Academy, Shormann Math (aligned with SAT/ACT based on Saxon Math), and Consumer Math by Not Consumed. Denison Math is excellent for students who struggle with math (he also has “success” versions of most of his classes that are for students with special needs). Another parent recommended ALEKS, which is an adaptive learning program.
Fine Arts: Depending on your student’s interest, there are so many good options for this, it’s hard to know where to begin! I might consider classes from Udemy, Let’s Get Artsy or the watercolor version of Let’s Make Art subscriptions, because the kid’s version is so, so fun. Sounds of the Masters or private music lessons would also count, as well as drama, dance, graphic design, photography, cinema production … the possibilities are endless
Foreign Language: Private online tutors (there are plenty of options with live tutors), Westlake Chinese Academy (includes Chinese classes up to AP), DE classes
Dual Enrollment: Another thought to consider for high school is dual enrollment. It can be an excellent way to legitimize your student’s academic level for college applications (aside from just the SAT). Consider Liberty Online, other Christian colleges, Arizona State University, or dual enrollment opportunities at your local community college (which typically offer both in-person and online).
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