The Best Homeschool Math Curriculum: Tips for Choosing
reviewed by Jo-ann Caballes
Updated on April 17, 2025
Choosing the best math homeschool curriculum is a time-consuming task. I want to save you time with it. So, I gathered tips on how to find the perfect match and 11 platforms that are worth trying.
Key Points:
- Singapore Math, Saxon Math, Art of Problem Solving (AoPS), and Horizons Math suit those who are looking for a structured, spiral approach.
- RightStart Math, VideoText Math, and Math-U-See visualize even the most complicated math aspects in simple terms.
- Life of Fred and Beast Academy are fun, story-based curricula that make math study sessions more similar to a comic reading.
- Khan Academy gives students free study materials to learn on their own
- Brighterly combines the benefits of all platforms while making 1-on-1 tutoring flexible to the needs of each student and providing free materials for additional study.
11 best homeschool math curriculum for struggling students
- Brighterly
- Singapore Math
- RightStart Math
- Life of Fred
- Beast Academy
- Math-U-See
- Horizons Math
- VideoText Math
- Saxon Math
- The Art of Problem Solving (AoPS)
- KhanAcademy
Best math programs for elementary and middle school students: Details
Brighterly online homeschool math curriculum
Best for: Students in grades 1-9 for learning math
Brighterly is a tutoring platform aimed at elementary and middle school students to help them foster deep math knowledge.
Brighterly’s educational platform: Benefits
Expert tutors
At Brighterly, we’re all about making math exciting! Whether you are looking for math tutors for elementary or older kids up to 9th grade, our experienced Brighterly math tutors ensure effective learning, covering everything from basic arithmetic to the wonders of algebra and geometry.
Math tutors for middle school students from Brighterly make study sessions interesting, so your child will look forward to further study sessions, as they will know that their next lesson will be fun and teach them something new.
Don’t just take our word for it. See the real reviews from parents and students on our Brighterly reviews page.
Personalized lessons
Brighterly math program is aligned with the Common Core standards, ensuring study sessions are enjoyable and tailored to their specific grade requirements.
You can also download Brighterly math worksheets to practice with your child between study sessions.
Free extra resources
To make education continuous, the Brighterly math tutoring platform provides free resources. Each article here has fun and free math tests to check your progress.
You can also download free math worksheets and print them to study between lessons.
Is Brighterly a good homeschool math curriculum?
Yes, they have a great curriculum that you can tailor to meet your child’s needs, whether they are an advanced or a struggling student. It has great ratings on review sites such as Trustpilot and threads on Reddit. To save you time, I’ve gathered what people typically say about this elementary, algebra, and geometry curriculum homeschool.
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Brighterly math tutors are engaging and make learning accessible. ~Mojgan Manafi |
There were audio issues 2 times in a row ~ Jose C. Martinez |
Brighterly is a super flexible, affordable, and supportive service. ~ Emma Furman |
This company responded to me and gave me a refund, which is good. But I was worried because it took a few days. ~ Christina Powell |
Brighterly’s teachers are very supportive and understanding, and you can reschedule your classes if you need. It’s a very immaculate feature and a different mechanic from other tutoring websites. ~ Nadie Que Recordarás |
Brighterly homeschool math program: Lesson prices
Brighterly affordable price starts from $19.5 per 1-on-1 lesson. We offer personalized tutoring by using the Common Core math homeschool curriculum for elementary and middle school students.
What you’ll pay depends on the chosen study plan, as membership ranges from $124 to $298.
Singapore online homeschool math curriculum
Best for: Students in grade K-8 and their parents
This fun homeschool math curriculum uses a creative approach to make math more entertaining. Instead of sole memorization, your child will solve tricky yet fun real-life problems.
Singapore Math for elementary schoolers: Features
- Highlights a step-by-step educational approach.
- Uses a concrete–pictorial–abstract (CPA) approach to build a strong conceptual understanding.
- Reinforces one topic at a time, helping you to lower overload.
Singapore Math: Pricing
This platform has various math curriculum homeschool options for any child. There is no “predetermined” curriculum cost. Meanwhile, the price for each book ranges from $15 to $30.
You can also buy their books in a bundle to save some money, as here, the price starts at $60 for 3+ books.
Singapore Math: Pros and cons
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Deep focus on basic concepts | It can be challenging for parents unfamiliar with Singapore’s method |
Available in textbooks, worksheets, and parental instructions | It isn’t suitable for those who are looking for text prep |
RightStart homeschool math program
Best for: K-8 grade kids looking for friendly worksheets
This math homeschool curriculum is aimed at making math visual. They understand that many students may have reading problems, which is why they made all their exercises dyslexia- and dyscalculia-friendly.
RightStart Math for elementary schoolers: Features
- Visualise every aspect of the math
- The spiral learning approach revisits topics multiple times
- This service has detailed homeschool math guides for family members
RightStart Math: Pricing
Prices for the math bundle that includes a book and multiple worksheets vary from $97.50 to $326.
If you want homeschool math curriculum online tutoring from the certified RightMath tutors, you can purchase their $540 subscription, where you’ll get 2 group study sessions per week from September to May.
RightStart Math: Pros and cons
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
The curriculum includes the AL Abacus to engage the children’s sense of sight and touch. | This homeschool math curriculum requires significant parental involvement |
All math concepts have a visual explanation | Considering all extra options, it’s a pretty expensive choice |
Life of Fred online homeschool math curriculum
Best for: Students who thrive with narrative-based learning
Life of Fred engages elementary students with story-based learning that simplifies complex concepts narratively. Adding this platform to your children’s education is an excellent idea since it is full of entertaining yet teaching stories where the main character, Fred, explains different life and math concepts.
Life of Fred for elementary schoolers: Features
- Make math more contextual
- Slowly introduce advanced concepts
- Focuses on slow understanding through story-driven problems
Life of Fred: Pricing
The Life of Fred elementary and middle school series is sold as books, each costing approximately $19. This math curriculum for struggling learners covers various topics from addition to fractions.
Life of Fred: Pros and cons
Perks |
Flaws |
The study materials focus on a particular concept, like addition, subtraction, etc. | Some kids may not process the narrative style studies. |
Those books share math stories on Fred’s behalf, teaching with fun. | The curriculum’s unique progression may require adjustments for students transitioning from other programs. |
Beast Academy homeschool math program
Best for: K-12 students who are looking for interactive math learning
Beast Academy provides an elementary math curriculum that helps kids see mathematics as a fascinating and engaging field from a young age.
Beast Academy elementary math curriculum: Features
- Integrates challenging math concepts within entertaining stories.
- Online and print materials for students and their parents
- Focuses on developing critical thinking through thought-provoking problems.
Beast Academy: Pricing
A monthly subscription starts from $16 per student. You can subscribe for a yearly plan for $100 or get a Bundle with BA workbooks for $160/year.
If you want a tutor’s help, subscribe to their online course that will cost you $51/week, where you can get one 105-minute lesson per week or two 55-minute lessons per week.
Beast Academy: Pros and cons
Benefits |
Drawbacks |
Beast Academy uses comic books as a teaching tool | This is not the easiest homeschool curriculum |
Fosters a deep understanding of math concepts | Time-consuming study sessions. |
Math-U-See easiest homeschool curriculum
Best for: K–12 students who want to gain a deep understanding through a multisensory approach
This multi-leveled curriculum helps your kids master all math topics, from simple elementary additions to complex algebra and calculus. This platform states that math isn’t an abstract subject, but more like a way to describe any tangible process. That’s why they visualize their problems to make each topic more down-to-earth.
Math-U-See top math homeschool curriculum: Features
- They use manipulatives to represent concepts.
- Step-by-step video lessons that gently guide students.
- The mastery approach is where students fully grasp a concept before switching to the next step.
Math-U-See: Pricing
A basic free account will give you access to the first three lessons of each level. If you have purchased a Digital Pack or teacher license, you’ll have access to all lessons for the purchased level. Unfortunately, they don’t list their prices publicly, as it depends on the chosen homeschool math curriculum.
Math-U-See: Pros and cons
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
Video lessons, textbooks, and online resources. | Some users find such online homeschool math programs monotonous. |
Visual aids make abstract concepts tangible | Its gentle pace may look bland for progressive learners. |
Horizons Math homeschool curriculum
Best for: K-8 students looking for a structured learning approach
It is listed as one of the best online math curriculum for homeschoolers due to its spiral approach that helps kids not just learn theories but also implement their knowledge in real life.
Features of the Horizons Math curriculum for homeschooling
- Slowly introduces new concepts.
- Includes colorful workbooks with dozens of lessons.
- Provides a comprehensive guide for parents with daily lesson plans and answer keys.
Horizons Math: Pricing
They don’t post prices on their website, so you need to contact them to get precise pricing for your case. However, you can buy Horizons math worksheets on Amazon and other marketplaces. In those cases, the price for a book set varies from $95 to $425.
Horizons Math: Pros and cons
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
It has vivid and well-organized manuals. | The curriculum’s fast-paced nature may be challenging for students. |
The curriculum helps your child understand basic math concepts. | Some parents have noted that Horizons Math is more advanced than other curricula |
Homeschool math curriculum for high school
VideoText math curriculum for homeschooling
Best for: High school students who benefit from visual learning
Unlike traditional textbooks, VideoText homeschool high school math curriculum uses video lessons to break down complex topics into chunks. It correlates with the current tastes of your child. Any Gen Alpha or Gen Z student would prefer to watch videos rather than read even the most fascinating curriculum.
Features of the VideoText
- In-depth math instructions.
- Designed to replace traditional textbooks with multimedia learning.
- Comes with worktexts and solution manuals.
VideoText: Pricing
Each module costs around $299–$529 (including videos, digital workbooks, and instructor materials). They offer various module plans, but their price drastically varies.
VideoText: Pros and cons
Perks |
Weaknesses |
Self-paced structure, where students can work at their own speed. | The program focuses heavily on abstract reasoning, which may be overwhelming for students who prefer hands-on or contextual learning. |
Instead of rote memorization, students may see several steps to solve a problem with VideoText Math. | No built-in gamified elements or interactive features. |
Saxon Math homeschool curriculum
Best for: K-12 students who want to build a strong mathematical foundation through consistent practice
Saxon Math is a systematic approach to education, starting with the most fundamental concepts and building up to advanced ones. It is known as one of the best homeschool math curriculum for elementary and middle school students due to its spiral learning approach, which is the belief that kids should revisit all concepts multiple times to fully understand them.
Saxon Math homeschool curriculum: Benefits
- Concepts are introduced gradually to ensure mastery before progressing.
- Regular practice problems revisit past topics, reinforcing retention and understanding.
- Frequent assessments evaluate new and old material comprehension.
Saxon Math: Pricing
Saxon Math materials vary in price depending on grade level and components.
- Elementary Levels (K-4): Complete kits, including teacher’s manuals, student workbooks, and manipulatives, range from $100 to $200.
- Intermediate Levels (5-8): Sets comprising teacher’s editions, student books, and tests typically cost between $150 and $250.
- High School Levels: Comprehensive packages, including textbooks, tests, and solutions, range from $200 to $400.
Saxon Math: Pros and cons
Benefits |
Drawbacks |
Students regularly take internal assessments and examinations to determine their improvement areas | It can seem monotonous for some students |
Before moving to the next topic, students need to demonstrate they understand the current one | Daily lessons with a multitude of practice problems may look overwhelming and time-consuming. |
AoPS online homeschool math curriculum
Best for: Students in 5-12 grade who want to teach advanced math
The main target audience of this service is students who want to study more advanced concepts than their classmates. And AoPS can provide your child with this through books and different courses.
Features of the AoPS math curriculum for homeschooling
- Students at AoPS repeat the same topic with different problems until they fully grasp the logic behind it.
- The curriculum utilizes Alcumus to challenge students’ mathematical abilities.
- AoPS is a big community where students can ask others for help.
AoPS: Pricing
Tuition costs vary depending on the specific course and its duration. For example, semester-long campus-based classes range from $650 to $900, excluding textbooks. If you want a curriculum-based study process, you’ll pay $60 for each curriculum.
Their online courses start from $50/week, and the exact price varies depending on the course and your needs.
AoPS: Pros and cons
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
They use math worksheet activities, movies, textbooks, and online resources | Tuition costs are relatively high |
It aids students in getting ready for standardized tests like the SAT | The rigorous nature of the courses may not suit all students |
KhanAcademy homeschool math program
Best for: Students in kindergarten through 12th grade seeking a free, self-paced online platform
Khan Academy is an educational platform that is available across the world. It offers proven homeschool math curriculum programs for high schoolers.
Features of Khan Academy online homeschool math curriculum
- Comprehensive subject coverage allows kids to find interconnections among different studies.
- Self-paced learning allows students to learn at their own pace.
- Interactive exercises after each lesson to test knowledge and reinforce learning.
KhanAcademy: Pricing
Khan Academy is completely free. There is no cost associated with registration, access, or taking the lessons. The non-profit organization operates through donations.
KhanAcademy: Pros and cons
Benefits |
Drawbacks |
Free math curricula, where kids may prepare for various tests with instructional videos | This platform lacks advanced courses |
Kids can learn mathematics, physics, history, economics, etc. | Some courses may be too basic or lack detailed explanations |
Best online math curriculum for homeschoolers: Advice for choosing
- Look for comprehensive programs with process tracking
- Ensure that the online math curriculum for homeschool complies with your state’s educational standards.
- Choose platforms that help your kid seal knowledge gaps.
- Discover online homeschool math programs with interactive elements.
No matter what platform you choose, it should show kids how math can benefit them in daily situations. Brian Galvin, Chief Academic Officer for Varsity Tutors, emphasizes the approach of “daily situations” and the importance of interactive learning techniques in math education:
“One of my favorite math teaching techniques is 'connect the dots.”
A proper homeschool math curriculum for struggling students should be engaging yet fit grade standards. It should allow students to progress at their own pace to understand each math concept deeply. Every kid learns uniquely, so choosing the TOP homeschool math curriculum isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation.
Homeschool math for struggling learners vs Traditional classroom
Aspect |
Homeschool math for struggling learners |
Traditional classroom |
Learning pace | Flexible pace tailored to the child’s needs. | Fixed pace for all students |
Individual attention | Homeschool online math curriculum fits the needs of an individual student | Even private schools have at least 7-8 students in a class, while average public school classes have at least 15-20 students |
Curriculum choice | Customized to students’ knowledge gaps and learning preferences | Predefined curriculum with little to no flexibility |
Assessment | Flexible, as here a child and tutor focus on progress, not grades | Standardized grading systems and tests to quickly examine the approximate knowledge of large groups |
Social interaction | Limited due to individual nature | Regular interaction with peers |
How to choose a homeschool math curriculum? 8 proven tips
- Determine the learning format
- Understand the child’s learning style
- Assess the kid’s educational needs
- Evaluate educational programs
- Seek parental advice
- Check curriculum flexibility
- Set a budget
- Try trials of different forms
Determine the learning format
Find out which learning format your child likes. If your child likes YouTube and TikTok, you may look for a homeschool math video curriculum that leverages the power of visuals to teach your child. If they like playing online, you may implement math games in your gaming sessions.
Understand the child’s learning style
It’s essential to understand your kid’s preferred learning style. The best math curriculum for homeschool will always suit the preferred learning style. There are 4 main styles, and your child has at least one of them:
- Visual Learners: Learn best through images, charts, and videos.
- Auditory Learners: Retain information by listening and discussing.
- Kinesthetic Learners: Learn through hands-on activities and movement.
- Logical Learners: Thrive on problem-solving and patterns.
Observe how your child naturally processes information to identify their style. Leverage your child’s unique learning habits to choose the best homeschool math curriculum.
Assess the kid’s educational needs
The best math curriculum fits the current educational needs of your child. Some of them need to focus on how to divide, while others look at how to solve quadratic equations. Meanwhile, the third group of students may need to prepare for standardized tests like the SAT.
Naturally, a 3rd grade math homeschool curriculum will differ from the study program of their 5th grade friend. Also, I encourage you to use placement tests if the chosen platforms provide them. These are easy math problems that will help a tutor determine a student’s current math level.
Evaluate educational programs
Review different educational platforms to determine the current state of the educational market and get curricula, resources, and classes. It helps you to decide which tutor you need for your child. Use these 4 parameters to evaluate homeschool math programs:
- Confirm that the program has clear learning goals.
- Look for a platform that provides deep knowledge and aligns with your needs.
- Your future online homeschool math curriculum should be interesting for students.
- Make sure your child can modify the pacing and structure to fit their needs.
Try as many services as you want using their trials or first free lessons. That’s a great way to find the best homeschool math curriculum for struggling students.
Seek parental advice
To choose the best math curriculum, ask for advice from parents with a similar background. Explore online communities and social media groups dedicated to homeschooling. Parents there often share detailed homeschool math curriculum reviews, tips, and personal experiences.
When seeking advice, explain your child’s specific needs — whether they struggle with math, thrive on visual learning, or need a slower-paced program. If you are looking for the best homeschool math curriculum for ADHD, the traditional programs may not perfectly fit your situation.
Check curriculum flexibility
When evaluating programs, check the curriculum’s flexibility to ensure it meets your child’s needs. Make sure that you can modify the study plan, so you can spend more time on improvement areas. Some platforms also allow you to mix components, letting you focus on specific areas of difficulty while skipping content your child has already mastered.
Set a budget
Setting a budget for homeschooling is a vital step to ensure that this approach aligns with your needs and your family budget. Determine how much you can spend on extra education, including the study sessions and supplementary resources like manipulatives, books, online subscriptions, or educational apps.
Try trials of different platforms
If the platform allows you to test it with no strings attached, do it. Trials allow you to determine whether the chosen service fits your child’s needs, while you don’t pay a penny for it.
For instance, Brighterly provides the first free lesson, which will benefit you and us as the platform. During the first math class, we examine your child’s knowledge gaps and determine their current needs. It helps us develop the best homeschool math program for your child.
Benefits of the right homeschool math curriculum
Personalized lesson plans
Homeschooling should be adaptable. Online math classes can accommodate students’ needs by providing personalized lesson plans, age-appropriate resources (such as a 3rd grade math curriculum homeschool plan), and instructional videos.
Teachers in traditional classes often design their classes with the average student’s level of expertise in mind. On the other hand, online classes allow students to customize their math homeschool curriculum to meet their specific needs.
No external interruptions
Bullying and unhealthy competition among students can distract kids. Although an online math curriculum homeschool may lack social interactions, you can ensure no external interruptions in the learning process.
Various helpful Internet resources
Kids struggling with math might gain a lot from the various helpful Internet resources and their paid or free math homeschool curriculum. In addition to what they learn online, your child can continuously have access to e-books and YouTube movies.
For instance, you can use Brighterly free worksheets or online platforms like Khan Academy for additional practice.
What is the best homeschool curriculum for elementary students?
For elementary students, the top homeschool math curricula are:
- Brighterly: Offers personalized 1-on-1 lessons tailored to each child’s needs
- Singapore Math: Focuses on problem-solving and conceptual understanding through a structured approach
- RightStart Math: Emphasizes hands-on learning with manipulatives to build a strong mathematical foundation
- Math-U-See: Utilizes a mastery-based approach with visual aids to ensure comprehensive understanding
- Beast Academy: Provides an engaging, comic-style curriculum designed to challenge and inspire young learners
Each first grade math curriculum homeschool offers unique strengths to cater to the diverse learning styles of the youngest students.
What is the best homeschool math curriculum for middle school?
If you need to choose the best homeschool math curriculum for middle school, look no further than:
- Brighterly, with their personalized 1-on-1 online lessons and free extra materials
- Math-U-See uses a visual approach to enhance understanding
- Saxon Math emphasizes incremental learning
- The Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is a rigorous curriculum that challenges students
- Khan Academy has free and comprehensive courses
You need to choose the best math curriculum for middle school based on your child’s needs. What fits advanced learners may not fit slow learners who require additional repetitions and visualizations.
What is the best high school math curriculum for homeschool?
For high school students, top homeschool math curricula include:
- Saxon Math, with its incremental learning
- VideoText with their comprehensive video-based instructions
- The Art of Problem Solving (AoPS), with their rigorous curriculum
- Math-U-See, with its visual approach
Where can I find a top rated homeschool math curriculum?
Finding a top-rated homeschool math curriculum involves consulting reputable review platforms and educational communities. Websites like Trustpilot and Reddit offer real user reviews and discussions that provide insights into various programs.
For instance, Beast Academy is noted for its engaging comic-style lessons that enhance number sense. Meanwhile, Brighterly is often noted as one of the best platforms for neurodivergent kids.
To assist in your decision-making, I compiled a comparative table highlighting key features and user ratings of popular homeschool math curricula.
Trustpilot Score |
|
Brighterly math homeschool curriculum |
4.7 |
Singapore Math |
No reviews |
RightStart |
Isn’t listed |
Life of Fred |
Isn’t listed |
Beast Academy |
3.7 |
Math-U-See |
No reviews |
Horizons Math |
Isn’t listed |
VideoText Math |
Isn’t listed |
Saxon Math |
Isn’t listed |
The Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) |
3.4 |
KhanAcademy |
3.7 |
What is the best homeschool math curriculum for your child? Conclusion
I know that you are still asking yourself, “So, what is the best homeschool math curriculum?”. That’s why I gathered a quick review of all the options. Many kids need a simple visualization along the way, and RightStart Math, Math-U-See, and Brighterly can give it to you.
Prefer a structured approach that sticks to the schedule? Try Saxon Math, Singapore Math. Horizons Math and Brighterly are known for their spiraling approach, where kids repeat the topic until they master it. No matter the number of attempts, the main goal is to master the concepts.
If you need story-based learning, Life of Fred and Beast Academy are a great solution for your family. They are more like “comics of the tutoring world”. Here, students read fun stories and solve math problems along the way.
People who are looking for a free option should try Khan Academy, which is the best choice if you just want to review some theory for free. It doesn’t have extra tests or fancy features, but it provides you with solid theory.
Does your kid want to learn more advanced concepts than their peers? Take a closer look at The Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) and VideoText Math. Meanwhile, if you are looking for personalized tutoring sessions that you can tailor to the child’s needs, Brighterly Math’s tutoring platform is the best choice.