Homeschooling
Resources
Curriculum
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Homeschooling, like anything else, can cost as much or as little as you want it to.
There are incredible curricula and accredited academies available with price tags that rival the finest private schools.
Fortunately, many free homeschool curriculum options offer online lessons and resources for families looking to educate their children.
In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the best free homeschool programs available and provide other valuable resources to help make your homeschool journey a success.
Let's dive in!
Benefits of Using Free Homeschool Curriculum
High Quality, Low Price Tag
Free homeschool programs offer many benefits for those looking to provide their children with quality education on a tight budget. While curriculum cost or private school tuition can add up quickly, free homeschool programs are an excellent way to save money while still giving your child a top-notch education.
Customization
Another major benefit of using a free homeschool curriculum is that parents can customize their child's education. With most free programs, you can choose from various topics and activities, so your child can learn in the way that works best for them. Additionally, many allow the learner to go at their own pace.
Homeschool parents also choose elective subjects best suited to their child's interests beyond the core subjects of math, science, and language arts.
Bonus Resources
Free homeschool programs also often provide excellent resources for families who may be new to homeschooling. Many of these programs include instructional guides, suggested lesson plans, and additional activities to help parents through the homeschooling process. Online and local support groups also benefit new homeschoolers and are easy to find and plug into.
Finally, many free and affordable homeschool curriculum options come with various topics and activities to keep your child engaged throughout their educational journey. These can range from local co-ops to unique electives like robotics. This is beneficial for both parents and students as it helps to ensure a well-rounded education.
8 Best Free Homeschool Programs
Free homeschool programs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it can be challenging to narrow down which ones are the best.
Fortunately, we have put together a list of eight top free homeschooling programs offering quality curricula for all grade levels from kindergarten through high school and beyond.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is one of the most well-known free homeschool programs and is an excellent resource for pre-K to college prep students.
Its extensive course offering provides students access to various topics, including the core subjects of math, science, language arts, and history, as well as advanced online courses like macroeconomics and AP Physics.
Khan Academy also offers parents a wide range of resources, such as lesson plans and instructional materials.
There's also a Khan Academy community forum where students and parents can search and post questions and topics regarding their homeschool experience. These posts remain archived for years and are searchable for the general public, although only members can comment and post.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool is a free Christian online curriculum for homeschoolers that provides an extensive range of activities and topics for children from pre-K through high school. It includes an extensive library of lessons, activities, projects, and language-learning courses.
Parents first choose their child's level - similar to grade level but can be different for each subject. Then, decide on a theme for the school year. Themes range from Geography & Cultures to Modern History.
Students receive assignments and printable worksheets for each lesson. Additionally, every 40 days, students get reminders to turn in projects so parents can maintain a portfolio record of their education.
Easy Peasy also offers various support groups for homeschool families and encourages its members to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Ambleside Online
Ambleside Online is one of the best free online homeschooling programs that uses the Charlotte Mason method. This method of homeschooling focuses on developing a child's character through nature studies, engaging literature, and creative arts. Charlotte Mason believed children should learn by direct contact with their environment instead of from textbooks or lecturers.
Ambleside Online provides parents with free homeschool curriculum for their children from kindergarten through 12th grade. The Ambleside Online website offers a comprehensive curriculum for each grade level, including over 140 classic books that parents can download for free. Parents are also provided with a detailed daily schedule and links to helpful resources, such as discussion forums, online textbooks, and audio lectures.
Besides the free curriculum, Ambleside Online also provides parents with expert advice on homeschooling their children. Parents can find information on finding local support groups, attending conferences and workshops, setting up a homeschooling workroom, and more.
If you're looking for a good free homeschool curriculum with great reviews from parents and a long-standing reputation for success, look no further than Ambleside Online. It's been a comprehensive and reliable resource for homeschooling families since 1999.
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Freedom Homeschooling
Freedom Homeschooling is a comprehensive collection of free homeschool curricula. Parents can browse all the subjects, programs, and activities for students of all ages. An enormous range of categories (from art to Bible studies to physical education) covers every interest imaginable.
The website is free access and easy to navigate. It groups courses by subject and labels them according to the type of content (E.g., Christian) and grade level. There's also a blog that offers significant insights into homeschooling for parents, whether they're newbies or homeschool pros.
cK12
cK12 offers a free educational experience for students from kindergarten to college prep. Additional resources complement the vast selection of courses, including a virtual tutor called "Flexi." Also, study guides, webinars, and simulations help students get the most out of cK12.
Another feature we love about this website is the accessibility it offers, with translation options in six different languages: Spanish, German, Chinese, Korean, Polish, and Greek.
Connections Academy
Connections Academy is a tuition-free online public school. This differs from homeschooling because it's accredited and aligned with your state's educational requirements. Your child will receive structured lessons, and Connections Academy will keep records and transcripts according to your state's laws.
In addition to core studies, students can opt into field trips and student clubs to enjoy socialization and extracurricular opportunities.
When it's time for advancement or graduation, your records and/or transcripts will be easily accessible as a downloadable file or printable document. College and career prep are also available for older students to ensure they're ready for the next steps in life.
Stride k12
Like Connections Academy, Stride k12 is an online, tuition-free, accredited public school curriculum. It's taught by certified teachers and designed for personalized learning that meets students right where they are. Additionally, there's ample support for parents and tons of resources, from FAQs to podcasts to webinars.
Stride k12 has it all - from kindergarten to high school, special education services and courses for advanced learners. This library has something for everyone, including career prep for older students.
edX
This one's different because it's only for the older students - high school and up. The coolest thing is edX courses don't stop at college prep! They continue through adult education with classes from some of the most prestigious universities in the country - for FREE!
Parents can take advantage of these too! Brush up on business skills, get a new certification to help land that promotion, or take a food & nutrition course with your teenager. The possibilities are endless, and that's one more fantastic lesson to teach your child!
How To Choose the Best Program for Your Family
When choosing a homeschool program, it's essential to consider the quality of the curriculum, the reputation of the program, and reviews from other parents.
That's why we compiled this list of the eight best free homeschool programs for you!
But there's still the task of choosing the right one for your family.
Check State Laws
The very first thing you must do before diving into homeschooling is to check your state laws to be sure you comply.
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a wonderful organization that offers membership for a very affordable fee ($12/month) and gives parents resources, including legal aid regarding homeschooling and access to attorneys.
Eliminate the Obvious
Once you're aware of the laws in your state, examine each homeschool program. If any just don't "feel" right, you can eliminate them immediately. The remaining options are the ones you need to look closer at.
Match Student Needs
See if the program provides robust lessons and materials that meet your student's educational needs.
Check what supplemental materials (if any) you'll need in addition to the program. These don't have to be purchased. They can include websites that offer lesson plans, educational videos, and other free materials.
Check Resources
What resources are available to support your student and you as a parent? For example, are there chat groups, co-ops, forums, or other ways homeschoolers using the program help each other? Or is it more independent?
Ultimately, when choosing a homeschooling program for your family, it's essential to do your research and find one that offers an excellent education while also meeting the needs of your budget. With some research and careful consideration, you can find the best homeschool program for your family.
Additional Homeschooling Resources
Libraries
One of the best supplemental free resources for homeschooling families is public libraries. Public libraries provide a wealth of excellent books, materials, and other educational resources that can help enhance children's learning and supplement their homeschooling curriculum. Books are an essential part of any education, and public libraries have an incredible selection of books with topics ranging from history to science and literature.
In addition to books, many public libraries also offer classes, workshops, and other activities that can help supplement a homeschooling program. These activities are often free or low-cost, making them an excellent resource for budget-conscious families.
Khan Academy
Public libraries may also have access to online resources such as databases and e-books, which can be great supplemental resources for homeschooling families.
Co-ops
Homeschool co-ops are another excellent resource for homeschoolers. Parents typically run co-ops and provide a variety of activities and classes for children.
Co-ops may offer field trips, science experiments, or art classes. These activities can help supplement a homeschooling program and provide an excellent way for children to learn in an engaging and interactive environment.
Online Resources
Finally, many amazing resources and online content are available as supplemental materials for homeschooling families. For example, many educational websites offer free printable worksheets (as a pdf download), lesson plans, activity ideas, and other materials that can help supplement a homeschooling program.
There are also streaming videos and educational games that can help to engage children in their learning.
Wrapping Up
Homeschooling is an excellent option for budget-conscious parents who want to provide their children with quality education. While plenty of free homeschooling programs are available, there are also plenty of other free resources and materials that can supplement the learning experience.
From public libraries and homeschool co-ops to online resources, there are various free or low-cost options available for families who want to homeschool on a budget.
With some research and creativity, parents can create an engaging and effective homeschooling experience for their children without breaking the bank.
