At some point during your quest to figure out if homeschool was the right choice for your children, you probably typed the question, “what is the best homeschool curriculum” into Google. But as smart as Google may be, it cannot know the dynamics and nuances of your family. It doesn’t know why you’re looking into homeschool – if you have a child who struggles in math or spelling if you’re looking to incorporate a Biblical worldview into their education, if your family travels frequently for competitive soccer tournaments, or if one of your kids has an attention issue and could benefit from a more involved, one-on-one style of education. So, while there are lots of options when it comes to curriculum, there are really only a handful of homeschool styles to choose from. And choosing the right one for your family can be tricky.

We are Abeka, America’s leading faith-based curriculum for Pre-K through Grade 12. For more than 48 years, we’ve helped millions of students excel. Our materials are written by actual teachers and each one is tested in the classroom before being released. 

The proven approach our teachers use is spiral learning, which reinforces concepts all year long across all subjects. This not only sparks your child’s curiosity and helps them see the big picture, it also eliminates learning gaps and builds their confidence. We also help your child develop critical thinking skills resulting in well-reasoned judgments supported by biblical principles. 

With our faith-based lessons, your child will grow morally and spiritually as well as intellectually. And our lesson plans help you stay on track and provide everything from discussion questions to fun activities.

We’ve broken down our flexible and user-friendly homeschool curriculum options into four basic categories to help you navigate what’s out there to choose from.

School at Home, a Parent-Led Homeschool Approach

If you decide on a parent-led homeschool approach, you will be taking on the incredible role of “teacher” in your child’s life. If you’re brand new to homeschool, it can be overwhelming at first, but over time, you will find a comfortable routine. You’ll discover how to stay organized by using the tools that work best to fit your needs.

For example, some parents would prefer to have the lesson plans and teacher editions provided to keep them on track. Some like to have teaching aids to keep their kids engaged. Regardless of the additions to the basic textbooks and grading guides, a parent-led approach to homeschool is what most people think of when they hear the word “homeschool.” You will be investing time in planning, teaching, and grading, just like a teacher would. Only, you will be able to make your own schedule, avoid a commute, spend quality time with your children, and make your living room or your backyard into your classroom.

Video Lessons and Virtual Homeschool

Video lessons are great for many reasons. Single-subject videos work well if there are subjects you don’t feel the comfortable leading. For example,  if math is a weak spot for you, you can rely on virtual teachers to do the heavy lifting. But issues with single subjects are not the only reasons parents utilize video. It’s also becoming more and more popular to virtual homeschool for the entire year and for every subject.

Abeka Academy brings the expertise of real teachers into your home via video lessons. You simply follow the provided daily guide to prepare each day’s materials and then monitor your child to ensure they watch the lessons and complete the work. 

With Abeka Academy, you chose from the Accredited or Independent Study program (Unaccredited). Both programs are designed to be completed within 12 months. 

But with the accredited program, we validate your grading, send your official report cards and transcripts, and provide free standardized testing. Plus, when your child completes the twelfth grade, they’ll receive a diploma and can walk in our graduation ceremony. The accredited program includes books, 170 days of lessons, quizzes and tests, a video manual, official report cards and transcript, diploma, standardized testing, and a graduation ceremony.

For families who travel frequently – like missionaries, military families, or even just plain life-travel for baseball games or ballet – video lessons and virtual homeschool are life-savers. Some people call it “road schooling” because it can be done on DVD players or iPads in the car. In the Abeka curriculum, we offer an “independent study” path, where the timeline for completing coursework is not an issue for families who need extra flexibility. The Independent Study (Unaccredited) program comes with books, 170 days of lessons, quizzes and tests, and a video manual. 

The simplicity of having all the lessons pre-recorded, rewindable, and simply paused when a break is needed makes this style of homeschool even more flexible than usual. The teachers do all the work, and as the parent, your role is to make sure all the testing, quizzing, and preparation is getting done.

School at Home, a Parent-Led Homeschool Approach

If your child needs more one-on-one instruction and interaction, our parent-led approach may be the right choice for you. We support you with curriculum, lesson plans, and other helpful resources. 

If you decide on a parent-led homeschool approach, you will be taking on the incredible role of “teacher” in your child’s life. If you’re brand new to homeschool, it can be overwhelming at first, but over time, you will find a comfortable routine. You’ll discover how to stay organized by using the tools that work best to fit your needs.

For example, some parents would prefer to have the lesson plans and teacher editions provided to keep them on track. Some like to have teaching aids to keep their kids engaged. Regardless of the additions to the basic textbooks and grading guides, a parent-led approach to homeschool is what most people think of when they hear the word “homeschool.” You will be investing time in planning, teaching, and grading, just like a teacher would. Only, you will be able to make your own schedule, avoid a commute, spend quality time with your children, and make your living room or your backyard into your classroom.

Eclectic “Flexible” Homeschool

Eclectic means you get to hand-pick every piece of your children’s academics. By selecting each piece of curriculum carefully, you can customize their education to be exactly what you want it to be.

However, choosing each piece of curriculum is a challenge in itself, and it can prove to be overwhelming in comparison to an all-inclusive option like Abeka Academy or a parent-led kit. Some eclectic families mirror a traditional school year, and others choose to school year-round.  For example, homeschool mom Elizabeth Kidd selects each individual subject for her four children and tackles the year in a meticulous fashion. Her family does school year-round, focusing on science and social studies in the summer, with a heavier focus on language arts and math throughout the school year. And she uses different curriculums for math versus other subjects.

At Abeka, you can order your materials individually or in convenient kit options. There are child kits and parent kits for both single subject and full grade. When you order a full grade kit or the Abeka Academy option, you’ll have everything you need for the entire school year. Find ordering worksheets, a detailed online catalog, and other helpful tools on Abeka.com. Or, simply chat with or call an Abeka customer service representative who will help you make your order. 

You can also take advantage of our 10-month payment plan for any purchase over $350. We’re here to help, every stage, every smile.

Choosing a homeschool curriculum and style is a decision that affects your entire family. Start by thinking through your goals carefully. Write them out in list form, and consider why you’ve chosen to homeschool in the first place. Which of these methods sounds feasible for your family’s dynamic and lifestyle?  The Lord is faithful, and He will give you the wisdom to make the right choice. And remember, no matter which path you choose, you can always switch it up and try a different homeschool option to find the best homeschool style to suit your family’s needs.