The Best Homeschool Math Curriculum: Free, Casual, Rigorous, and More

Free Math Curriculums

Homeschooling doesn’t have to break the bank, and there are several excellent free math curriculum options available online. These resources are ideal for families on a budget or those who want to supplement their main curriculum with extra practice. Many of these programs are comprehensive and offer high-quality content to help your child excel in math without any cost.

1. Khan Academy

Best For: Students of all ages who prefer video-based lessons and interactive exercises.

Overview: Khan Academy is a well-known and highly respected free online learning platform offering comprehensive math instruction from kindergarten through high school and beyond. The lessons are delivered via video tutorials, with accompanying practice exercises and quizzes. It’s a self-paced curriculum, making it ideal for independent learners.

Pros:

• Completely free and easily accessible online.
• Covers a wide range of math topics from basic arithmetic to calculus.
• Provides personalized learning paths and instant feedback.

Cons:

• Requires reliable internet access. This curriculum is 100% online, so it is not a great choice if you want to avoid screen time for school.
• Less hands-on compared to curricula that use manipulatives.

2. The Good and the Beautiful

Best For: Families looking for a less stressful, more enjoyable math experience with an emphasis on hands-on learning.

Overview: An aesthetically pleasing math curriculum that has its roots in classical and Charlotte Mason educational methods. Their K-8th grade math (and language arts) curriculum are free to download and print from their website.

Pros:

• Engaging and hands-on with activities, games, and manipulatives. Concepts become tangible for young learners.
• The curriculum is structured in a sequential manner, ensuring that each concept builds on the previous one.
• The materials feature colorful and engaging illustrations, which can make learning more appealing for young students.

Cons:

• It is a less rigorous math curriculum than many, not covering all topics covered in standard math curricula.
• There is not much emphasis on testing mastery. If you value test preparation or want to have a precise gauge on where your student is at, you will need to supplement.

3. Ambleside Online

Best For: Families using a Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschooling approach.

Overview: Ambleside Online is a free Charlotte Mason curriculum that offers a collection of recommended math resources and guidance for selecting math programs that fit within this educational philosophy. While it doesn’t provide a stand-alone math curriculum, it links to free materials and suggests a gentle, literature-based approach to teaching math.

Pros:

• Ideal for those already using the Charlotte Mason method.
• Emphasizes a gentle, natural approach to learning math.

Cons:

• Requires piecing together different resources.
• Not a structured, all-in-one math program.

Relaxed Math Curriculums

Maybe you are looking for a more structured curriculum, but still want to maintain a relaxed approach to learning math. Or, maybe your child doesn’t have any interest in pursuing math-intensive careers. These curriculums focus on real-world applications, storytelling, or independent learning, establishing math skills in an enjoyable manner.

1. Math-U-See

Best For: Hands-on learners who need a slower, mastery-based approach.

Overview: This is a hands-on program that uses manipulatives to teach math concepts. The mastery-based approach allows students to take their time and truly understand each concept before moving on. It is a video-based program.

Pros:

• Engages hands-on learners with visual aids.
• Allows for flexible pacing.
• Mastery-based learning prevents gaps in understanding.

Cons:

• Can be too slow for many learners.
• Requires parent involvement for facilitating lessons.

2. Life of Fred

Best For: Creative learners who prefer a narrative approach to math.

Overview: Life of Fred teaches math through stories, making it fun and relatable. This curriculum is perfect for casual learners who want to see how math applies to real-world situations but don’t need intense, rigorous training. I would not personally recommend it for junior high or high school students.

Pros:

• Engaging and fun storytelling format. Applies math to everyday life.
• Ideal for students who dislike traditional math methods.

Cons:

• Lacks depth for college-bound students.
• Limited practice and review of concepts. Very little review and mastery.

3. Teaching Textbooks

Best For: Independent learners who prefer a computer-based, interactive curriculum.

Overview: Teaching Textbooks is an easy-to-use, self-paced program delivered through interactive software. It provides step-by-step explanations and automatic grading, making it ideal for casual learners who want to work independently and enjoy interactive lessons.

Pros:

• Self-paced and independent learning.
• Interactive lessons with immediate feedback.
• Minimal parent involvement required.

Cons:

• Less depth compared to more rigorous programs.
• Limited hands-on activities or manipulatives.
• Students have the option to submit answers multiple times with the answer being recorded as correct.

4. CTC Math

Best For: Students who want to work at their own pace and enjoy a video-based curriculum.

Overview: CTC Math offers a wide range of topics, from basic arithmetic to advanced topics like calculus. Everything is self-paced, with lessons including a video portion alongside interactive practice.

Pros:

• Self-paced learning provides for flexibility based on students’ achievement.
• Platform to monitor your child’s progress, and automatic grading to save you time.
• Accessible anytime, anywhere at a very affordable pricing.

Cons:

• Lack of conceptual understanding: more focused on procedural skills/rote memorization.
• Limited advanced topics (high school particularly is lacking).

Rigorous Math Curriculums for Homeschoolers

These math programs emphasize strong problem-solving skills, rigorous academic standards, and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. They are especially ideal for students aiming for college or careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields.

1. Singapore Math

Best For: Advanced students with strong problem-solving skills.

Overview: Singapore Math focuses on developing critical thinking and analytical skills. It teaches students to approach math in a deeper, more conceptual way, which is ideal for building a strong foundation for college-level math. This curriculum covers fewer topics per year but explores them in much greater depth.

Pros:

• Strong focus on problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• Builds a solid foundation for advanced math and college readiness.
• Internationally respected and academically rigorous.

Cons:

• Challenging methodology.
• Requires active guidance.

2. Saxon Math

Best For: Families who want to ensure that math skills are built for long-term usage and don’t mind significant review.

Overview: Saxon Math constantly revisits previous concepts to reinforce understanding. This structure helps students retain information long-term and build strong mathematical skills that will be useful in college.

Pros:

• Emphasizes mastery through consistent review.
• Gradual, step-by-step approach to learning.
• Strong reputation for preparing students for college-level math.

Cons:

• Repetitive for some learners.
• Can feel slow-moving for advanced students.

3. RightStart Mathematics

Best For: Students who need to establish a strong conceptual foundation.

Overview: RightStart Mathematics focuses on hands-on learning with manipulatives and games. This curriculum helps students develop number sense, geometry skills, and mental math abilities, making it a good choice for preparing students for higher-level math.

Pros:

• Strong focus on visualization and understanding.
• Engages students through interactive learning.
• Prepares for advanced math, particularly in geometry and mental math.

Cons:

• Requires significant parent involvement.
• Can be time-consuming.

Which Homeschool Math Curriculum is Right for Your Family?

When selecting a math curriculum, it’s important to consider your child’s learning style and future goals. Of all the math curriculums I did, my preference was Saxon Math. Even though I shed many tears over it (especially Algebra 1), nothing else reinforced concepts like Saxon does with its spiral-approach review system. They are also uniquely set up for individual student success by providing the lesson numbers under each question so that if you forget a concept, you can easily go back to review. When I got to college, I was the only student in my class who remembered all the foundational math I had learned in my early years. It gave me a significant advantage in my math-based classes! Saxon is what I am planning to use with my children as well.

Don’t feel like you have to pick just one and run with it for the rest of your time as a homeschool family. Remember, you can always adjust or combine programs to best fit your child’s needs and ensure that they both enjoy learning and develop a strong mathematical foundation. And if one isn’t working after you give it a fair try, you can always switch!

Which homeschool math curriculum works best for your child? Share your experiences in the comments below, and let’s help other families find the perfect fit!