The Best Homeschool Math Curriculum: Top Programs & Tips for Choosing

All Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Struggling Students
Table of Contents

Choosing the best math homeschool curriculum is a time-consuming task. I want to save you time with it. Here, 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 are the best homeschool math programs for those 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, making 1-on-1 tutoring flexible to each student’s needs and providing free materials for additional study.
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11 best homeschool math curriculum for struggling students

Best math programs for elementary and middle school students: Quick overview

Name

Free options

Price

Focus

Brighterly

– 1st free lesson

– Free worksheets

– Free tests

From $17.3/lesson Math, reading, and ELA (1-9 grades)
Singapore Math

– Free worksheets

– Free tests

$14 math sprints and $120 math programs Math teaching approach
RightStart – Free teacher support on follow-up questions $12-$200+ each learning material Math learning program
Life of Fred – Free sample lessons $19 for each book Math printed books
Beast Academy

– Free worksheets

– Free tests

From $100/year Advanced math learning platform
Math-U-See

– Free 3 lessons

– Free worksheets

From $165 for the full set Math curriculum with different formats of materials
Horizons Math – Free placement tests $120-$260 per grade Math homeschool books

Brighterly online homeschool math curriculum 

Best for: Students in grades 1-9 for learning math and reading

On the Brighterly math and reading platform, elementary and middle school students can get private teachers to learn math, improve their grades, and boost their skills.

Brighterly online homeschool math curriculum 

Brighterly’s educational platform: Benefits

Expert math tutors

Brighterly tutors are experienced in teaching kids math effectively and with fun. Based on parents’ reviews, they frequently succeed at making studying interesting, so kids genuinely look forward to the next math learning session.

Brighterly's educational platform: Benefits

Personalized lessons

Brighterly homeschool math help is aligned with the US state standards, yet adjusted to the pace and needs of your child. With this supplemental homeschool math curriculum, kids receive a highly personalized, interactive learning experience that entertains them and leads to better test scores.

Free extra resources

For more dedicated practice on the specific problem areas and math facts, Brighterly shares plenty of math worksheets for free. Parents can access, print, and use them for homeschool practice or as supporting material.

Brighterly's educational platform: Benefits

Moreover, this top rated homeschool math curriculum allows you to use free math tests to check a kid’s progress according to the skill set sufficient for a specific grade.

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 lesson plans

  • Learning Membership 1-month plan: From $20.7 per lesson. 
  • Learning Membership 3-month plan: From $20.2 per lesson. 
  • Learning Membership 6-month plan: From $19.4 per lesson.
  • Learning Membership 12-month plan: From $17.3 per lesson.

Brighterly lesson plans

*The Brighterly math class cost varies, as the cost above is considered for 3 classes/week.

Singapore online homeschool math curriculum

Best for: Students in grades Pre-K-8 and their parents

Singapore fun homeschool math curriculum uses a creative approach to make math more entertaining. Instead of sole memorization that is common in traditional classrooms, your child will solve tricky yet fun real-world problems.

Singapore online homeschool math curriculum

Singapore Math for elementary schoolers: Features

  • Highlights a step-by-step mastery approach 
  • Uses a concrete-pictorial-abstract (CPA) method for a strong conceptual understanding
  • Reinforces one topic at a time with lower overload

Singapore Math: Pricing

Math curriculum homeschool books from Singapore Math cost $14 or more. However, there is no “predetermined” curriculum cost. 

You can also buy their books in a set to save some money and get a grade-specific set with teacher guides starting from $120.

Singapore Math: Pricing

Singapore Math: Pros and cons

Advantages

Disadvantages

Deep focus on basic concepts Can be challenging for parents unfamiliar with Singapore’s method
Available in textbooks, worksheets, and parental instructions Not suitable for test prep

While prices for the Singapore Math generally seem more affordable, please keep in mind that they are listed only for book sets and won’t include live support or feedback.

RightStart homeschool math program

Best for: K-8 grade kids looking for friendly worksheets

RightStart is one of the homeschool math programs for struggling students that is aimed at making math visual. Their books are suitable for students with dyslexia and dyscalculia.

RightStart homeschool math program

RightStart Math: Features

  • Every math aspect is visualized
  • The spiral learning approach revisits topics multiple times
  • This service has detailed homeschool math guides for family members

RightStart Math: Pricing

RightStart prices for the math bundle that includes a book and multiple worksheets vary from $97.50 to $326.

RightStart Math: Pricing

RightStart Math: Pros and cons

Advantages

Disadvantages

Friendly to children with reading problems Needs parental control
High level of visualization for each math concept Can be expensive compared to other options

Life of Fred

Best for: Students looking for a systematic math learning curriculum

Life of Fred is one of the best homeschool math programs for elementary students. Featuring Fred, the main character in their textbooks, it helps build core math knowledge through friendly explanations of different life and math concepts.

Life of Fred

Life of Fred 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: Pricing

Life of Fred: Pros and cons

Perks

Flaws

Focus on a particular concept, like addition, subtraction, etc. Narrative-style studies are not for everyone.
Math stories are shared on Fred’s behalf for fun 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 elementary homeschool math curriculum comparisons that help kids see mathematics as a fascinating and engaging field from a young age.

Beast Academy homeschool math program

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 to 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 $53/week, where you can get one 105-minute lesson per week or two 55-minute lessons per week.

Beast Academy: Pricing

Beast Academy: Pros and cons

Benefits

Drawbacks

Comics books as a teaching tool Not the easiest homeschool curriculum
Fosters a deep understanding of math concepts Time-consuming study sessions

Math-U-See 

Best for: K–12 students who want to gain a deep understanding through a multisensory approach

Math-U-See multi-leveled curriculum helps your kids master all math topics, from simple elementary additions to complex algebra and calculus. Believing that math is rather a tangible process than an abstract subject, the platform visualizes its problems to make each topic more down-to-earth.

Math-U-See 

Math-U-See top math homeschool curriculum: Features

  • Manipulatives used to represent concepts
  • Step-by-step video lessons that gently guide students
  • The mastery approach to grasp a concept before switching to the next step

Math-U-See: Pricing

A basic Math-U-See free account will give you access to the first three lessons of each level. For study materials, you can buy either separate workbooks or a complete set starting from $165.50.

Math-U-See: Pricing

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

Listed as one of the best online math curriculum for homeschool students, Homeschool offers a spiral approach that helps kids not just learn theories but also implement their knowledge in real life.

Horizons Math homeschool curriculum  

Features of the Horizons Math

  • 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

Horizon Math doesn’t post prices on the website, so you need to contact them to get precise pricing for your case. However, you can buy Horizons math worksheets on other marketplaces for around $120 to $260 for a grade materials set.

Horizons Math: Pricing

Horizons Math: Pros and cons

Advantages

Disadvantages

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: Comparison

Name

Options for free

Focus

VideoText Practices and guides Math
Saxon Math Placement tests Step-by-step learning method
AoPS Videos and sessions Advanced math courses
KhanAcademy Quizzes, tests, and mastery challenges 40+ subjects

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.

VideoText math curriculum for homeschooling

Features of the VideoText

  • In-depth math instructions
  • Replaces traditional textbooks with multimedia learning
  • Comes with worktexts and solution manuals

VideoText: Pricing

Each module for high schoolers costs around $235–$450 (including videos, digital workbooks, and instructor materials). They offer various module plans, but their price drastically varies.

VideoText: Pricing

VideoText: Pros and cons

Perks

Weaknesses

Self-paced to work at your own speed Heavy focus on abstract reasoning, which may be overwhelming for students who prefer hands-on or contextual learning
Problem-solving approach instead of rote memorization No built-in gamified elements or interactive features

Saxon Math homeschool curriculum

Best for: K-12 students searching for a resource for consistent practice

Saxon Math helps kids advance in math from foundations to more advanced concepts. This best homeschool math curriculum for elementary and middle school students applies a spiral learning approach where kids are encouraged to revisit all concepts multiple times to fully understand them.

Saxon Math homeschool curriculum

Saxon Math homeschool curriculum: Benefits 

  • Gradual introduction of concepts to reach mastery
  • Regular practice problems
  • Frequent evaluations to cement comprehension

Saxon Math: Pricing

The exact Saxon Math pricing steadily increases with a grade level:

  • Elementary (K-4): $150-$300
  • Intermediate (5-8): $260-$290
  • High School: $300+

By purchasing a package, you usually get teacher’s manuals, student workbooks, and tests.

Saxon Math: Pricing

Saxon Math: Pros and cons

Benefits

Drawbacks

Regular tests to check progress May seem monotonous
The next topic becomes open after understanding the previous one

Practice problems are not the best learning approach for everyone

AoPS online homeschool math curriculum  

Best for: advanced math students from grades 5-12

Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is a platform for advanced students to provide detailed books and video materials to deepen their math knowledge.

AoPS online homeschool math curriculum  

Features of the AoPS

  • The topic is practiced from different problem angles to get a full grasp of it
  • Challenging Alcumus curriculum designed by former Olympians
  • A big community of math professionals where students can ask others for help

AoPS: Pricing

Tuition costs vary depending on the specific course and its duration. Usually, the courses cost around $400-$850, with packages that go with or without books.

AoPS: Pricing

Their online courses start at $30/week, and the exact price varies by course and your needs.

AoPS: Pros and cons

Strengths

Weaknesses

Wide range of activities Costs can go high
Standardized test prep Courses may be too rigorous for some students

KhanAcademy 

Best for: Students in kindergarten through 12th grade seeking a free, self-paced online platform

Khan Academy is a global educational platform, offering proven free homeschool math curriculum for struggling students of all ages.

KhanAcademy  

Features of KhanAcademy online homeschool math curriculum

  • Comprehensive subject coverage to find interconnections among different studies
  • Self-paced learning method
  • Interactive tests after each lesson

KhanAcademy: Pricing

KhanAcademy is a free non-profit resource that doesn’t charge students for taking any of its lessons. 

KhanAcademy: Pros and cons

Benefits

Drawbacks

Completely free Lack of advanced courses
A large set of subjects, including maths, physics, history, economics, etc. Courses may be too basic in quality and content

Best online math curriculum for homeschoolers: Advice for choosing

  • Check the program curriculum and see if they offer progress tracking
  • To improve school performance, refer to the curriculum that is aligned with the US state standards
  • Rely on placement and diagnostic tests to see the exact learning needs 
  • To engage kids, look for online homeschool math programs with interactive elements

In addition to these elements of the homeschool math curriculum online, Brian Galvin, Chief Academic Officer for Varsity Tutors, emphasizes the value of the “daily situations” approach. Here is what he said about the importance of interactive learning techniques in math education:

“One of my favorite math teaching techniques is 'connect the dots.”

One of my favorite math teaching techniques is connect the dots - when a student is stuck on a math problem, you can show them the answer and ask them to find the path between where they got stuck and the correct answer. When a student gets to connect the dots between question and answer, they so often realize that there is one missing step they need, and they receive that step as a reward because they figured it out, versus just an explanation.
Author Brian Galvin
Brian Galvin
Chief Academic Officer for Varsity Tutors

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

Find out which learning format your child likes. If they prefer YouTube and TikTok, you may look for a homeschool math video curriculum that leverages the power of visuals for teaching. If they like playing online, you may implement math games in your learning 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 curriculum homeschool 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 homeschooling math curriculum for struggling students.

Seek parental advice

Parents who already have some experience with the best math curriculum can provide you with the most accurate advice. If you don’t have anyone around, you can find reviews on online forums or social review platforms.

Since children with particular needs require a special homeschool math curriculum (for example, the best homeschool math curriculum for ADHD), parental reviews are valuable sources of information for you, providing hands-on experience on prices, aspects of visual learning, and personal experiences.  

Check curriculum flexibility

Your child’s needs may evolve with time, so it’s important to find a plan that addresses this dynamic. The ideal curriculum should be adjusted as your kid’s strengths and weaknesses change. The more flexible the platform is in mixing components and scheduling, the more likely it will help your kid in the long run.

Set a budget

Consider the amount of money you are ready to dedicate to homeschooling and find the platform that offers the best value for money. For example, Brighterly has private 1:1 tutoring  that most platforms in this overview don’t offer — and for an affordable price.

Try trials of different platforms

If the platform allows you to test its service 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?

For middle schoolers, the best math homeschool curriculum should take a personalized approach, focusing on deep understanding rather than rote memorization. Here are some platforms that can help with this:

  • Brighterly: Has personalized tutoring sessions aligned with the US state standards.
  • Math-U-See: Visualizes complex math concepts to enhance understanding​
  • Saxon Math: Good for incremental learning
  • AoPS: Challenging curriculum to advance math skills
  • Khan Academy: Makes comprehensive learning free to everyone

Choosing the best math curriculum for middle school should be based on your child’s needs, as the learning styles for slow and advanced learners are very different.

What is the best high school math curriculum for homeschool?

High school math curricula should prepare schoolers for college, thus focusing on making math understandable and easy to nail on tests. For this, consider these platforms:

  • Saxon Math, with its incremental learning
  • VideoText, supporting math explanations with video instructions
  • AoPS, with its rigorous curriculum
  • Math-U-See, with its visual approach

What is the best homeschool math curriculum for your child? Conclusion

In this overview of homeschool math programs to help struggling students, it’s evident that each curriculum has a different structure and thus serves your kids’ learning needs differently.

Here are my final recommendations to help you make the right choice for your child:

  • For helpful visualizations, consider RightStart Math, Math-U-See, and Brighterly.
  • For a structured approach that sticks to the schedule, invest in Saxon Math or Singapore Math.
  • Horizons Math and Brighterly are known for their spiraling approach, where kids repeat the topic until they master it.
  • Story-based learning is part of Life of Fred and Beast Academy homeschool math programs.
  • People who are looking for a free option should try Khan Academy.

However, I’ll start with Brighterly as my personal favorite in this list. The platform offers highly friendly and effective 1-on-1 sessions with professional math and reading tutors for an affordable price. 

Teacher support is key for learning, so I’d supplement any homeschool curriculum you choose with it. Book free lesson on Brighterly now to see how it works!

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