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Best Homeschool Math Curriculum Options

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Looking for the best homeschool math curriculum for your child? Whether you’re teaching a kindergartner or a high schooler, this post will guide you through the top-rated homeschool math programs — including updated favorites, online options, and hands-on alternatives.

This is part of my Homeschool Curriculum Favorites series, where I’ve gathered insights from hundreds of homeschool families along with my personal experience after trying nearly every math program out there!

Need more homeschool support? Check out my podcast: Called to Homeschool and my helpful e-book, The Quick Guide to Choosing a Homeschool Curriculum.

 

homeschool math curriculum- top picks

 

Choosing a Homeschool Math Program

Math can be one of the trickiest subjects to get right in your homeschool. I’ve switched programs many times over the years, but we’ve finally found a few favorites that stick.

This year, I’ll have one student in Algebra, one in Pre-Algebra, one in 4th grade, and one in 1st — and we’ve found great curriculum fits for each level.

Here are the top five programs most recommended by homeschoolers plus my personal favorites and other great options to consider.

Top 5 Homeschool Math Curriculum Programs (Based on Parent Feedback)

1. Singapore Math

A mastery-based program with colorful visuals and an international reputation for strong math foundations. Available from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Great for visual learners and strong conceptual understanding.

2. Math-U-See

Highly structured, hands-on program with manipulative blocks and video instruction. Covers K–High School.
Especially good for tactile learners or kids who benefit from step-by-step guidance.

3. Saxon Math

A spiral-based curriculum that builds slowly and reviews constantly. Used by many private and public schools.
Ideal for families who want to stay closely aligned with traditional schooling.

4. Life of Fred

A whimsical, story-based approach to math that appeals to reluctant learners. Available from early elementary to college-level math.
Excellent supplement for kids who enjoy narrative learning.

5. Teaching Textbooks

A fully automated online program that handles teaching and grading. Lessons are engaging and self-paced.
Perfect for independent learners and parents who don’t love teaching math.

My Personal Favorite Homeschool Math Programs

1. CTC Math

Read my Review
An affordable, flexible online program with video-based lessons and automatic grading. You can set mastery levels and track student progress.
Tip: Great for multiple kids across different grades.

2. Christian Light Publications Math

A solid workbook-based program with structured review and strong practice. Best for grades 1–8.  Less helpful for upper-level math unless parents are comfortable teaching it.

3. Teaching Textbooks

We’ve stuck with this one the longest — it’s engaging, easy to use, and my kids enjoy the fun features built into each lesson.
Starts at Grade 3 and goes through Pre-Calculus.  See my review.

4. The Good and the Beautiful Math

We’ve used this for many years and love its gentle, hands-on, and visually rich format.
New levels are being released gradually. Great for Charlotte Mason-style families.

Homeschool math curriculum

Math Mammoth

Budget-friendly PDF curriculum focused on mastery. Very thorough explanations and strong concept-building.

RightStart Math

Emphasizes mental math and hands-on learning using manipulatives like abacus and geometry tools.

Miquon Math

Great for grades 1–3 using Cuisenaire rods. Encourages creative, discovery-based learning.

Touch Math

Designed for early learners and children with special needs. Teaches numbers using touch points on numerals.
Read My Review

ALEKS Math

An adaptive online math program that continually assesses and adjusts to a student’s level. Grades K–12.

Math Essentials

Short, focused lessons to improve core math skills. Excellent for daily practice or remediation.

Math on the Level

Flexible program designed to teach multiple ages together. Encourages family-style math instruction with personalized pacing.

Khan Academy

FREE online platform with video tutorials and practice exercises across all grade levels.

IXL Math

Interactive online program aligned with state standards. Offers real-time feedback and targeted practice.

Pearson Homeschool Math

Read My Review
Traditional textbook format with visual components and CD-ROM-based games. Strong structure and multi-sensory approach.

A+ Interactive Math

Online lessons, quizzes, and worksheets with a built-in progress tracker. Good for review or complete instruction.

Online vs. Workbook-Based: Which Format is Best?

  • Online math programs like CTC Math, Teaching Textbooks, ALEKS, and Khan Academy work well for independent learners and busy parents.

  • Workbook-based programs like Christian Light, RightStart, and Math-U-See are great for hands-on learners or those who benefit from written practice.

  • Hybrid approaches like The Good and the Beautiful and Singapore Math often combine colorful books, hands-on components, and occasional digital tools.

Want Help Choosing?

If you’re still unsure, check out my e-book:
The Quick Guide to Choosing a Homeschool Curriculum — it breaks down how to pick the best fit for your child’s learning style and your teaching preferences.

Also be sure to follow along with my podcast Called to Homeschool for ongoing curriculum reviews and homeschooling support.

What is your favorite math curriculum? Check out the other posts in this series:

Favorite Homeschool Language Arts Curriculum

Favorite Homeschool Science Curriculum

Favorite Homeschool History & Geography Curriculum

Favorite Homeschool Art & Music Curriculum

 

Former school teacher turned homeschool mom of 4 kids. Loves creating awesome hands-on creative learning ideas to make learning engaging and memorable for all kids!

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43 Comments

  3. I’m glad to hear that you are happy and continuing on with Christian Light! I purchased it after an exhausting search for something that would be a good fit for my son. Hope this is it!!

  5. Math is a big issue at my house. My daughter did not do well with Horizons, BJU Press or Math U See. She only like Life of Fred, but she’s not remembering all of the facts.

  6. I have 3 boys and they are all doing Teaching Textbooks this year. My oldest son went to this after doing half a year of the Saxon math and hated the Saxon. He loves teaching text books so far. Am hoping it works for my other 2 boys too.

    Thanks for the review, they look great. So many options.

    Manny

  8. I haven’t had experience with the other curriculums listed on this page but we use Math U See and for us it’s been amazing. My daughter has thrived being able to focus on one topic at a time and feeling like she “knows” it at the end. She continually wants to rewatch the dvd lessons and loves the manipulatives as well. This program has been a blessing but I am considering checking out some of these others listed here as a supplement next year.

  9. I would love for you to review Multiplication Education. My mother created it (she was a math teacher and brain gym certified) She used a child’s 7 intelligences to teach and tutor. Multiplication Education uses the 7 intelligences to teach children the times tables. I would love to send you a copy or down load!

  10. Pingback: The Ultimate Guide to Mathematics Lessons for Homeschooling
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  12. Last year we tried ‘math in focus’ and it was good. My daughter really liked it. It’s bold n colorful which helps hold her attention. It’s a Saxon’s Singapore type of approach..it’s a fairly new program, do not everyone has heard of it. We will be using it again this year for sure.

    1. I have used Primary Mathematics Singapore Math for kindergarten and first grade. While I like the abstract concepts they teach, I find the problems are too simplified and require me to purchase supplemental books. I am considering a switch to Math in Focus and I am curious on your thoughts now that you have had sometime to use it.

  13. I am just curious why you are choosing Christian Light over Saxon lets say…
    I am someone new at Homeschooling and all public schools that I know of use Saxon?
    I am not questioning your teaching…I am just earnestly trying to find the best math out there…
    I have a 2nd grade daughter and an 8th grade daughter who has used Abeka and Saxon…
    Could you share why…I would great appreciate it.
    Thanks so much!

    1. We tried Saxon our first year. It was the name I had heard most often, so that is what I got. Honestly, it caused my son to melt into a puddle of tears every day and I had to find something that caused less of a fight and moved along with less repetition. Christian light is a great program because it has a lot of practice and repetition, but it isn’t overkill. It also has a lot of variety within each lesson so my kids don’t feel like it is all just exactly the same day after day. I also like that it isn’t full of colors and cartoons like some programs are. It has just been a really good fit. I read about a million reviews before deciding and it paid off. 🙂

    2. Thanks for replying…I hear Saxon and Christian Light are similar…Christain Light is done with more flow…not so much jumping around? Would you say that is correct?

    3. Be careful as Saxon Math is aligned to Common Core standards. I have heard they have not changed their homeschool curriculum, but I haven’t found it yet. Suzanne

  14. We’ve tried Singapore math before at home. It was a big challenge for my son. It doesn’t re-teach math skills so kids would easily forget about what they learn a few months ago, at least my son needs to review math knowledge in different periods.
    Then his teacher recommends Beestar’s free math program to us. We went back to traditional US math. Thanks to this home learning site, my son has gained strong interest for math in just one year. He completes Beestar’s weekly practices on time and likes to compete with other peers online to get on the honor roll. I’ve seen the practices, very clear and interesting. Many of the questions have vivid pictures. Although not taking too much time, the questions cover almost every math skills. My son’s math ability is improving very fast by using it. Love it!

  15. Hello everyone, my wife and I are 2nd Gen homeschoolers with 2 sons, 9 and 7, and a daughter who will be 3 in May. We have developed an online math curriculum that we are very excited to share with the homeschool community. We have completed UnLock Pre-Algebra, suitable for grades 7/8 or possibly 6 depending on the student, and we are working on Algebra 1 & 2 and are going to follow with Geometry and Calculus.
    We take the stress and frustration out of the math equation for parents and their children, taking care of all the teaching, testing, and grading for you. My wife is an excellent teacher and our videos are not your typical boring math videos, they are exciting and engaging, often the whole family will gather around just to watch 🙂
    You can take a look at our program at http://www.unlockmath.com
    My wife was a high school math teacher when we met 13 years ago and LOVES teaching math and it shows in UnLock Math.
    Thank you!
    Matthew

    1. Hi Matthew,
      I clicked on the unlockmath.com link and just checked out your wife’s demo. She is a good teacher and I’ve sent you a message with some questions I have. We are interested in pre-algebra for the summer. I’m glad you posted here; I don’t think I would have found you guys otherwise.

      And thanks to teachbesideme.com for this forum! It would be helpful if people could list the age or grade of their child with their reviews.

  16. We LOVE Singapore Math! We have used it the past 2 years for my 1st, 3rd, and 5th graders and we never thought they could be so brilliant since math was not a strong suit for them in public school. It does seem to be quicker paced, but the beauty of it is in the mental math practice (at the back of the instructor’s guide) and the fact that it teaches more than one strategy to find an answer. It also approaches from different angles for all types of learning: hands-on, visual, and finally abstract. I highly recommend this program if your child is a quick learner.

  17. Hi My name is Windy. I have been being employed as a TESOL teacher
    in Greece for many years.I first discovered your blog when I was searching for spring decoration crafts resources
    for my ESL class some time ago. I keep returning ever since.
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  18. thanks you helped me find new math to try out next year. My daughter loves math and we have not use anything formal yet but look forward to try teaching text books thanks for you help.

  19. We are using Liberty Mathematics and will use MCP Mathematics next year. The teacher’s manual for MCP is awesome. I can’t wait to teach out of it! We’ve tried MUS, Mammoth Math and Singapore. We like traditional math and the way it teaches, thus our current choice!

    1. I love the teacher’s manuals for MCP. My dd is doing so well with math. I’m looking ahead for 7th grade. MCP only goes to 6th. Any suggestions for what to use for 7th? I have looked at Saxon and am not encouraged. Thanks!

  21. We used Khan Academy for almost a year before we realized it is aligned with Common Core. My daughter was in 7th grade at the time and we were wondering why we were having trouble helping her with some of the problems. Then we discovered the above. Also since it is from another country they used a calculator with a term we don’t even have on our American calculators. We don’t care for Common Core so we quit our subscription. Suzanne

  22. I tried various math programs such as Saxon, Singapore, Life of Fred, and Teaching Textbooks. None of these programs clicked with my children. Saxon and Singapore, while thorough brought frustration and tears to my children. Life of Fred and Teaching Textbooks left gaps and seemed better suited as a supplement. Then I found MCP Mathematics. My children soared past grade level in their standardized tests and finally seemed to really grasp the concepts and be able to progressively move forward in their math abilities and knowledge base. No the only problem is my oldest has completed the curriculum. Does anyone know of a middle school curriculum that builds upon MCP Mathematics?

  23. Great list of awesome resources. I never knew that Pearson had a homeschool section available. I think you missed http://www.mathworksheetsland.com and Purple Math too. Purple Math is more upper level, but the math worksheets land covers everything pretty well at those lower grades. I love PDFs, so I am a bit biased.

    Thanks for all your help.

  24. I have used math picture books for kids to stimulate interest in the subject. Girls especially loose interest if they don’t understand WHY they are learning something and why it works. For example, why do we learn about sides of a triangle? What’s Your Angle, Pythagoras? explains 1 practical use which I never thought about when I was in high school. Here are a few of my favorites:

    https://amazingwizkids.com/great-childrens-books-that-demonstrate-math-concepts-in-a-fun-way-kids-understand/

  25. HI there, I will be 100% new to homeschooling. I will be having a 9th grader to be homeschooled. I have heard great things about the “teaching textbooks” math. But I am very lost on how to buy the proper math book for him? How do I do that?

  27. Hello

    I like to know what is the differences between Pearson and Art of problem-solving( AoPs). I used Singapore math for 6 years and I think to switch to something more advanced. As I researched, I figured out the SP is not a good fit for my kids. I appreciate your response and feedback.

  28. My daughter is very slow with mAth. She’s a 4th grader and we just finished third grade Saxon. I don’t feel it’s a fit for her. Do you have any suggestions for a curriculum that is great for those who are slow and don’t seem to understand the patterns in math?
    Thanks!
    Missy

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