The Most Dangerous Question Asked: "What is the best homeschool curriculum?"
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
If you’ve even thought about homeschooling for more than five minutes, you’ve seen this question pop up on social:
“What curriculum do you recommend for _______?”“What should I buy for ______ subject/grade?” or "What is the best homeschool curriculum?"
It sounds innocent. After all, who better to ask than other homeschool parents?
But here’s the truth: this question, asked without context, can derail your homeschool before it even starts.
Why This Is a Big Deal
Choosing curriculum is one of the most nerve-wracking decisions homeschoolers face—especially in the early years.
It’s full of:
Doubt about whether you’re capable of choosing well
Fear of wasting money
Fear of wasting a year of your child’s education
Worry about falling behind or missing something important
Fear of damaging your relationship with your child
FOMO (fear of missing out) when you see glowing reviews of something you didn’t pick
It’s not an exaggeration to say curriculum choice can make or break your homeschool year—and sometimes your confidence as a homeschooling parent.
The Problem With Asking “What is the Best Homeschool Curriculum?”
When you post a broad “What curriculum should I use?” question online, you’re likely to get answers from families who:
Have completely different learning styles than yours
Use a teaching approach that would drive you crazy
Live a lifestyle that doesn’t match your time, budget, or priorities
Value things you don’t value—or ignore things that are important to you
Have children without the struggles or needs your child has
Simply enjoy a level of structure, workload, or pace that would overwhelm your home
And here’s the dangerous part: when you take their advice without realizing those differences, you can end up with a curriculum that looks good on paper but makes you miserable in practice.That’s when the self-doubt creeps in: “Maybe I’m not cut out for this. Maybe my kid isn’t cut out for this.”
But in reality, the curriculum just didn’t fit.
Why Curriculum Fit Matters So Much
Curriculum isn’t just a stack of books or an online portal—it’s the day-to-day experience of learning in your home.
When it fits:
Lessons feel engaging and manageable
Your child’s strengths shine and their challenges are supported
You enjoy teaching and learning together
The curriculum works with your life, not against it
When it doesn’t fit:
Every lesson feels like a battle
Your child’s confidence plummets
You start dreading school time
The relationship strain outweighs any “academic” gains
We have a multiple posts on how to match curriculum to your child’s learning style—and they are worth reading before you buy anything. Here are links to each one:
A Quick Tour of Homeschool Styles
Before you can choose a curriculum that fits, you need to know your homeschool style.
Here’s a quick overview:
Classical – Structured, rigorous, and focused on the trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric). Works best for families who love structure and long-term academic planning.
Charlotte Mason – Literature-rich, gentle, nature-focused, with an emphasis on narration and short lessons.
Traditional/School-at-Home – Mirrors public/private school with textbooks, tests, and set schedules.
Unit Studies – Integrates multiple subjects into one theme or topic at a time.
Montessori – Hands-on, child-led, using carefully prepared materials for self-directed learning.
Unschooling – Entirely interest-led learning with no formal curriculum.
Eclectic – A mix-and-match approach pulling from multiple styles.
Each style leans toward certain types of curriculum—and what works beautifully for one style can be a nightmare for another.
Not sure about which style you fit into? Get our complimentary guide to the homeschool styles which includes information on the most popular curriculum for each style.
The Trap of Defaulting to Online Curriculum
When you don’t know what else to do, it’s tempting to sign up for an all-in-one online program.It feels safe: you get everything in one place, it’s “accredited” (which isn’t necessary for homeschoolers), and it requires minimal planning from you.
But here’s what often happens:
The program moves too fast or too slow for your child
The screen-heavy approach leads to burnout
It lacks flexibility to follow your child’s interests
It feels like public school at home, complete with busywork and stress
You lose the freedom that makes homeschooling so powerful
Your relationship with your child suffers because you aren't spending time together
Education becomes a box to be checked and not a shared experience
Your child resents spending all day on a screen
The standard for a sedentary lifestyle is established
That doesn’t mean online programs are bad—they can be good for some families. But choosing one by default because you’re unsure where to start often leads to regret.
Ask Better Questions
The way to get helpful recommendations is to give context.Instead of “What curriculum do you recommend for 6th grade math?” try:
“I have a ___-year-old boy/girl whose learning style is _____.My teaching style is _____.We like a ______ type of schedule and my personality is _____.Is your family similar to ours?If so, what curriculum for ______ subject/grade have you enjoyed and why?What have you disliked about it?”
Now, you’re likely to get recommendations that match your reality—not someone else’s.
Homeschool Pro Tip- Level it Up
One of the smartest things you can do before asking for recommendations is to research from a trusted, objective source. Cathy Duffy’s website is arguably the best places to start—she offers detailed, unbiased reviews of homeschool curriculum across every subject and style. Reading her reviews, browsing publisher websites, and studying curriculum samples will give you a strong sense of what might fit your needs. Then, instead of asking social media for “the best math curriculum,” you can go back and ask, “Has anyone used [specific curriculum]? What was your experience?” That way, you’re not starting from a place of uncertainty—you’re gathering real-life insight about programs that are already a good match for your homeschool.
The Bottom Line
Curriculum choice is too important to leave to chance or popularity.The most dangerous question you can ask is one that gets you the wrong answers.Instead of asking for “the best curriculum,” focus on finding the best fit for your child, your teaching style, and your family life.
Because when the fit is right, homeschooling works.When it isn’t, it can undo all the reasons you chose this path in the first place.
If the thought of choosing curriculum still feels overwhelming, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our Homeschool Coaches can walk you through the process, and we even offer a coaching package dedicated entirely to helping you identify the best curriculum options for your family’s unique needs.
