Math is one of the most important—and sometimes most intimidating—subjects for homeschoolers. With so many different approaches available, from hands-on manipulatives to story-based adventures and self-paced online programs, it can be hard to decide which math curriculum is best for your child.
As a homeschooler for over 20 years with my three kids, I have seen and used a lot of homeschool curriculum. This series of posts began with grammar, then spelling, writing, and now we are focusing on math.
Below, I’ll compare popular homeschool math programs, sharing their approach, target grades, strengths, and considerations to help you find the right fit for your family.
First, you’ll see the math programs we used in our homeschool, and then other math curricula available.
It’s no secret that we love Teaching Textbooks math. Prior to using TT, we looked at many options but once we tried TT, we never looked back. My kids have used Teaching Textbooks math from Level 3 all the way through high school. My daughter is currently finishing up Algebra 2.
I have written a few posts about Teaching Textbooks over the years. Thankfully, they became a blog sponsor after I had already been using them for years. It was a win-win, I got paid to share about a homeschool program I had already purchased myself and had been using and loved. While they have sponsored posts in the past, this is NOT a sponsored post.
- Purchase Options: Teaching Textbooks
- Free Trial: You can try TT for 3 weeks absolutely free!
- Ages/Grades: Level 3 (approximately 2nd grade) – Pre Calculus
- Approach: Fully online (but also includes PDF option that can be printed), interactive lessons with auto-grading.
- Best for: Families who want independent, online learning with minimal parent prep.
We used Life of Fred as a supplement during the early elementary years. Here’s a review I wrote about Life of Fred. I highly recommend adding these wonderful books to your homeschool, at least in the early years. They can be used alongside whatever math program you’re using (or even stand alone; we just chose to use them as a supplement).
- Purchase Options: Christian Book, Amazon
- Ages/Grades: K–College
- Approach: Story-based math adventures featuring “Fred” the child genius.
- Best for: Families who want to make math fun and enjoyable—or as a supplement alongside another program.
Below are math programs we have not personally used. If I were starting over again with my kids, I would most likely try All About Math or Math with Confidence for the grades before Teaching Textbooks begins. Neither program was available when my kids were that age.
Please note, I did my best to summarize each program but it is possible I got a fact wrong. If you notice an error, please let me know!
- Purchase Options: All About Learning Press, Christian Book
- Ages/Grades: Early Elementary (new program from AALP)
- Approach: Multisensory, Orton-Gillingham inspired, hands-on with manipulatives.
- Best for: Parents who love the All About Reading/Spelling style and want a similar multisensory math program.
- Purchase Options: Apologia, Christian Book, Amazon
- Ages/Grades: Grades 1–6
- Approach: Christian, spiral approach with hands-on activities.
- Best for: Families wanting a Christian, hands-on, elementary math curriculum.
- Purchase Options: Beast Academy
- Ages/Grades: Grades 1–6 (Levels 1-5, grades vary)
- Approach: Challenging, puzzle-style problem solving taught through comic books and practice guides.
- Best for: Gifted or math-loving kids who thrive on problem-solving and puzzles.
- Purchase Options: Christian Light Education
- Ages/Grades: Grades 1–12
- Approach: Traditional, spiral “lightunit” workbooks with lots of review.
- Best for: Families who want a rigorous, structured, spiral math program with built-in review.
- Purchase Options: Simply Charlotte Mason
- Ages/Grades: Elementary (Grades 1–6)
- Approach: Gentle, conversational, oral math lessons using manipulatives.
- Best for: Charlotte Mason families seeking gentle, conversational math.
- Purchase Options: CTC
- Ages/Grades: Grades K–12
- Approach: Online, mastery-based lessons with video instruction and practice problems.
- Best for: Families with multiple kids who want a flexible, online math solution.
- Purchase Options: Generations
- Ages/Grades: Grades K–3
- Approach: Christian worldview, workbook-based with spiral review.
- Best for: Christian families wanting a simple, faith-centered approach.
- Purchase Options: Alpha Omega, Christian Book, Amazon
- Ages/Grades: Grades K–8 (Level K – Algebra)
- Approach: Spiral, colorful workbook series with frequent review.
- Best for: Kids who like color, variety, and frequent review in math.
- Purchase Options: Learn Math Fast
- Ages/Grades: Grades 1–High School (placement flexible)
- Approach: Mastery-based, self-paced workbooks designed to teach concepts quickly.
- Best for: Older students who need to catch up or anyone who wants to move quickly through math.
- Purchase Options: MasterBooks, Christian Book, Amazon
- Ages/Grades: Grades K-6
- Approach: Story-based, Charlotte Mason-inspired math with short daily lessons.
- Best for: Families wanting short, story-based math lessons with a Christian foundation.
- Purchase Options: Math Mammoth, Christian Book, Amazon
- Ages/Grades: Grades 1–8
- Approach: Mastery-based, workbook-driven with strong emphasis on conceptual understanding.
- Best for: Independent learners and parents looking for a budget-friendly, solid math foundation.
- Purchase Options: Math U See, Christian Book, Amazon
- Ages: Grades K–12
- Approach: Mastery-based, manipulative-driven with video instruction.
- Best for: Hands-on learners who benefit from building concepts with manipulatives.
- Purchase Options: Well Trained Mind, Christian Book, Amazon
- Ages/Grades: Grades K–6 (series in progress)
- Approach: Scripted lessons for parents, with games, activities, and practice pages.
- Best for: Parents who want a gentle, interactive approach with strong teacher guidance.
- Purchase Options: Right Start, Christian Book
- Ages/Grades: Grades K–8
- Approach: Hands-on, manipulative-based, focuses on understanding and mental math.
- Best for: Families who want a hands-on, game-based, conceptual approach to math.
- Purchase Options: Christian Book, Amazon
- Ages/Grades: Grades K–12
- Approach: Spiral with heavy review, traditional textbook format.
- Best for: Families who want a rigorous program with lots of review.
- Purchase Options: Singapore, Christian Book
- Ages/Grades: Grades PreK–8
- Approach: Singapore-style CPA (Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract), mastery with problem-solving focus.
- Best for: Families wanting a rigorous, concept-focused approach with international credibility.
- Purchase Options: TGTB
- Ages/Grades: Grades K–7 (levels expanding)
- Approach: Faith-based, colorful, hands-on lessons with stories and games.
- Best for: Parents wanting a Christian, visually appealing math curriculum with hands-on activities.
Which mATH Curriculum Is Right for You?
Math is one of the most customizable homeschool subjects. Your decision depends on your child’s learning style, your teaching style, and how much time you want to invest:
- Hands-on/Manipulatives: Math-U-See, RightStart, All About Math
- Story-Based: Life of Fred, Math Lessons for a Living Education, TGTB
- Classical/Conceptual: Singapore Dimensions, Math with Confidence, Beast Academy
- Traditional/Spiral: Saxon, Horizons, CLE, Generations
- Independent/Online: Teaching Textbooks, CTC Math
- Gentle/Charlotte Mason: SCM Arithmetic, Math with Confidence, Master Books
What about you? Have you tried any of these? Which one is your favorite? Do you use a math program I didn’t feature? Share your experience in the comments!
Click below to see more posts in this series.
