📚 2025 Ultimate Homeschool Curriculum Guide

ArticlesPodcastYvette HamptonAby Rinella
Written By Garritt Hampton

Our 2025 Homeschool Curriculum Picks: Encouragement, Favorites, and Lessons Learned

“What Curriculum Do You Use For…?”

Aby and I get asked this question ALL THE TIME, and it’s always a fun conversation to have. After 27 combined years of homeschooling, we’ve had the joy of teaching our kids and discipling their hearts through a variety of curricula, books, videos, programs, and co-ops. We’ve used different methods from textbooks to classical, Charlotte Mason to unit studies, and just about everything in between. 

Watch or listen to this special episode here.

We’ve grouped this year’s curriculum picks by subject to make them easy to browse. Feel free to skip ahead to the links section and start exploring—but we hope you’ll take time to read through the whole article to see why we’ve chosen these resources and how to use them in your home.

Our annual Curriculum Picks episode has become a much anticipated feature on the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast, so this year, we went big! The episode is packed with over 90 minutes of encouragement and recommendations.

We always enjoy preparing for this episode as we look to a new school year. The anticipation of getting new resources and starting a fresh new year with our kids is like Christmas in summer and we love sharing our carefully selected and prayed over choices with you! 

But, before we get into our curriculum choices, here are a few tips…

  • Start with Prayer and Purpose! Before flipping through catalogs or filling your shopping cart, take time to pray. Ask God to direct your decisions. Cover the year ahead in prayer, and consider crafting a homeschool mission statement that reflects your family’s unique calling.

    When you’re tempted to chase the latest trend or compare yourself to other families, that mission statement will help bring you back to what really matters.

  • Know Your Kids—and Yourself! Understanding how your children learn (and how you teach) is one of the most powerful tools you have. Some kids thrive with structure and worksheets. Others light up when they can move, build, explore, or talk it out.

    While curriculum guides are fantastic tools, that can help you match your style with your kids' needs, it’s also okay to use trial and error. Each experience gives you valuable insight for the next season. Not sure how to do that? Check out this 3-episode series with Zan Tyler on Creating a Family Vision.

  • Click the links and check out the different things Aby and I are using this year. Many of these are affiliate links, so your purchases from this list help support the Schoolhouse Rocked ministry.

  • Ask Questions! If you have questions about a specific curriculum you’re considering, It’s usually a great ideo to call the company directly. Most of them have amazing customer service teams that will help guide you to finding what’s best for your family. You an also reach out to us here.

And please remember, you don’t have to buy everything on this list, and you definitely don’t need to start fresh every year. Use what you already have, borrow, swap, buy used, or simplify. Homeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective! For tips on how to homeschool well without breaking the bank, check out our Affordable Homeschooling Guide.

And Now, For Our 2025 Curriculum Picks…

BASICS:

BIBLE:

SCIENCE:

MATH:

HISTORY:

LANGUAGE ARTS / WRITING & GRAMMAR / LITERATURE:

BOOKS WE’RE READING:  

EXTRA CURRICULAR:

  • NCFCA - Speech/Debate (National Christian Forensics And Communication Association)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

A Guide, Not a Roadmap

Homeschooling is one of the greatest privileges we have as parents—and also one of the most daunting responsibilities. With hundreds of curriculum choices on the market, finding what works for your family can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve shared our favorites here—not as a complete roadmap, but as a source of encouragement and inspiration.

Whether you’re a veteran homeschooler fine-tuning your plans or a new parent just getting started, we hope this glimpse into our choices (and the lessons that shaped them) helps you approach the coming school year with confidence, clarity, and joy.

Why There’s No Such Thing as the “Perfect” Curriculum

If there’s one lesson we’ve learned over the years, it’s this: no curriculum is one-size-fits-all. What works beautifully for one child may completely flop with another. And what seemed perfect on paper might need to be swapped out by October.

That’s okay.

Part of the beauty of homeschooling is the flexibility it offers. Your curriculum choices should reflect your family’s values, your children’s learning styles, and your own teaching style. Give yourself permission to pivot when needed. You’re not failing—you’re adjusting, and that’s a strength.

High School: Plan Backwards, Live Flexibly

When homeschooling high schoolers, it helps to “plan from 12th grade backwards.” Map out what’s needed for graduation, then fill in the gaps year by year. But hold that plan loosely. Follow God’s leading. Make room for interest-led unit studies, practical experiences, and life beyond the textbooks.

Morning Time and Life Skills

We include devotional reading, character training, leadership studies (like Becoming a Servant and Navigating Friendships from Not Consumed), and plenty of parent-student conversations. Morning time helps us stay grounded before jumping into academics.

For Younger Kids

Keep it simple. Read aloud every day. Explore outside. Focus on building habits, character, and curiosity. If you do nothing else, reading good books together will give your kids a rich foundation for learning.

Homeschooling is a Lifestyle

It’s easy to get consumed with academics. But homeschooling is more than completing a checklist—it’s a way of life. Our days include volunteering, co-ops, game nights, conversations around the dinner table, and margin for relationships.

Don’t measure your success by how many boxes you check. Instead, ask: Are we growing in faith, character, and a love of learning? That’s what really counts.

Final Word of Encouragement: If you're feeling unsure, you're not alone. Every homeschool parent second-guesses themselves sometimes. Start with prayer, seek wisdom, and don’t be afraid to experiment. You’re doing ETERNAL, life-changing work—and your faithfulness will bear fruit.

Questions for Discussion and Reflection

1.     Yvette and Aby emphasized that curriculum choices should be individualized for each family and child. How do you determine what best fits the unique needs of your own children?

2.     Yvette and Aby talked about the temptation to compare curriculum choices and progress with others. How do you guard against comparison and pressure in your homeschooling journey?

3.     Morning time or “morning basket” was discussed as a flexible, family-style time for learning. How do you incorporate group learning into your homeschool, and what benefits have you seen?

4.     Aby suggested that kindergarten moms should focus on reading to their children rather than stress about curriculum. Do you agree with this approach for early learners? Why or why not?

5.     Yvette shared about letting her daughter Lacy help make curriculum choices, even when her preferences were different from Yvette’s initial plans (textbooks over Charlotte Mason). How much input do your children have in their own learning, and how has it impacted their motivation or enjoyment?

6.     Both hosts discussed not feeling confined by “finishing” a curriculum in a certain timeframe. Have you ever let go of a curriculum mid-year? How did you know it was time to make a change?

7.     The theme “light the fire, don’t fill the bucket” came up several times. What does this mean to you, and how do you try to inspire a love of learning in your home?

8.     Yvette and Aby mentioned using multiple resources (BJU Press, Not Consumed, Apologia, Master Books, etc.) and supplementing rather than strictly following a program. How do you balance structure with flexibility in your homeschool?

9.  For high schoolers, Yvette and Aby talked about creating a “map” or plan for four years, but also being open to adjustments. How do you approach long-term planning for older students, especially with changing interests or post-high school goals?

Photo by Jessica Ruscello on Unsplash

Garritt Hampton

Host of the Thinking Dad podcast. Christian husband, dad, homeschool advocate. Director of Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution. Soli Deo gloria!

https://SchoolhouseRocked.com
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