Homeschool & Worldschool · The Masterclass
The Homeschool Math Curriculum Comparison
Teaching Textbooks vs. Math Mammoth vs. fourteen more — spiral vs. mastery, by age, by learner, by budget. An honest, deeply-researched guide to choosing math for your kids, not someone else's.
By Justin Park · Updated June 2026 · 16 curricula reviewed · ~30-min read
If you have ever stared at a homeschool-math forum thread at midnight, you know the feeling: a hundred passionate opinions, a dozen acronyms, and the quiet panic that you might pick wrong and set your kid back a year. We wrote this because there is no single best homeschool math curriculum — there is only the best one for a specific child, taught by a specific parent, on a specific budget. The goal of this page is to help you find yours.
Here is the situation that started it. In our own house there is a fourth-grade boy who needs to touch, build, and see why a thing is true before it sticks — and an eighth-grade girl who would rather be handed a lesson and left alone to crush it. Same family, same kitchen table, two completely different math brains. Trying to force both into one program would have been a slow-motion disaster. So we did the research — properly — and this is the result: a comparison of the sixteen most-used and fastest-rising math curricula, plus a tool to match them to your child in about ninety seconds.
Interactive Tool
Find Your Family's Math Match
Five questions. No email required. Built from our research below.
Question 1 of 5
What grade is your child in?
First, the one distinction that matters most: spiral vs. mastery
Almost every math curriculum sits somewhere on a single spectrum, and understanding it instantly cuts your options in half.
Spiral programs introduce a concept in a small dose, move on, and then keep circling back to it across many later lessons. A spiral lesson is a mix: a little of today's new idea, plus review of fractions, plus a word problem from three weeks ago. The bet is that constant review builds retention. Kids who forget things without repetition tend to thrive; kids who get whiplash from bouncing between topics tend to struggle.
Mastery programs do the opposite: they stay on one topic — say, multiplication — and drill it deeply until the child has it cold, then move on. The bet is that depth beats breadth. Kids who like to sink their teeth into one thing thrive; kids who need frequent review to remember can develop gaps if a topic isn't revisited.
Several modern programs blend the two — mastery teaching with a spiral-review layer — which is often the safest bet.
Spiral programs
Continual mixed review. Best for kids who forget without repetition.
Mastery programs
One topic to depth, then move on. Best for kids who like to dig in.
All 16 at a glance
Tap any name to jump to the full review. Prices are approximate 2026 figures — verify at the source.
| Curriculum | Approach | Grades | Best for | Parent | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching Textbooks 4.0 | Spiral | 3–12 | Independent learners, hands-off parents, kids who 'hate math,' and big families. | Low | $$ |
| CTCMath | Mastery | K–12 | Large families, independent learners, budget-conscious parents, kids who need to accelerate or remediate. | Low | $ |
| Math Mammoth | Mastery | 1–8 | Budget-minded families, independent readers, and kids who want real conceptual depth. | Low | $ |
| Singapore Math (Dimensions / Primary) | Mastery | K–8 | Conceptual deep-thinkers and parents who want to build genuine problem-solving (and don't mind teaching). | High | $$ |
| Math-U-See | Mastery | K–12 | Hands-on/kinesthetic kids, struggling or math-anxious students, and anyone who needs to 'see why.' | Medium | $$ |
| Saxon Math | Spiral | K–12 | Kids who retain through constant review, independent older students, and college-prep/STEM tracks. | Medium | $$ |
| Beast Academy | Mastery | 1–5 | Advanced, puzzle-loving kids headed toward STEM or competition math — NOT strugglers. | Low | $$ |
| RightStart Mathematics | Mastery | K–8 | Hands-on/visual kids and families who want deep number sense and don't mind teaching. | High | $$$ |
| Horizons Math | Spiral | K–8 | Younger learners (K–6), advanced kids (it runs ahead), and hands-on parents. | High | $$ |
| Abeka Math | Spiral | K–12 | Kids who thrive on repetition and structure, and families wanting a video teacher. | Medium | $$$ |
| The Good and the Beautiful Math | Spiral | K–7 | Faith-friendly, budget-conscious families wanting gentle, colorful, open-and-go math. | High | Free |
| Math with Confidence | Hybrid | K–6 | Secular (and Christian-friendly) families and new homeschool teachers who want a script. | High | $ |
| Mr. D Math | Hybrid | 5–12 | Middle and high schoolers (especially anxious ones) and families who don't want to teach math. | Low | $$ |
| Shormann Math (DIVE) | Spiral | 7–12 | Independent teens, faith-based families, and college-prep households wanting test alignment. | Low | $$ |
| Khan Academy(supplement) | Mastery | K–12 | Self-motivated students, gap-filling, bright/quick learners, and budget-of-zero families. | Low | Free |
| IXL Math(supplement) | Spiral | K–12 | Families with a core curriculum who want reinforcement, gap-filling, or test prep. | Low | $ |
How to actually choose — five real questions
1. Who's doing the teaching — you or the program?
This is the biggest practical fork. Be honest about your bandwidth. If you cannot sit down for a daily math lesson, you need a program that teaches and grades itself: Teaching Textbooks, CTCMath, Khan Academy, or — for older kids — a teacher-led course like Mr. D Math or Shormann. If you want to teach and have the time, the most acclaimed conceptual programs (Singapore, RightStart, Math with Confidence) reward you for it.
2. How does your child actually learn — not their "style"
Here's where the popular advice goes wrong. You'll be told to identify your child's "learning style" — visual, auditory, kinesthetic — and match the curriculum to it. The trouble is that this idea doesn't hold up.
A child who needs to build and see ideas does best with manipulatives — Math-U-See's blocks, RightStart's abacus, or Singapore's concrete-to-pictorial progression. A child who struggles or gets anxious needs gentle, mastery-paced programs that let them slow down without "falling behind" (Math-U-See, Math with Confidence, Mr. D Math). A bored, advanced kid needs challenge, not more worksheets — Beast Academy is built for exactly that.
3. What's your real budget?
Math doesn't have to be expensive. Khan Academy is completely free. The Good and the Beautiful gives its entire K–7 curriculum away as free PDFs. Math Mammoth is about $40 a grade, and CTCMath covers your whole family, K through Calculus, for roughly $199 a year. On the other end, manipulative-heavy programs like RightStart have a higher first-year cost — but the blocks and abacus are reused for years.
4. Do you want (or want to avoid) faith-based content?
Several popular programs are explicitly Christian — The Good and the Beautiful, Abeka, Horizons, and Shormann weave in a Biblical worldview. Others are fully secular (Math with Confidence, Khan, IXL) or neutral on faith (most of the rest). Neither is "better" — just know which you're buying.
5. Will it grow with your child?
Watch the grade ceiling. Beast Academy stops after elementary; Horizons, The Good and the Beautiful, and Math with Confidence are elementary/middle focused; Teaching Textbooks stops at Pre-Calc. If you want one program K–12, Saxon, Math-U-See, CTCMath, and Abeka go the distance.
Worked example
One family, two kids, two different answers
Back to our fourth-grade boy and eighth-grade girl. Watch how the same five questions land on opposite curricula — and why that's not just okay, it's the whole point.
The 4th-grade boy 🧱
Hands-on, needs to see why, still wants a parent beside him, no math anxiety but loses interest fast.
Independence: low. Hands-on: high. So we skip the self-teaching apps and look at manipulative-led, teacher-present programs. Top fits: Math-U-See (blocks + short videos, one concept at a time) and Singapore (concrete-to-abstract, visual bar models). Beast Academy is the wildcard if his "loses interest fast" is really boredom — its puzzles can re-light a quick kid.
The 8th-grade girl 🚀
Independent, capable, would rather not have mom hovering, heading toward high-school math and eventually the SAT.
Independence: high. Wants to own it. So we want a program that teaches and grades itself and scales into high school. Top fits: CTCMath or Teaching Textbooks for ease and independence; Shormann or Mr. D Math if she's college-prep serious and wants rigor + built-in test prep.
Two kids, two programs, one sane household. The bonus: because CTCMath is a single family subscription and Khan is free, running different math for each child can actually cost less than forcing one premium boxed program on both.
The full reviews — all 16, honestly
Each with its real approach, grade range, 2026 pricing, the genuine pros and cons, and a linked source.
Teaching Textbooks 4.0
Teaching Textbooks, Inc.
The most genuinely hands-off math — it teaches and grades everything itself.
Grades
3–12 (tops out at Pre-Calc)
Format
App-based, auto-graded; video lesson + step-by-step video solution for every problem.
Parent involvement
Low
Price
~$49–$84/level · Family Plan ~$217/yr (4–8 kids)
Best for: Independent learners, hands-off parents, kids who 'hate math,' and big families.
Pros
- +Teaches and grades automatically — near-zero parent prep
- +Self-paced video lessons you can pause and rewatch
- +A step-by-step video solution for every single problem
- +Family Plan is a bargain for multiple kids
- +Works offline and on any device
Cons
- –Widely considered a touch easy / 'a year behind' — not for accelerated kids
- –Stops at Pre-Calculus (no Calculus)
- –Screen-dependent; little pencil-and-paper or hands-on work
- –Subscription expires after 12 months
The bottom line: The closest thing to 'open it and walk away' math. Parents of math-averse kids love it; the recurring caution is that it runs easy, so strong students may outgrow it.
CTCMath
CTCMath (Patrick Murray)
One cheap family subscription unlocks K-through-Calculus for every child.
Grades
K–Calculus
Format
Online subscription; short video tutorials, auto-graded practice, diagnostics, printable worksheets.
Parent involvement
Low
Price
~$199/yr family (all kids, all grades) · ~$129/yr single
Best for: Large families, independent learners, budget-conscious parents, kids who need to accelerate or remediate.
Pros
- +Unbeatable value — one family plan covers every child, K–Calculus
- +True self-paced mastery with adaptive difficulty + diagnostic placement
- +Short, clear videos from a single, consistent instructor
- +Auto-grading + detailed parent reports
- +Printable worksheets + 12-month money-back guarantee
Cons
- –Little built-in written practice for young kids (you print worksheets)
- –No-frills, single-instructor video style (not gamified)
- –Screen-based; no manipulatives
- –Less deep than Saxon for advanced STEM students, per some reviewers
The bottom line: Best price-to-coverage on the market. Parents rave about the value and independence; the common gripe is the lack of built-in paper practice for little ones.
Math Mammoth
Math Mammoth (Maria Miller)
Best-in-class rigor per dollar — a complete, conceptual curriculum for ~$40 a grade.
Grades
1–8
Format
Self-teaching worktext (instruction + problems in one). PDF download (printable) or print.
Parent involvement
Low
Price
~$42.50/grade (digital) · cheaper in bundles
Best for: Budget-minded families, independent readers, and kids who want real conceptual depth.
Pros
- +Exceptional value — full curriculum for ~$40/grade
- +Strong conceptual development, not just procedure
- +Largely self-teaching by mid-elementary
- +Cathy Duffy 'Top Pick'
- +Buy by grade or by individual topic (Blue Series)
Cons
- –Text-heavy, black-and-white pages feel dry to some kids
- –Lots of problems per page — parents often assign half
- –No video or live teaching
- –Minimal manipulatives — weak for hands-on learners
The bottom line: The rigor-per-dollar champion. Parents call it 'incredibly affordable and solid' — and almost universally say they cut the problem count.
Singapore Math (Dimensions / Primary)
Singapore Math Inc.
The gold standard for conceptual depth — the famous bar-model, mental-math method.
Grades
PK–8 (Dimensions) / K–6 (Primary 2022)
Format
Textbook + workbook + instructor's guide; optional manipulatives & video subscription.
Parent involvement
High
Price
~$150–$170/grade (full set) (approx.)
Best for: Conceptual deep-thinkers and parents who want to build genuine problem-solving (and don't mind teaching).
Pros
- +Gold-standard conceptual depth and mental-math development
- +Bar-model method makes word problems visual and transferable
- +CPA progression serves visual + hands-on learners
- +Long, coherent runway (Dimensions PK–8)
- +Optional video subscription lowers the teaching load
Cons
- –Teacher-led — meaningful daily parent involvement required
- –Component-heavy (textbook + workbook + guide + assessments)
- –Two parallel lines (Dimensions vs. Primary 2022) cause buyer confusion
- –Fast conceptual pace can frustrate kids who need repetition
The bottom line: The bar-model / CPA approach credited with building real problem-solving. The trade-off: you have to actually teach it, and choose between its two lines.
Math-U-See
Demme Learning (Steve Demme)
Math you can build — color-coded blocks make concepts concrete, with video to teach it.
Grades
K–12 (levels by concept, not grade)
Format
Manipulatives-heavy + short video lessons; instruction manual with full solutions.
Parent involvement
Medium
Price
~$135/level + one-time ~$80 block kit (approx.)
Best for: Hands-on/kinesthetic kids, struggling or math-anxious students, and anyone who needs to 'see why.'
Pros
- +Outstanding concrete demonstration via blocks — even into algebra
- +Friendly video instruction lowers parent teaching burden
- +Mastery pacing lets kids slow down without falling 'behind'
- +Manipulatives are a one-time, reusable cost
- +Especially strong for struggling or anxious students
Cons
- –Workbooks aren't reproducible — rebuy consumables per child
- –Single-concept-per-level sequencing can leave gaps (some supplement word problems)
- –Non-traditional level order makes grade placement/transfers awkward
- –Upper workbooks are plain and repetitive
The bottom line: The color-coded manipulative blocks used all the way up through algebra. A lifesaver for hands-on kids and strugglers; the sequencing can feel narrow.
Saxon Math
Saxon (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
The rigorous, repetition-driven classic — 'introduce a little, review forever.'
Grades
K–12 (through Calculus)
Format
Textbook/worktext; K–3 is scripted with manipulatives, upper grades largely independent.
Parent involvement
Medium
Price
~$90–$130/level (varies by edition; cheap used) (approx.)
Best for: Kids who retain through constant review, independent older students, and college-prep/STEM tracks.
Pros
- +Rigorous, thorough, college-prep with a long track record
- +Excellent cumulative review → strong long-term retention
- +Upper grades enable real independent work
- +Especially strong on word problems
- +Inexpensive used; tons of video supplements (Nicole the Math Lady, DIVE)
Cons
- –Emphasizes procedures over conceptual understanding
- –Mixed daily problem sets feel scattered to some kids
- –Long, repetitive lessons → 'Saxon fatigue' / burnout
- –Visually plain; edition confusion (esp. geometry) is real
The bottom line: The gold standard of spiral rigor — and the most polarizing program out there. Devotees credit rock-solid retention; detractors find it tedious.
Beast Academy
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS)
Seriously hard math in a comic book — built to challenge gifted, 'mathy' kids.
Grades
Levels 1–5 (ages ~6–13)
Format
Comic-book-style Guide + Practice books, plus a separate adaptive online platform.
Parent involvement
Low
Price
~$118/level (books) · Online subscription separate (approx.)
Best for: Advanced, puzzle-loving kids headed toward STEM or competition math — NOT strugglers.
Pros
- +Genuinely challenging problems that build real mathematical thinking
- +Comic-book format is engaging for kids who love to read
- +Reasoning and problem-solving over rote memorization
- +Reusable Guide books; online platform adds adaptive practice
- +A pipeline into AoPS's rigorous middle/high-school math
Cons
- –Too hard / frustrating for average or struggling students
- –Elementary only (Levels 1–5) — you must transition after
- –Heavy reading load; tough for below-level readers
- –Less step-by-step instruction; not hands-on/manipulative
The bottom line: Comic-book delivery of seriously hard math. The only thing that finally challenges some gifted kids — and overkill or demoralizing for a child who isn't already confident.
RightStart Mathematics
Activities for Learning (Dr. Joan Cotter)
Number sense built with an abacus and games — the deepest, most hands-on early math.
Grades
Levels A–H (~K–8)
Format
Manipulatives- and game-driven; scripted, parent-led lessons built around the AL Abacus.
Parent involvement
High
Price
~$255–$300 first year (reusable manipulatives) (approx.)
Best for: Hands-on/visual kids and families who want deep number sense and don't mind teaching.
Pros
- +Outstanding number-sense and mental-strategy development (Cathy Duffy Top Pick)
- +AL Abacus gives a powerful visual model of place value
- +Games make practice engaging — little worksheet fatigue
- +Manipulatives are a one-time, reusable investment
- +Multi-sensory — strong for kids who struggle with drill
Cons
- –Very parent-intensive — high daily prep and teaching time
- –High upfront cost ($255–$300 first year)
- –Scripted lessons + game setup feel like 'a lot' for busy families
- –Not independent or self-teaching at all
The bottom line: The abacus-and-games model is genuinely different. Parents praise the number sense it builds — and frequently say it's 'too much' prep to sustain.
Horizons Math
Alpha Omega Publications
Bright, colorful, advanced-pace spiral workbooks kids actually enjoy.
Grades
K–8 (core K–6)
Format
Full-color consumable workbooks + scripted teacher handbook; manipulatives; paper-based.
Parent involvement
High
Price
~$120/grade + manipulative kit
Best for: Younger learners (K–6), advanced kids (it runs ahead), and hands-on parents.
Pros
- +Bright, engaging full-color workbooks
- +Advanced scope — often ahead of grade level
- +Strong spiral review keeps skills fresh
- +Designed specifically for homeschoolers
- +Good manipulative integration in early grades
Cons
- –High parent prep — not for hands-off families
- –Not suitable for independent work
- –Core ends at grade 6 (limited upper-level path)
- –Paper-only — no app, video, or auto-grading
The bottom line: The most colorful, advanced-pace spiral workbook for the elementary years. Kids enjoy the pages; it's teacher-intensive and runs fast.
Abeka Math
Abeka (Pensacola Christian)
Traditional, rigorous, classroom-style Christian math — with a video-teacher option.
Grades
K–12
Format
Parent-led worktexts OR Abeka Academy video lessons taught by 'Master Teachers.'
Parent involvement
Medium
Price
~$200–$460/grade kits (video/Academy extra) (approx.)
Best for: Kids who thrive on repetition and structure, and families wanting a video teacher.
Pros
- +Rigorous, fast-paced, strong on computation and fact mastery
- +Spiral review fights the forgetting curve
- +Video/Academy option provides a full teacher
- +Complete K–12 path including upper-level math
- +Colorful, structured, classroom-proven materials
Cons
- –Heavy workload and lots of drill — can overwhelm
- –Rigid scope and pace; hard to slow down
- –Full kits are expensive; video adds recurring cost
- –Procedure/drill over conceptual or discovery learning
The bottom line: Traditional drill-and-review with a professional video-teacher option (Abeka Academy). Great for kids who need repetition; rigid for relaxed homeschoolers.
The Good and the Beautiful Math
The Good and the Beautiful
A complete, beautiful, faith-based curriculum — the full PDF is genuinely free.
Grades
K–7 (Math 8 in development)
Format
Open-and-go coursebook + manipulatives; Math 4+ adds online videos. Free PDFs.
Parent involvement
High
Price
Free digital PDFs (K–7) · print kits ~$50–$80
Best for: Faith-friendly, budget-conscious families wanting gentle, colorful, open-and-go math.
Pros
- +Full digital curriculum free (PDFs K–7) plus free videos
- +Creative, engaging, low-prep, open-and-go
- +Manipulatives, games, stories, and variety built in
- +Cathy Duffy 'Top Pick'; meets/exceeds standards
- +Reasonably priced print and kits if you don't want to print
Cons
- –Faith-based (Christian) content — a con for secular families
- –Free PDFs really need color printing (cost + effort)
- –Requires specific manipulative sets
- –High parent involvement in K–3; spiral won't suit strict-mastery families
The bottom line: A complete curriculum, free as a PDF. Beautiful, gentle, low-prep, remarkable value — the caveats are the religious content and color-printing the 'free' pages.
Math with Confidence
Well-Trained Mind Press (Kate Snow)
A gentle, fully-scripted guide so a non-mathy parent can confidently teach early math.
Grades
K–6
Format
Scripted Instructor Guide (parent teaches) + full-color Student Workbook; games + manipulatives.
Parent involvement
High
Price
~$57.50/grade (full bundle) (approx.)
Best for: Secular (and Christian-friendly) families and new homeschool teachers who want a script.
Pros
- +Scripted open-and-go — perfect for inexperienced teachers
- +Secular yet Christian-friendly (works for both)
- +Manipulatives without expensive special purchases
- +Engaging variety — games, picture books, real-world
- +Strong conceptual foundation; Cathy Duffy Top Pick
Cons
- –Teacher-intensive — you teach each lesson daily
- –Some daily prep; gather your own manipulatives
- –Not for independent learners (especially K–3)
- –Caps at grade 6 — no middle/high continuation
The bottom line: A confidence-building script for the nervous parent-teacher. Increasingly popular for being approachable and effective for young kids — you just have to sit and teach.
Mr. D Math
Mr. D Math (Dennis DiNoia)
A real teacher does the instruction — built to defuse middle/high-school math anxiety.
Grades
~5–12 (Pre-Algebra → Calculus)
Format
Self-paced video course OR live weekly online classes — both with live teacher help.
Parent involvement
Low
Price
~$197/yr self-paced · live classes more (verify) (approx.)
Best for: Middle and high schoolers (especially anxious ones) and families who don't want to teach math.
Pros
- +A real, accredited teacher instructs and supports — not the parent
- +Strong reputation for reducing math anxiety
- +Both live cohorts and self-paced options
- +Affordable self-paced tier; broad course ladder
- +Included help sessions and clear worked solutions
Cons
- –Live-class pricing is higher and not transparent up front
- –Best results require following the pacing guide
- –Some instructors talk fast for certain kids
- –Live classes have fixed enrollment windows
The bottom line: Live teacher-led math focused on lowering anxiety. Parents report kids who 'kind of like math now' after years of struggle — cost is the main reservation.
Shormann Math (DIVE)
DIVE / Dr. David Shormann
A modernized, self-paced continuation of John Saxon's method — built for the new SAT.
Grades
~7–12 (Pre-Algebra → Calculus 2)
Format
Self-paced online — expert video lessons, auto-grading, video solutions, ~24-month access.
Parent involvement
Low
Price
~$104–$155/course (approx.)
Best for: Independent teens, faith-based families, and college-prep households wanting test alignment.
Pros
- +Less busywork than classic Saxon, same review benefits
- +Integrated geometry saves a year
- +Built-in PSAT/SAT/ACT/CLEP/AP prep
- +Auto-grading + video solutions (low parent load)
- +Long access window + sibling discounts
Cons
- –Explicitly Christian worldview — not for secular families
- –Assumes strong prerequisites; challenging
- –Fully tech-dependent
- –Spiral jumps topics around (not for strict-mastery learners)
The bottom line: A modern rebuild of Saxon for the redesigned SAT, with math history and a Christian philosophy of math. Economical and rigorous for independent, college-bound teens.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy (nonprofit)
Truly free, mastery-based video + practice — a fantastic spine or gap-filler.
Grades
K–12 + AP/early college
Format
Free self-paced online — short videos, interactive practice, mastery challenges, parent dashboard.
Parent involvement
Low
Price
Free (100%, no ads, no upsell)
Best for: Self-motivated students, gap-filling, bright/quick learners, and budget-of-zero families.
Pros
- +Truly free, no ads, strong AP/high-school coverage
- +Concise videos + adaptive mastery practice
- +Test-out-and-skip self-pacing
- +Parent/teacher dashboard
- +Works as a free supplement to anything
Cons
- –Limited cumulative review hurts retention for some
- –Too little practice for struggling kids
- –No pacing guide or teaching materials out of the box — not turnkey
- –Plain, low-engagement design; weak accountability
The bottom line: Free, mastery-based, and surprisingly complete. Many use it as a full spine; the honest caution is it shines most as a supplement or with added structure.
IXL Math
IXL Learning
Adaptive practice and diagnostics — a reinforcement supplement, not a full curriculum.
Grades
Pre-K–12
Format
Adaptive online practice app with diagnostics, analytics, and skill plans that align to your core.
Parent involvement
Low
Price
~$79/yr (math) · ~$159/yr (core 4 subjects)
Best for: Families with a core curriculum who want reinforcement, gap-filling, or test prep.
Pros
- +Full Pre-K–12 skill coverage with standards alignment
- +Skill plans align to your core program
- +Strong, detailed parent analytics + diagnostics
- +Immediate feedback (optional videos grades 5+)
- +Inexpensive as a single subject
Cons
- –NOT standalone — leaves gaps if used alone (the #1 caution)
- –'SmartScore' drops on a wrong answer — can stress kids
- –Thin instruction; it's a practice tool, not teaching
- –Repetitive drill; recurring subscription
The bottom line: An adaptive practice engine with great analytics — a beloved supplement, never a primary curriculum. The recurring gripe: the SmartScore stresses some kids out.
Beyond the boxed curriculum: living math & real-world math
A curriculum is a backbone, not a cage — especially for worldschooling and relaxed-homeschool families. Some of the best math learning happens off the worksheet, and these supplements pair beautifully with any program above:
- Life of Fred — story-based "living math." Kids follow the adventures of Fred, a five-year-old math professor, learning concepts in narrative context. Beloved as a fun supplement (and by some as a spine for story-loving kids); light on practice, so most pair it with something else.
- Prodigy — a free, game-based math platform (optional paid membership) that disguises curriculum-aligned practice as a video-game quest. Excellent motivation for reluctant kids; a supplement, not a teacher.
- Real-world & worldschool math — currency conversion in a new country, doubling a recipe, budgeting a trip, calculating tips and exchange rates on the road. For traveling families this is some of the stickiest math there is. See our world school guide for how families structure learning while traveling.
- Khan Academy & IXL — covered above; the two best near-free tools for filling gaps and reinforcing whatever spine you choose.
Keep reading — the homeschool & worldschool series
Frequently asked questions
What is the best homeschool math curriculum?
There is no single best — the right one depends on your child's age, how independently they work, whether they need a teacher or hands-on materials, your budget, and your involvement. For independent learners and hands-off parents, Teaching Textbooks and CTCMath lead. For deep conceptual understanding, Math Mammoth and Singapore. For hands-on or struggling kids, Math-U-See and RightStart. For advanced kids, Beast Academy. Use the matcher tool above as a starting point, then try a placement test before buying.
What's the difference between spiral and mastery math?
Spiral programs (Saxon, Teaching Textbooks, Horizons, Abeka) introduce a concept in small pieces and then keep reviewing it across many later lessons — building retention through constant mixed practice. Mastery programs (Math Mammoth, Singapore, Math-U-See, RightStart, CTCMath) teach one topic deeply until the child masters it before moving on. Spiral suits kids who forget without review; mastery suits kids who get frustrated bouncing between topics. Several programs blend both.
Is Teaching Textbooks or Math Mammoth better?
They serve different families. Teaching Textbooks is app-based, spiral, and teaches and grades itself — ideal for independent kids and hands-off parents, though it runs a bit easy. Math Mammoth is a self-teaching, mastery worktext at about $40 a grade — far more rigorous and conceptual, but black-and-white, text-heavy, and with no video. Choose Teaching Textbooks for independence and ease; choose Math Mammoth for rigor, depth, and value.
What's the cheapest homeschool math curriculum?
Several are free or nearly free. Khan Academy is 100% free (a great spine or supplement). The Good and the Beautiful offers its entire K–7 math as free PDF downloads (you pay only for optional print/manipulatives). Math Mammoth runs about $40 per grade. CTCMath is roughly $199/year for your entire family, all grades K–Calculus.
How do I choose math for two kids with different learning styles?
You don't have to use the same program for both — and most veteran homeschoolers don't. Match each child to how they actually work: an independent older student often thrives on a self-teaching program (Teaching Textbooks, CTCMath, Shormann, Mr. D Math), while a younger, hands-on child usually does better with manipulatives and a teacher (Math-U-See, RightStart, Singapore, Math with Confidence). It's normal — and often cheaper overall — to run two different curricula.
Are 'learning styles' (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) real?
The popular idea that each child has a fixed style and learns best only when taught in it is not supported by research — large reviews have found little evidence that matching instruction to a 'style' improves learning. What does reliably predict curriculum fit is more practical: how independently a child works, whether they need a teacher's explanation, whether concrete materials help them, their confidence/anxiety level, and how advanced they are. That's what our matcher uses.
Sources & methodology
Curriculum details and pricing were compiled in June 2026 from each publisher's official website and cross-checked against independent reviews — primarily Cathy Duffy Reviews, plus established homeschool review sites and parent forums. The discussion of learning styles draws on Pashler, McDaniel, Rohrer & Bjork, "Learning Styles: Concepts and Evidence," Psychological Science in the Public Interest (2008). Prices change; each curriculum card links its primary source so you can confirm current figures before purchasing. Austin Gallery is not affiliated with and earns no commission from these publishers — this is independent editorial.
- Teaching Textbooks 4.0: Teaching Textbooks (official) + HomeschoolPicks review
- CTCMath: Cathy Duffy Reviews — CTCMath
- Math Mammoth: Cathy Duffy Reviews — Math Mammoth
- Singapore Math (Dimensions / Primary): Cathy Duffy Reviews — Primary Mathematics 2022
- Math-U-See: Cathy Duffy Reviews — Math-U-See
- Saxon Math: Cathy Duffy Reviews — Saxon Math
- Beast Academy: Cathy Duffy Reviews — Beast Academy
- RightStart Mathematics: Cathy Duffy Reviews — RightStart
- Horizons Math: Cathy Duffy Reviews — Horizons Math
- Abeka Math: Abeka (official) + SmarterLearningGuide review
- The Good and the Beautiful Math: Cathy Duffy Reviews — Simply Good and Beautiful Math
- Math with Confidence: Cathy Duffy Reviews — Math with Confidence
- Mr. D Math: Mr. D Math (official) + HomeschoolPicks
- Shormann Math (DIVE): Cathy Duffy Reviews — Shormann Math
- Khan Academy: Cathy Duffy Reviews — Khan Academy
- IXL Math: Cathy Duffy Reviews — IXL for Math