The Best Catholic Homeschool Curriculum for 2026
Updated · By Edulist · 12 sources
Our top picks
How we chose
- Authentically Catholic or Catholic-compatibleThe three core picks are Catholic programs. Supporting picks are subject programs that Catholic programs schedule or that fit a Catholic classical plan, and we say plainly when a publisher is Christian but not Catholic.
- Structure and recordsWe compared whether each program enrolls your child, grades work, keeps transcripts and grants a diploma, or simply sells books and lesson plans.
- Cost per childPrices are from official tuition pages and stores as of October 2026, including fees and add-ons.
- Daily workloadCatholic programs range from gentle and short to traditional and demanding. We describe each so you can match your child.
- Grade coverageWe note where a program stops, such as Catholic Heritage Curricula's do-it-yourself high school guide.
Rankings are editorial. Vendors can’t pay for placement. Prices and grades update from each listing.
1. Seton Home Study School
- Price
- From $18.75/mo
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- School, Curriculum, Books
Seton Home Study School is a Catholic distance-learning school for Pre-K through 12th grade, accredited by Middle States (MSA-CESS) and based in Front Royal, Virginia. Full enrollment includes textbooks, workbooks, daily lesson plans, grading, report cards, transcripts and academic counseling. As of October 2026, tuition per student is $225 for Pre-K, $275 for kindergarten, $570 for grades 1 to 3, $705 for grades 6 to 8 and $1,000 for grades 9 to 12, plus a $30 new-family fee. Multi-child discounts start at $70 off for two students.
Pros
- Remarkably low tuition for an accredited program
- Books, plans, grading and counseling included
- Catholic faith in every subject, with a diploma
Cons
- Traditional workload with lots of written work
- Parent teaches daily; no live classes
- Lesson plans must be returned at the end
Best for: Catholic families who want structure, accredited records and a modest price
2. Catholic Heritage Curricula
- Price
- From $108.35 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Catholic Heritage Curricula offers open-and-go core kits with daily lesson plans for preschool through 8th grade, plus a guidebook for designing high school. There is no tuition or enrollment. As of October 2026, core kits cost $108.35 for preschool, $201.15 for kindergarten, $248.05 for 1st grade and up to $378.45 for 6th grade. Math is bought separately, though the plans schedule a recommended program, such as MCP Math Level A in 1st grade. Days are short and gentle in the early grades.
Pros
- Low-cost kits with every day planned
- Gentle pace suited to young children
- Faith woven through reading, art and history
Cons
- No grading, records or transcripts
- Math not included in kits
- High school is a do-it-yourself guide
Best for: Catholic families with young children who want a gentle, low-cost plan
3. Kolbe Academy
- Price
- From $16.25/mo
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- School, Curriculum, Course
Kolbe Academy calls itself "authentically Catholic, classical home education" and is accredited by Cognia and NAPCIS. Families choose Full-Time Flex (traditional homeschool with records and an advisor), Full-Time Standard (adds digital courses and a $200 bookstore credit), Full-Time Online (live classes with grading) or Part-Time courses. For 2026–27, Flex runs $195 to $535, Standard $335 to $995 and Full-Time Online $2,390 to $7,390, depending on grade. High schoolers can take honors, AP and dual credit.
Pros
- Flexible tiers from low-cost to fully online
- Classical curriculum with Latin and great books
- Accredited diploma, AP and dual credit
Cons
- Full-Time Online costs several thousand dollars
- Grading included only with Full-Time Online
Best for: Catholic families who want classical depth and flexible support
4. Memoria Press
- Price
- From $672.01 one-time
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books, Course
Memoria Press is a family-run classical Christian publisher founded by Cheryl Lowe in 1994. It is not a Catholic program, but its Latin-first approach, classic literature and recitation fit many Catholic classical plans. Lowe also wrote the Latin programs Latina Christiana and Lingua Angelica. Full-year grade packages list from $271.72 for preschool to $1,881.75 for 10th grade as of October 2026, with large sales. Review the Christian Studies books against your catechesis plan.
Pros
- Rigorous Latin and literature from early grades
- Complete grade packages or single subjects
- Live online academy for grades 3–12
Cons
- Christian Studies are not Catholic catechesis
- Heavy workload many families trim
Best for: Catholic families building their own classical plan
5. Classical Academic Press
- Price
- From $23.95 one-time
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books, Course
Classical Academic Press publishes Song School Latin, Latin for Children, Writing & Rhetoric and The Art of Argument, with video lessons and live classes through Scholé Academy. Latin for Children offers an ecclesiastical pronunciation chant audio, which suits Catholic families who want Church Latin. As of October 2026, the Song School Latin Book 1 Program lists at $113.80 and the Latin for Children Primer A Program at $146.75, both often on sale. It is sold by subject, not as a full grade.
Pros
- Engaging, well-paced Latin for young children
- Ecclesiastical pronunciation option
- Strong logic and rhetoric for older students
Cons
- Single subjects, not a full curriculum
- Digital products are non-returnable
Best for: Catholic families who want Latin, logic or rhetoric to pair with a core
6. Saxon Math
- Price
- From $74.99 one-time
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Saxon Math is a K–12 textbook series built on incremental lessons and constant mixed review, sold to homeschoolers as kits from Math K through Calculus. Seton schedules Saxon in its program and charges for upper-level Saxon books, so it is a natural match for traditional Catholic homeschools. Homeschool kits usually cost about $120 to $200 per level at major retailers as of October 2026. Long problem sets suit kids who like routine more than those who need the why.
Pros
- Steady review keeps skills fresh
- Runs all the way through calculus
- Widely used, with many used copies available
Cons
- Lessons with 20 to 30 problems can feel long
- Procedural more than conceptual
Best for: Families who want a reliable, traditional math sequence alongside a Catholic core
7. Teaching Textbooks
- Price
- From $4.08/mo
- Grades
- 3–12
- Type
- App, Curriculum
Teaching Textbooks is an app-based math course from Math 3 through Pre-Calculus, with an animated lecture, step-by-step solutions and automatic grading for every lesson. Seton offers it as a math option for an extra fee. As of October 2026, a 12-month enrollment costs $48.95 per student for Math 3 to 5, up to $83.95 for Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus, or $239.95 for a 4-to-8-student family plan. It frees the parent from teaching and grading math.
Pros
- Students learn and check math on their own
- Low cost, with a family plan
- Gentle explanations for math-anxious kids
Cons
- Paces behind many programs
- Repetition can bore quick learners
Best for: Busy Catholic homeschools where the parent needs math handled
Quick comparison
| Pick | Grades | Type | Price from (Oct 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seton Home Study School | PreK–12 | Accredited enrollment | $225/yr (Pre-K) | All-inclusive, accredited |
| Catholic Heritage Curricula | PreK–8 (HS guide) | Kits and lesson plans | $108.35 (preschool kit) | Gentle, affordable |
| Kolbe Academy | PreK–12 | Accredited, flexible | $195/yr (Flex) | Classical Catholic |
| Memoria Press | PreK–12 | Classical packages | $271.72 list (preschool) | Classical add-on |
| Classical Academic Press | K–12 | Subject programs | $113.80 (Song School Latin 1) | Latin and logic |
| Saxon Math | K–12 | Math textbooks | About $120 per kit | Traditional math |
| Teaching Textbooks | 3–Pre-Calc | Math app | $48.95/yr | Independent math |
How to choose Catholic homeschool curriculum
The three big Catholic programs differ mostly in how much they do for you.
Seton vs Catholic Heritage Curricula vs Kolbe
| Seton | CHC | Kolbe | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment | Yes, accredited | No | Yes, accredited |
| Grading | Seton grades | Parent | Parent, or Kolbe in Full-Time Online |
| Feel | Traditional, workbook-heavy | Gentle, short days | Classical, Latin and great books |
| Live classes | No | No | Yes, in Online tiers |
| High school | Full diploma program | Guidebook only | Diploma, AP, dual credit |
| Typical cost | $225–$1,000/yr | $108–$378 per kit | $195–$7,390/yr |
Use this as a quick filter:
- Young children and a gentle start: CHC. Many families move to Seton or Kolbe later for high school records.
- You want everything in one box with outside grading: Seton.
- You love the classical model or want live online classes: Kolbe.
- You prefer to build your own: Combine a Catholic religion series with Memoria Press literature, Classical Academic Press Latin and a math program like Saxon, Teaching Textbooks or Singapore Math.
Also think about workload. Seton's traditional written work suits some kids and overwhelms others. If a child is struggling, ask Seton about its Special Services program for students with learning needs, which costs extra.
What it costs (and how to get it funded)
Catholic homeschooling can be very affordable. As of October 2026, CHC kits run $108.35 to $378.45 plus math. Seton charges $225 to $1,000 per student with books and grading included, plus a $30 new-family fee and extra charges for some math books and software. Kolbe ranges from $195 for Flex to $7,390 for Full-Time Online in high school.
Many state education savings accounts and scholarship programs allow curriculum and private school tuition, but each program decides what counts. Save your picks to your Edulist wishlist, then check scholarships for your state, such as Arizona, Florida or Ohio. You apply once and Edulist routes your application to programs that fit.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming every classical Christian program is Catholic. Memoria Press, Veritas Press and Classical Conversations are Christian but not Catholic. Check religion materials before buying.
- Enrolling for records you do not need in the early years. Many families use CHC or their own plan in elementary school and enroll for accreditation only in high school.
- Missing return rules. Seton lesson plans must be returned, and partial refunds shrink after shipment. CHC lesson plans are final sale and returns carry a 15% restocking fee.
- Forgetting math. CHC kits leave out math; budget for it from the start.
Explore more in the best Christian homeschool curriculum, the best classical homeschool curriculum and the best accredited online homeschool programs. Browse all Catholic homeschool curriculum on Edulist.
See all catholic homeschool curriculum →
Sources
- Seton Home Study School cost
- Seton Home Study School
- Catholic Heritage Curricula FAQ
- Catholic Heritage Curricula
- Kolbe Academy enrollment options
- Kolbe Academy
- Memoria Press: about
- Memoria Press Classical Core curriculum
- Classical Academic Press: Latin for Children
- Classical Academic Press: Song School Latin Book 1 Program
- Christianbook: Saxon Math homeschool
- Teaching Textbooks family plan
Questions
What is the most popular Catholic homeschool curriculum?
Seton Home Study School, Catholic Heritage Curricula and Kolbe Academy are the three best-known Catholic programs. Seton is traditional and accredited, CHC is gentle and inexpensive, and Kolbe is classical with flexible online options. Many families also build their own plan from Catholic and classical publishers.
Is Seton or Kolbe better?
Seton is cheaper and more traditional, with books, lesson plans and grading included for $225 to $1,000 a year. Kolbe is classical and more flexible, ranging from a $195 records-only tier to $7,390 for fully online classes. Choose Seton for an all-in-one, workbook-heavy program and Kolbe for classical depth or live classes.
Is there a free Catholic homeschool curriculum?
There is no complete, accredited Catholic curriculum that is free. Some families use free general curricula such as Khan Academy for math and add Catholic religion, saints and Scripture materials themselves. Catholic Heritage Curricula is the lowest-cost complete Catholic option, with kits from $108.35.
Do I need an accredited Catholic program?
Usually not. Most states do not require accreditation for homeschoolers. Seton and Kolbe offer accredited records if you want an outside transcript or diploma, especially for high school. Check your state's rules on our homeschool law pages.
Can a scholarship pay for Catholic homeschool curriculum?
Many state education savings account and scholarship programs allow curriculum or private school tuition, and Kolbe links to state funding information on its admissions page. Each program decides what qualifies. Save your picks to an Edulist wishlist and check your state's options.
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