The Best High School Math Curriculum for 2026 (Algebra to Calculus)
Updated · By Edulist · 12 sources
Our top picks
How we chose
- Covers the core sequenceEvery pick covers at least Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2. Most continue to precalculus or calculus.
- Transcript-readyHigh school math needs grades. We favored programs with tests, gradebooks or accreditation, and say which are accredited.
- Teaching without the parentFew parents want to reteach Algebra 2. Video lessons, worked solutions, live classes or adaptive feedback count heavily.
- College and test readinessWe looked at how far each program goes and how well it prepares for the SAT, ACT and AP exams.
- Verified pricingPrices come from publisher pages or major retailers as of October 2026.
Rankings are editorial. Vendors can’t pay for placement. Prices and grades update from each listing.
1. Math Academy
- Price
- $49/mo
- Grades
- 4–12 · College · Adult
- Type
- App, Course
Math Academy runs Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus and AP Calculus AB and BC as adaptive online courses with spaced review and mastery checks. Courses are accredited by ACS WASC and come with graded transcripts, which solves the record-keeping problem for many homeschoolers. It costs $49 a month per student, with a full refund in the first 30 days (October 2026). It is demanding and gamification-free.
Pros
- Accredited courses with graded transcripts
- Efficient, personalized pacing
- Goes beyond AP Calculus to university math
Cons
- No free trial, only a 30-day refund
- Little encouragement for reluctant students
Best for: Motivated students who need credit and want to go far
2. Teaching Textbooks
- Price
- From $4.08/mo
- Grades
- 3–12
- Type
- App, Curriculum
Teaching Textbooks offers Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus in an app with an animated lecture for every lesson, step-by-step solutions for every problem and an automatic gradebook. Algebra 1 and Geometry are $79.95 and Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus $83.95 per student for 12 months (October 2026). It is not accredited, so parents record grades on their own transcript.
Pros
- Students work alone; parents don't grade
- Patient, clear explanations
- Free 15-lesson trial
Cons
- Gentler pace than many programs
- Stops at Pre-Calculus
Best for: Students who need clear explanations and independence
3. Saxon Math
- Price
- From $74.99 one-time
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Saxon's high school sequence runs Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Advanced Mathematics and Calculus, all with incremental lessons and daily mixed review. Kits ran up to about $204 at Christianbook in October 2026 (Algebra 1 with solutions manual). Students work from the text, and many families add video help. Long problem sets and a procedure-first style are the trade-offs.
Pros
- Mixed review builds long-term retention
- Goes all the way to calculus
Cons
- Long lessons
- Textbook only unless you add video support
Best for: Students who like routine and textbook learning
4. Art of Problem Solving
- Price
- From $465 one-time
- Grades
- 5–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books, Course
Art of Problem Solving's Introduction and Intermediate series cover algebra, counting and probability, number theory, geometry, precalculus and calculus at a level well beyond typical courses. Textbooks with solutions cost about $47–$74, live online courses are priced per course, and AoPS Online is accredited by ACS WASC (October 2026). It's hard by design.
Pros
- Deepest problem-solving training available
- Accredited live classes
- Prepares for AMC, AIME and STEM majors
Cons
- Very demanding
- Live classes are expensive
Best for: Students headed for contests or STEM
5. Math-U-See
- Price
- From $5.83/mo
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books
Math-U-See continues its video-plus-blocks method through Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, PreCalculus and Calculus, with mastery pacing and built-in review. It suits students who came up through Math-U-See or who need math explained concretely. Geometry is lighter than most courses, so some families add a separate geometry text.
Pros
- Clear video lessons from one teacher
- Mastery pace suits students who struggled
Cons
- Lighter geometry
- Plain workbooks
Best for: Students who need concepts made concrete
6. Khan Academy
- Price
- From $3.67/mo
- Grades
- K–12 · College
- Type
- App, Course
Khan Academy offers free high school courses from Algebra 1 through AP Calculus with videos, mastery practice and unit tests, plus official SAT practice. It is free and ad-free; the optional Khanmigo AI tutor is $4 a month (October 2026). It is not accredited and doesn't issue transcripts.
Pros
- Free for every course
- Strong AP and SAT prep
Cons
- Not accredited; you keep records
- Little live help
Best for: Budget families and students who need a second explanation
7. CTC Math
- Price
- From $21.42/mo
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- App, Curriculum
CTC Math includes algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus in one membership that also covers every lower grade. Standard prices are $257 a year for one student or $397 for a family, and a half-price homeschool rate has been offered (October 2026). Short videos and auto-grading make it easy to run. CTC Math does not claim accreditation.
Pros
- Every level in one price
- Easy to review earlier topics
Cons
- Light on hard word problems
- Plain presentation
Best for: Families with several students or gaps to fill
8. Outschool
- Price
- See site
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Course, Tutoring
Outschool is a marketplace of live online classes, including full-semester Algebra 1, Geometry and test prep courses taught by independent teachers. Teachers set prices, commonly from under $10 to over $200 per class or course. Quality varies by teacher, so read reviews and try a short class first.
Pros
- Real teachers and classmates
- Huge choice of courses and schedules
Cons
- Quality varies by teacher
- Not accredited; refund window is short
Best for: Students who want live instruction without enrolling in a school
9. Brilliant
- Price
- From $20/mo
- Grades
- 5–12 · College · Adult
- Type
- App, Course
Brilliant teaches algebra, logic, probability, data and coding through interactive problems, with an AI tutor named Koji. Premium is $20 a month billed annually or $30 month to month (October 2026), and there is a free tier with 2 lessons a day. It is not a credit course, but it deepens understanding alongside one.
Pros
- Interactive, intuitive explanations
- Great for data and probability
Cons
- Not structured for credit
- Requires self-motivation
Best for: Teens who like math and want more depth
Quick comparison
| Pick | Courses | Format | Price from (Oct 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math Academy | Algebra I to AP Calculus BC | Adaptive online, accredited | $49/mo | Credit and speed |
| Teaching Textbooks | Algebra 1 to Pre-Calculus | App | $79.95 a course | Independence |
| Saxon Math | Algebra 1 to Calculus | Textbook | About $204 kit (Alg 1) | Steady review |
| Art of Problem Solving | Algebra to Calculus, contest | Books + live classes, accredited | About $47 a book | Advanced students |
| Math-U-See | Algebra 1 to Calculus | Video + workbook | See publisher store | Visual learners |
| Khan Academy | Algebra 1 to AP Calculus | Online | Free | Budget, SAT prep |
| CTC Math | Algebra to Calculus | Online video | $257/yr (standard) | Families |
| Outschool | Varies by teacher | Live classes | Set by teacher | Live instruction |
| Brilliant | Enrichment | Interactive | Free; $20/mo billed yearly | Curious teens |
How to choose the best high school math curriculum
Decide how you'll handle credit. If you want an outside grade on the record, choose an accredited option: Math Academy or AoPS Online classes. If you'll issue your own transcript, any program with tests works; use the free homeschool transcript generator and GPA calculator to record it.
Pick a sequence and stick to it. Switching publishers between Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 is the most common source of gaps, because publishers split topics differently. If you must switch, do it after Geometry and use the new placement test.
Match the teaching source to your teen.
| Your teen | Teaching source | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Learns from video | Recorded lessons | Teaching Textbooks, CTC Math, Math-U-See |
| Learns from reading and examples | Textbook | Saxon, AoPS |
| Needs to move fast | Adaptive software | Math Academy |
| Needs a live teacher | Live classes or tutor | Outschool, AoPS Online, tutoring |
Plan backward from goals. A teen aiming for engineering should reach precalculus by 11th grade and calculus by 12th. That usually means Algebra 1 in 8th or 9th grade. A teen headed for a trade or a non-STEM major may do well with Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 and a statistics or consumer math course.
Plan for test prep. Khan Academy's free official SAT practice pairs with any curriculum. See our Khan Academy SAT listing for details.
What it costs (and how to get it funded)
As of October 2026, a year of high school math costs nothing with Khan Academy, about $80 with Teaching Textbooks, around $200 for a Saxon kit, $257 a year for CTC Math, and $588 a year for Math Academy at $49 a month. AoPS live courses and Outschool semester classes can run several hundred dollars per course. A tutor for a hard semester adds more; see the best online math tutoring.
Many state education savings accounts and scholarship programs cover curriculum, online courses and sometimes tutoring for high schoolers; each program decides what qualifies. Save your picks to your Edulist wishlist, then find scholarships for your state, such as Arizona, Florida or Texas.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until 11th grade to think about credit. Decide in 9th grade how you'll grade and record math.
- Switching publishers mid-sequence. It creates gaps. If you must, switch after Geometry.
- Letting an app run unchecked. Look at scores weekly; a quiet slide in Algebra 2 is hard to recover in senior year.
- Underestimating Geometry proofs. Proof-based geometry is new for most teens. Budget extra time or a tutor.
Comparing options? Read Brilliant vs Khan Academy. Coming from middle school? See the best middle school math curriculum. Browse all high school math programs.
See all high school math programs →
Sources
Questions
How many years of math does a high schooler need?
Most colleges expect at least three years, usually Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2, and many selective colleges prefer four, including precalculus or calculus. Check your state's homeschool rules and the admissions pages of colleges your teen is considering.
Does high school math need to be accredited?
Not usually for homeschoolers. Parents in most states issue their own transcripts. Accredited courses like Math Academy or AoPS Online can add outside validation, which some families like for college applications or a later return to school.
Should Geometry come before or after Algebra 2?
The most common US order is Algebra 1, Geometry, then Algebra 2. Teaching Textbooks recommends that order too. Saxon sells 3rd and 4th editions with a separate Geometry kit, and retailers suggest either Geometry or Algebra 2 in 10th grade, so follow the guidance for your edition.
How do I grade high school math at home?
Use the program's tests and gradebook, then convert to letter grades on a consistent scale. Our free homeschool transcript generator and GPA calculator help you turn those grades into a transcript.
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