The Best Homeschool Curriculum for High School in 2026
Updated · By Edulist · 14 sources
Our top picks
How we chose
- Credit-ready coursesPicks offer full-year courses you can list on a transcript, such as Algebra 1, Biology with lab, and English I to IV, with clear scope.
- Transcript and diploma pathWe separate curricula where the parent issues the transcript from accredited schools that issue their own diploma, and note NCAA approval where published.
- College preparationWe favored programs with lab sciences, math through precalculus or calculus, strong writing and options for AP, CLEP or dual enrollment.
- IndependenceTeens should be able to work with little daily teaching. Video, text and auto-graded courses rank higher.
- Price as of October 2026Prices come from official tuition and pricing pages, including fees.
Rankings are editorial. Vendors can’t pay for placement. Prices and grades update from each listing.
1. Monarch
- Price
- From $9.16/mo
- Grades
- 3–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Course
Monarch from Alpha Omega Publications offers about 50 core courses and 60 electives for grades 3 to 12, with mostly automatic grading and a parent dashboard, so teens can work on their own. As of October 2026, Full Access is $43.95 a month or $439.95 a year per student, with a 30-day free trial. It is not accredited, so the parent issues the transcript and diploma.
Pros
- Broad catalog of high school courses and electives
- Students work independently
- Affordable yearly plan
Cons
- Not accredited
- Text-heavy; occasional glitches reported
Best for: Christian teens who want an independent online core with a parent transcript
2. Time4Learning
- Price
- From $5/mo
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Course
Time4Learning's high school includes English I to IV, Algebra I through precalculus and trigonometry, biology, chemistry, physics, US and world history, government, economics and electives. Students get four core subjects and three electives for $39.95 a month as of October 2026, with extra courses at $5 a month. It is not accredited and has no AP courses.
Pros
- Full high school course list for a low monthly price
- Automatic grading and records
- Secular
Cons
- No AP courses
- Math ends around precalculus
Best for: Secular families who want an affordable online core and will issue the transcript
3. Liberty University Online Academy
- Price
- From $45.75/mo
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- School, Course
Liberty University Online Academy is an accredited online Christian school (Cognia and ACSI) with NCAA-approved courses, Christian teachers and dual enrollment college courses for high schoolers. It charges $549 per full-year course; Liberty estimates 2026–27 high school costs at about $3,568.50 for a typical 6.5-credit year, plus a $75 technology fee. Dual enrollment courses cost $275 to $900 depending on credits.
Pros
- Accredited diploma and transcripts
- College credit through dual enrollment
- Teachers grade work
Cons
- Non-refundable fees add up
- Mostly independent online work
Best for: Christian teens who want an accredited diploma and college credit
4. Acellus Academy
- Price
- From $79/mo
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- School, Course
Acellus Academy is an accredited online private school (ACS WASC) with NCAA-approved high school core courses and Standard or Honors diploma pathways. One monthly tuition covers up to six courses. As of October 2026, Basic tuition is $249 a month, or $79 a month with the Roger Billings Scholarship. Lessons are short videos with automatic grading, which some teens find dry.
Pros
- Accredited diploma for $79 a month with the scholarship
- NCAA-approved core courses
- Self-paced
Cons
- Dry, repetitive video lessons
- Payments are non-refundable
Best for: Families who want an accredited diploma at the lowest cost
5. Abeka
- Price
- From $128.40/mo
- Grades
- Pre-K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books, Course, School
Abeka Academy streams recorded Christian classroom lessons for grades 9 to 12, with books shipped home. The accredited option (FACCS and MSA-CESS) includes report cards, transcripts and a diploma. As of October 2026, accredited video with books costs $188.40 a month on a 10-month plan, or $178.40 unaccredited. Days are long, and the outlook is firmly fundamentalist.
Pros
- Teachers present every lesson
- Accredited diploma
- Structured, predictable days
Cons
- Long school days
- Restocking fees after 30 days
Best for: Christian teens who do best with classroom-style teaching
6. Florida Virtual School
- Price
- From $350 one-time
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- School, Course
Florida Virtual School is Florida's statewide online public school, accredited by Cognia, with Florida-certified teachers and NCAA-approved core courses, including many AP options. Florida residents, including homeschoolers, take courses free through FLVS Flex. Students elsewhere pay $475 per standard course per semester through FlexPoint Virtual School as of October 2026. Flex does not issue a diploma.
Pros
- Free for Florida residents
- Certified teachers and accredited credit
- Take only the courses you need
Cons
- Out-of-state tuition adds up
- Flex issues no diploma
Best for: Homeschoolers who want accredited, teacher-led courses one at a time
7. MiaPrep
- Price
- From $45/mo
- Grades
- 7–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Course, School
MiaPrep is a secular, self-paced online curriculum for grades 7 to 12 from the makers of Miacademy, with video lessons, quizzes, electives and a moderated teen community. As of October 2026, the curriculum is $54 a month or $540 a year. MiaPrep Online High School, the accredited version with teachers and a diploma, is $440 a month or $4,840 a year.
Pros
- Engaging videos and teen community
- Upgrade path to an accredited diploma
- Electives included
Cons
- Curriculum version leaves the parent as teacher of record
- Fewer independent reviews than Miacademy
Best for: Teens who liked Miacademy and want the same style for high school
8. Math Academy
- Price
- $49/mo
- Grades
- 4–12 · College · Adult
- Type
- App, Course
Math Academy is an adaptive online math program that places students with a diagnostic and moves them through Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus and AP Calculus, plus university-level courses, using spaced review. It costs $49 a month per student as of October 2026, with a full refund in the first 30 days. It is demanding and rewards consistent daily work.
Pros
- Efficient, adaptive path to calculus
- Diagnostic fills gaps
- Students work alone
Cons
- No free trial
- Demanding
Best for: College-bound teens who want strong, efficient math
9. 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 animated lectures, step-by-step solutions and automatic grading. As of October 2026, Algebra 1 and Geometry cost $79.95 and Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus $83.95 per student for 12 months, or $239.95 for a family plan. It paces behind some programs, so strong students may outgrow it.
Pros
- Clear, patient explanations
- Low price
- Fully independent
Cons
- Less rigorous than some programs
- Ends at Pre-Calculus
Best for: Teens who need patient, independent math
10. Apologia Exploring Creation Science
- Price
- See site
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books, Course
Apologia's high school courses in biology, chemistry and physics are written to the student, with labs, and are among the most widely used Christian homeschool science texts. The series is creation-based. As of 2026 retail listings, high school textbooks run about $70 to $95, with notebooks, tests, lab kits and video sold separately. Physics is hard to do alone.
Pros
- Full lab-science sequence
- Written for independent study
- Lots of support resources
Cons
- Costs add up with kits and notebooks
- Creation-based framing
Best for: Christian teens who need transcript-ready lab sciences
11. Science Shepherd
- Price
- From $74 one-time
- Grades
- 1–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Course, Books
Science Shepherd offers video-taught Christian science by Dr. Scott Hardin, including a CLEP-ready high school Biology with lab videos and dissections, plus Chemistry and Physics. As of October 2026, the Biology video course is $200 at regular price, with lifetime streaming access. Textbooks are dense, at about a 10th to 11th grade reading level.
Pros
- A teacher on video for every lesson
- Biology prepares for the CLEP exam
- Lifetime video access
Cons
- Dense textbooks
- Strong anti-evolution messaging
Best for: Teens who learn science best from a video teacher
12. Brave Writer
- Price
- From $79 one-time
- Grades
- K–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Course
Brave Writer's High School Writers Bundle (ages 13 to 14) and College Prep Writers Bundle (ages 15 to 18) teach essay writing, literary analysis and research through month-long projects and literature handbooks. As of October 2026, the 2026–2027 bundles cost $297 and $347. It is parent-led and not scripted, and digital sales are final.
Pros
- Builds real essay and analysis skills
- Literature-based
- Secular
Cons
- High parent involvement
- Books bought separately
Best for: Teens preparing for college-level writing
13. Khan Academy
- Price
- From $3.67/mo
- Grades
- K–12 · College
- Type
- App, Course
Khan Academy offers free, ad-free high school math through calculus, biology, chemistry, physics, economics, US history, grammar and official SAT practice, plus AP-aligned courses. Parents can assign work and track progress. The optional Khanmigo AI tutor is $4 a month as of October 2026. It is a supplement, not an accredited school.
Pros
- Free, high-quality math and science
- Strong SAT and AP review
- Parent tools
Cons
- No transcripts or credit
- Writing support is thin
Best for: Every homeschooled teen who wants free review and test prep
Quick comparison
| Pick | Type | Diploma | Price from (Oct 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monarch | Online curriculum | Parent-issued | $43.95/mo | Independent Christian |
| Time4Learning | Online curriculum | Parent-issued | $39.95/mo | Independent secular |
| Liberty University Online Academy | Accredited school | School-issued | $549 per course | Christian, dual enrollment |
| Acellus Academy | Accredited school | School-issued | $79/mo with scholarship | Budget accredited |
| Abeka Academy | Accredited video school | School-issued | $188.40/mo | Video classroom |
| Florida Virtual School | Public courses | Full Time only | Free in Florida; $475/course/semester elsewhere | A la carte courses |
| MiaPrep | Curriculum or accredited school | Either | $54/mo | Engaging online |
| Math Academy | Math | n/a | $49/mo | Calculus-bound |
| Teaching Textbooks | Math | n/a | $79.95 (Algebra 1) | Gentle math |
| Apologia | Science | n/a | About $70–$95 per text | Christian lab science |
| Science Shepherd | Science | n/a | $200 (Biology video) | Video science |
| Brave Writer | Writing | n/a | $297 (High School bundle) | Essay writing |
| Khan Academy | Supplement | n/a | Free | AP and SAT prep |
How to choose homeschool curriculum for high school
Step 1: Decide who issues the transcript
This one decision shapes everything else.
- You issue it. Use any curriculum (Monarch, Time4Learning, MiaPrep, or a mix of Math Academy, Apologia and Brave Writer), keep course records, and build the transcript with our homeschool transcript generator and GPA calculator. This is the most flexible and least expensive route.
- A school issues it. Enroll in an accredited program like Liberty, Acellus or Abeka Academy. See the best accredited online homeschool programs for more.
- A mix. Homeschool most subjects, and take a few accredited or teacher-led courses through FLVS, Liberty's single courses or dual enrollment at a local college.
Step 2: Map four years of credits
| Area | Typical college-prep goal | Picks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 credits | Time4Learning English I–IV, Brave Writer, Monarch |
| Math | 3–4 credits through Algebra 2 or beyond | Math Academy, Teaching Textbooks, Khan Academy |
| Lab science | 3 credits | Apologia, Science Shepherd, Time4Learning |
| Social studies | 3 credits | Monarch, Time4Learning, FLVS |
| World language | 2 credits often recommended | Outschool, FLVS, Monarch electives |
Check your state's requirements on our homeschool law pages, and check target colleges' homeschool admission pages.
Step 3: Match the format to your teen
Self-starters thrive with Monarch, Time4Learning or Math Academy. Teens who need a teacher's voice do better with Abeka's videos, Science Shepherd or Liberty's teachers. College-bound students benefit from dual enrollment, AP courses through FLVS, or CLEP exams like the one Science Shepherd's Biology prepares for.
What it costs (and how to get it funded)
As of October 2026, a homeschool high school year can cost under $600 with an online curriculum you oversee (Monarch at $439.95 a year or Time4Learning at about $480 a year), about $1,000 with a mix of strong subject programs, roughly $950 to $3,600 for accredited online schools like Acellus (scholarship rate) or Liberty, and about $1,880 a year for Abeka Academy accredited video. FLVS courses are free for Florida residents.
Many state education savings accounts and scholarship programs allow curriculum, online courses and private school tuition for high schoolers, and some allow dual enrollment costs. Each program decides. Save your picks to your Edulist wishlist, then check scholarships for your state, such as Florida, Arizona, Texas or North Carolina. You apply once and Edulist routes your application to programs that fit.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until senior year to build a transcript. Record courses, books and grades every semester.
- Skipping lab science. Many colleges expect lab sciences. Apologia, Science Shepherd and REAL Science Odyssey Level 2 include labs.
- Paying for accreditation you do not need. Colleges accept homeschool transcripts; pay for accreditation to solve a specific need, such as NCAA eligibility or returning to school.
- Ignoring test prep. Free Khan Academy SAT practice and AP or CLEP exams give colleges outside evidence of your teen's work.
Coming from middle school? See the best homeschool curriculum for middle school. Comparing schools? Read the best accredited online homeschool programs and the best online homeschool programs. Browse all high school homeschool curriculum on Edulist.
Go deeper with the best online high school programs, the best high school math curriculum and the best SAT prep for teens.
See all high school homeschool curriculum →
Sources
- Monarch All Access yearly
- Time4Learning ninth grade curriculum
- Liberty University Online Academy tuition and fees
- Acellus Academy enrollment pathways
- Abeka Academy pricing
- FLVS school options
- MiaPrep Online High School
- Math Academy FAQ
- Teaching Textbooks FAQs
- Cathy Duffy: Apologia junior and senior high science
- Science Shepherd
- Brave Writer College Prep Writers Bundle 2026–2027
- Khan Academy about
- How Do I Homeschool: high school curriculum packages
Questions
Can homeschoolers get into college without an accredited diploma?
Yes. Colleges routinely admit homeschoolers with parent-issued transcripts, especially when supported by test scores, dual enrollment grades, AP or CLEP results and a clear course description list. Check each college's homeschool admission page for specific requirements.
How many credits does a homeschool high schooler need?
It depends on your state's homeschool law and your teen's goals. Many families aim for about 24 credits, including four years of English, three to four of math, three of lab science and three of social studies, plus electives. Look up your state's rules on our homeschool law pages.
How do I make a homeschool transcript?
List each course, the year taken, the credit earned and the grade, then calculate a GPA. Our free homeschool transcript generator and GPA calculator walk you through it. Accredited schools like Liberty, Acellus and Abeka Academy issue their own transcripts instead.
What is the best online homeschool high school?
For a curriculum you supervise, Monarch (Christian) and Time4Learning (secular) are the strongest values. For an accredited school, Acellus Academy is the lowest-cost option and Liberty University Online Academy adds teachers and dual enrollment. Florida residents can take FLVS courses free.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for high school curriculum or online school?
Often. Curriculum, online courses and private school tuition are common allowed expenses in state education savings account and scholarship programs, but each program decides. Save your picks to an Edulist wishlist and check your state's options.
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