AmblesideOnline
A free, Christian, Charlotte Mason homeschool curriculum with booklists and optional weekly schedules for Year 0 (kindergarten) through Year 12, built on living books, narration and nature study.
What is AmblesideOnline?
AmblesideOnline (AO) is a free homeschool curriculum based on Charlotte Mason's principles. A volunteer advisory launched it on July 4, 2001, and the AmblesideOnline Educational Foundation holds the rights today. It is Christian, and it covers Year 0 (kindergarten) through Year 12.
The core idea is simple: children learn best from "living books," meaning well-written books by authors who love their subject. Kids listen or read, then tell back what they learned. That retelling, called narration, replaces most worksheets and tests.
How AmblesideOnline works
Each Year has a booklist and an optional weekly schedule built on a 36-week school year. Books are spread across a full term, so your child reads a little from several books each week instead of racing through one.
A typical early-years morning might include a Bible reading, a history chapter, a poem, five to ten minutes of copywork, phonics, math and a short nature reading. Lessons are short and varied. Afternoons are left for handicrafts, outdoor time and free reading.
The parent's role is large. You read aloud in the early years, listen to narrations, pick a math and phonics program, and build your own daily plan from the weekly schedule. By Years 4 and 5, most children read their own books. Support comes from a free volunteer forum.
What it covers
| Stage | Years | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Year 0 | Read-alouds, outdoor time, no formal lessons |
| Elementary | Years 1–6 | History, tales, geography, nature study, poetry, picture study, composers |
| Bridge options | Year 3.5, Pre-7 | Extra time for kids who need it |
| Upper years | Years 7–12 | Plutarch, Shakespeare, second pass through history, written narration |
History runs on a six-year chronological rotation that is covered twice, with a focus on Western, British and American history. Artists, composers, hymns and folk songs rotate each term, and the whole family can share them. Grammar starts lightly around Year 4. Math and phonics are your choice.
Who it's best for
AmblesideOnline fits families who already like the Charlotte Mason approach, enjoy reading aloud and want rich, older books. It is a strong pick for budget-minded families and for parents who want to understand the method rather than follow a script.
Look elsewhere if you want open-and-go daily plans. Simply Charlotte Mason and Wayfarers give more structure. Secular families may prefer Blossom and Root. Compare more options in Charlotte Mason homeschool curriculum.
Pricing at a glance
The curriculum is free, as of October 2026. Your costs are books, a math program, a phonics program and art supplies. The Year 1 booklist flags which titles to buy first on a strict budget, and many others are free online or at the library.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
There's no fee to cover, but the books and math program you buy may qualify. ESA programs such as Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account and Florida's FES-UA often allow curriculum and book purchases, and each program sets its own rules. Some programs limit religious materials, so check yours before buying.
Save AmblesideOnline and the books you need to your wishlist, then apply once on Edulist to the scholarship programs in your state.
How AmblesideOnline compares
- Simply Charlotte Mason sells scheduled guides with more hand-holding.
- Wayfarers blends Charlotte Mason and classical methods with day-by-day plans.
- Heart of Dakota and Sonlight are paid, literature-rich programs with full instructor guides.
- Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool is another free option, but it runs online and is less book-focused.
See all picks in best homeschool curriculum or browse Christian homeschool curriculum.
Who AmblesideOnline is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Families committed to the Charlotte Mason method on a tight budget
- Parents who enjoy reading aloud and planning their own days
- Families who want rigorous, older literature and history
- Christian families who want faith woven through every subject
Look elsewhere if
- Parents who want scripted, open-and-go daily lesson plans
- Secular families who don't want to swap out Christian materials
- Families who want math and phonics included
- Kids who need a lot of screen-based or hands-on structure
AmblesideOnline pros and cons
Pros
- Completely free, including schedules and forum support
- Covers K–12, including a full high school sequence
- High-quality living books instead of textbooks
- Many books are public domain and free online
- Shared artists, composers and hymns let siblings learn together
Cons
- Heavy read-aloud and planning load for the parent
- Math and phonics are not included
- Older books can feel hard for some kids, especially in the upper years
- Support comes from a volunteer forum, not paid staff
- History leans toward Western, British and American history
What’s included
- Free booklists for Year 0 through Year 12, plus Year 3.5 and Pre-7 options
- Optional weekly schedules based on a 36-week year
- Six-year chronological history rotation, covered twice
- Narration, copywork and dictation in place of worksheets
- Rotating artists, composers, hymns and folk songs each term
- Free online links for many public-domain books
- Free volunteer-run support forum
AmblesideOnline levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Year 0 | Kindergarten | A gentle kindergarten year of read-alouds, outdoor time and play before formal lessons begin. |
| Years 1–6 | 1–6 | Living books in history, literature, geography and nature study with oral narration. Copywork starts in Year 1; grammar starts lightly around Year 4. Year 3.5 is an optional bridge year. |
| Years 7–12 | 7–12 | Upper years add Plutarch, Shakespeare, written narration and the second pass through history. Pre-7 and a five-year option for the upper years are available. |
There is no test. AO suggests starting Year 1 after a child turns six and moving up one Year per age, then adjusting by reading ability. The FAQ explains how older beginners can start.
Official AmblesideOnline placement test ↗How much does AmblesideOnline cost?
AmblesideOnline charges nothing for its curriculum, schedules or forum (as of October 2026). Your real cost is books. Many titles are public domain and linked free online, and the Year 1 booklist includes a short 'strict budget' list of titles worth buying first. The site earns small affiliate commissions from Living Book Press, Christianbook and Amazon, which keep it free.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full curriculum, all years | Free | One-time | Free |
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
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AmblesideOnline FAQs
Is AmblesideOnline really free?
Yes. The curriculum, weekly schedules and forum cost nothing. You pay only for the books you choose to buy, and many are free online or at the library.
Is AmblesideOnline Christian or secular?
It is Christian. Bible reading and hymns are scheduled, and faith runs through the book choices. Non-Christian families use it too, but AO does not provide secular swaps.
Does AmblesideOnline include math and phonics?
No. AO leaves math and reading instruction to the parent. It suggests options on its Math and Language Arts pages, such as 100 Easy Lessons or Alpha-Phonics for reading.
What age should my child start Year 1?
AO recommends starting Year 1 after a child turns six, roughly first grade. Year 0 serves as a gentle kindergarten year. Older beginners can start at a lower Year and move faster.
Can I use AmblesideOnline for high school?
Yes. Years 7 through 12 form a full high school sequence with history, literature, Plutarch, Shakespeare, science and government. Parents create their own transcripts.
How many hours a day does AmblesideOnline take?
Lessons are short and mostly done in the morning, with afternoons left for handicrafts and play. AO does not publish a daily total, and time grows as kids get older.
Can an ESA pay for AmblesideOnline books?
Many ESA programs allow curriculum and book purchases, but each program sets its own rules. Save AmblesideOnline to your Edulist wishlist and check the programs in your state.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: