Discovery K12
A free, secular online homeschool curriculum for Pre-K through 12th grade with 180 days of daily assignments in seven core subjects. It is a curriculum platform, not a school: parents are the teacher of record, and an optional $99-a-year Parent/Teacher Account adds grade books, answer keys, transcripts and diplomas.
What is Discovery K12?
Discovery K12 is a free online homeschool curriculum for Pre-K through 12th grade, run by DK12 Inc. and available since 2013. Despite the name, it is not an online school. There are no teachers, no enrollment and no accreditation. The parent is the teacher and the school of record, and Discovery K12 supplies a complete, day-by-day curriculum.
The core idea: give homeschool families a full, structured program for every grade without charging for it.
How it works
Each student gets a free account with a 180-day schedule of daily assignments. Students read lessons, watch videos, complete worksheets and research tasks, and take quizzes. Families can follow Discovery K12's school-year calendar, move ahead, go back or start anytime.
- It works on computers, tablets and phones.
- You can set different grade levels per subject, such as a lower math level.
- Mid-year and end-of-year assessment tests are built in.
- Parents teach, check work and keep records, which is where the optional $99 Parent/Teacher Account helps.
What it covers
| Area | What's included |
|---|---|
| Core courses | Reading/literature, language arts, math, history/social studies, science, visual and performing arts, PE |
| Electives (grades 2–12) | Spanish 1, HTML coding, healthy living, personal finance, business apps, Business 101, home economics |
| Extras | 36 weeks of STEM projects, a weekly spelling program with cursive, 150+ classic books and historic documents |
Who it's best for
Discovery K12 suits families who want a complete secular curriculum at no cost and are happy to teach and keep records themselves. It's not a fit if you need accredited records, teacher grading or live classes. Compare more free and secular homeschool options and all-in-one homeschool curriculum.
Pricing at a glance
The curriculum is free. The optional Parent/Teacher Account costs $99 per family per year and adds a grade book, attendance, answer keys, transcripts, diplomas and email support.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
You don't need one for the curriculum, since it's free. Some ESA programs may cover the $99 Parent/Teacher Account as a curriculum expense; each program decides. If you're looking to fund other learning costs, check your state on our scholarships hub, save products to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist. Before you start, review your state's homeschool laws.
How it compares
- Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool is the closest free alternative, with a Christian worldview.
- Khan Academy is free and excellent for math and science, but isn't a full curriculum.
- Time4Learning and Miacademy cost a monthly fee but add more interactive lessons and automatic grading.
- Power Homeschool adds video-based courses with automated grading for a low monthly price.
See our list of the best online homeschool programs.
Who Discovery K12 is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Families who want a complete homeschool curriculum for free
- Parents who are comfortable teaching and keeping records
- Families who want a secular, non-Common Core program
- Using as a supplement or a backup plan between other curricula
Look elsewhere if
- Families who need an accredited school or teacher grading
- Students who need live instruction or a teacher to answer questions
- Parents who want printed books and hands-on manipulatives
- Families in states that require enrollment in an accredited program
Discovery K12 pros and cons
Pros
- Full Pre-K–12 curriculum at no cost
- Clear daily assignments make it easy to stay on track
- Covers seven core subjects plus useful electives
- Affordable $99 family upgrade for transcripts and diplomas
- Works on phones, tablets and computers
Cons
- Not accredited and not a school; the parent is the teacher of record
- No teachers to grade work or explain concepts
- Answer keys and grade books require the paid upgrade
- Mostly reading and worksheet-based, which some kids find dry
- Doesn't accept transcripts from previous schools
What’s included
- Free student accounts with all curriculum included
- 180-day daily assignment schedule for Pre-K–12
- Seven main courses plus electives like Spanish 1, HTML coding and personal finance
- More than 20,000 lessons, 36 weeks of STEM projects and 150+ classic texts
- Weekly spelling program and 1,000+ quizzes and tests
- Optional Parent/Teacher Account with grade book, transcripts and diplomas
How much does Discovery K12 cost?
Discovery K12's full curriculum is free in student accounts. The optional Parent/Teacher Account costs $99 per family per year and adds a grade book, attendance tracking, quiz and test results, answer keys, reading and PE logs, scope and sequence, assessment test results, transcript and diploma generation, certificates of completion and email support.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student account | Free | Yearly | Free |
| Parent/Teacher Account | $99/yr | Yearly | $8.25/mo |
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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Discovery K12 FAQs
Is Discovery K12 really free?
Yes. Student accounts are free and include all of the curriculum. The only paid option is the Parent/Teacher Account at $99 per family per year, which adds reporting tools, answer keys, transcripts and diplomas.
Is Discovery K12 accredited?
No. Discovery K12 is a curriculum platform for independent homeschoolers, not a school, and its FAQ notes that only schools are accredited. The parent acts as the school and keeps all records.
Is Discovery K12 an online school?
No. Despite the name, it doesn't enroll students, employ teachers or award its own diplomas. It provides a free online curriculum that families use as homeschoolers under their state's laws.
Can my child get a high school diploma with Discovery K12?
As a homeschool parent, you issue the diploma. The Parent/Teacher Account includes tools to generate transcripts and diplomas, but these are homeschool records, not an accredited school diploma.
Is Discovery K12 secular?
Yes. Discovery K12 describes its curriculum as secular and non-Common Core. It covers reading and literature, language arts, math, history and social studies, science, visual and performing arts, and PE.
How long has Discovery K12 been around?
Its FAQ says the site has been available since September 2013. It's run by DK12 Inc. and says families in more than 75 countries use it.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: