Kolbe Academy
An accredited Catholic, classical homeschool program for preschool through 12th grade, with traditional homeschool enrollment, live online classes and self-paced courses that families can mix and match, plus a diploma program.
What is Kolbe Academy?
Kolbe Academy is an accredited Catholic homeschool program with more than 40 years of experience. It calls itself "authentically Catholic, classical home education." Families enroll as students of the school, which keeps records, issues transcripts and offers a diploma.
The core idea is choice. You can teach at home with Kolbe's courses, enroll in live online classes, use self-paced courses, or mix all three.
How Kolbe Academy works
Enrollment starts with an application. Then you pick a tier:
- Full-Time Flex. A traditional homeschool with records, transcripts, a diploma program and an advisor.
- Full-Time Standard. Adds digital courses, a $200 bookstore credit, the Classic Learning Test, and asynchronous art, PE and music.
- Full-Time Online. Built around live classes, with grading, homeroom, homework help and an advisor.
- Part-Time. One or two courses for grades 1–12, without a diploma.
Live classes meet online on a set schedule. In the traditional tiers, you teach and grade at home and Kolbe keeps the official records.
What Kolbe Academy covers
| Stage | Grades | What's offered |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool and elementary | PreK–5 | Traditional courses, K–5 live online classes, asynchronous arts and PE |
| Middle school | 6–8 | Live and asynchronous courses, Latin, literature, math and science |
| High school | 9–12 | Diploma program, honors and AP, dual credit in 11–12 |
Add-ons include labs, tutoring, special education support, accountability help and clubs.
Who it's best for
Kolbe fits Catholic families who want classical academics and the structure of an accredited school. It's especially useful in high school, when a transcript, diploma and outside grading matter more.
If you just want books and lesson plans without enrollment, Catholic Heritage Curricula is a gentler, lower-cost option. Seton Home Study School is another accredited Catholic homeschool program.
Kolbe Academy tuition at a glance
As of October 2026, Kolbe's 2026–27 rates are $195–$535 for Flex, $335–$995 for Standard and $2,390–$7,390 for Full-Time Online, depending on grade. Part-Time is $199. Families enrolling five or more students get a family discount, and second-semester discounts open November 2 for online enrollment.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Possibly. Kolbe links to state funding information on its admissions page and offers financial aid. ESA programs such as Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account and Florida's FES-UA often allow private school tuition and curriculum, but each program decides what it covers.
Save Kolbe Academy to your wishlist, then apply once on Edulist to the scholarship programs in your state.
How it compares
- Seton Home Study School is another accredited Catholic homeschool program to compare on cost and structure.
- Catholic Heritage Curricula sells gentle Catholic lesson plans with no enrollment.
- Memoria Press and Veritas Press are classical Christian programs that are not specifically Catholic.
Browse more Catholic homeschool curriculum, accredited homeschool programs or the best homeschool curriculum.
Who Kolbe Academy is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Catholic families who want an accredited diploma
- Families who want to mix parent-taught and live online classes
- High schoolers seeking honors, AP or dual credit
- Parents who want an advisor and official transcripts
Look elsewhere if
- Secular or non-Catholic families wanting neutral content
- Families who only want books and lesson plans
- Budget-limited families eyeing the Full-Time Online tier
Kolbe Academy pros and cons
Pros
- Accredited by Cognia and NAPCIS
- Flexible tiers from Flex to Full-Time Online
- Transcripts, records and an assigned advisor
- Honors, AP and dual credit options for high school
- Newman Guide recommended
Cons
- Full-Time Online can cost several thousand dollars per student
- Many extras are paid add-ons
- Grading is included only with Full-Time Online
- Prices by grade appear in images, making them hard to compare
What’s included
- Accredited by Cognia and NAPCIS
- Traditional homeschool, live online and asynchronous courses you can mix
- Full-Time Online, Full-Time Standard, Full-Time Flex and Part-Time enrollment
- Diploma program with grade records and transcripts
- Assigned advisor for enrolled families
- Classic Learning Test included in Full-Time Online and Standard
- Honors, AP and dual credit options for high school
- Recommended by the Cardinal Newman Society's Newman Guide
Kolbe Academy levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool and Elementary | Pre-K–5 | Traditional homeschool courses with optional live online classes for K–5, plus asynchronous art, PE and music. |
| Middle school | 6–8 | Live online and asynchronous courses alongside traditional homeschool courses; Latin and classical literature continue. |
| High school | 9–12 | Diploma program with honors, AP and dual credit options in grades 11–12, plus transcripts. |
How much does Kolbe Academy cost?
Kolbe's 2026–27 rates took effect August 1, 2026. Per its enrollment options page: Full-Time Flex costs $195–$535, Full-Time Standard $335–$995 (includes a $200 bookstore credit per student), Full-Time Online $2,390–$7,390, and Part-Time $199 for one course in grades 1–12. Ranges vary by grade. Books, extra courses, labs and support services are add-ons.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Flex, from | $195/yr | Yearly | $16.25/mo |
| Part-Time (1 course) | $199/yr | Yearly | $16.58/mo |
| Full-Time Standard, from | $335/yr | Yearly | $27.92/mo |
| Full-Time Online, from | $2,390/yr | Yearly | $199.17/mo |
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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Kolbe Academy FAQs
Is Kolbe Academy accredited?
Yes. Kolbe Academy is accredited by Cognia (through its Global Accreditation Commission) and by NAPCIS, the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools. It is also recognized in the Cardinal Newman Society's Newman Guide.
How much does Kolbe Academy cost?
For 2026–27, Full-Time Flex runs $195–$535, Full-Time Standard $335–$995 and Full-Time Online $2,390–$7,390 per year, depending on grade. Part-Time is $199 for one course.
What's the difference between Kolbe's enrollment types?
Flex gives records, transcripts and an advisor for a traditional homeschool. Standard adds a $200 bookstore credit, digital courses and the Classic Learning Test. Full-Time Online adds live classes and grading. Part-Time covers one or two courses without a diploma.
Does Kolbe Academy offer live online classes?
Yes. Live online courses run for preschool through 12th grade, and grades 6–12 can also take asynchronous self-paced courses. Families can add single live classes to other enrollment types.
Is Kolbe Academy Catholic?
Yes. Kolbe describes itself as authentically Catholic, classical home education. Faith is integrated throughout the curriculum.
Can I use ESA or scholarship money for Kolbe Academy?
Some families can. Kolbe links to state funding information on its admissions page and offers its own financial aid. Each ESA or scholarship program decides whether it covers Kolbe tuition or materials.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: