Torchlight Curriculum
Secular, literature-based homeschool curriculum with humanist underpinnings for roughly ages 4–14. Each level is a downloadable PDF guide with 36 weeks of plans for literature, history, science, art and a signature extra subject like mythology or logic.
What is Torchlight?
Torchlight is a secular homeschool curriculum built around great books, open discussion and hands-on projects. The company describes "a distinctively secular approach with Humanist underpinnings." Lessons stress kindness, questioning, scientific thinking and empathy, and the book lists lean modern and diverse.
Each level is a downloadable PDF guide. Pre-K covers every subject. From kindergarten on, Torchlight focuses on literature, history, science, art and one signature subject per level, and families add their own math and reading programs.
How it works
A level gives you 36 weeks of daily and weekly plans. You can follow the schedule or treat it as a flexible checklist. Literature is meant to be read aloud, with audiobook options. The guides add writing projects, art, engineering and hands-on activities, plus ideas for game-schooling, car-schooling and bedtime stories.
The FAQ suggests a daily rhythm of about 15 minutes per year of a child's age. Torchlight encourages combining siblings close in age, with open-ended writing and extension lists for older kids. There are no tests.
You print the guide yourself and source the books from the library, used sellers or new. Guides flag any passing religious content in the books and suggest alternates.
What it covers
| Level | Title | Ages | Signature extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-K | Curiosity and Character | 4–5 | Emotional intelligence; all subjects |
| K | Worldly Wisdom | 5–7 | Cultural studies and cooking |
| 1 | Myth and Magic | 6–9 | World mythology |
| 2 | Logic and Legends | 7–11 | Logic |
| 3 | Innovation and Inquiry | 8–12 | Innovation |
| 4 | Ideas and Identity | 9–13 | Moral philosophy |
| 5 | Equity and Ethics | 10–14 | Social studies and geography |
Level 1 covers the ancient world through the fall of Rome, and Level 2 the medieval world. Constellation Literature Studies offer literature-only options for Levels 1–5 and Level 6 and up. Science is often built on a separate program. Level 1 schedules Torchlight's own Scientific Connections through Inquiry, and Level 2 will use the next SCI level once it is published, with suggested alternatives in the meantime.
Who it's best for
Torchlight suits secular or humanist families who love reading together, enjoy projects and want books that reflect many cultures and viewpoints. It works well for siblings close in age and for families with a strong library nearby.
It is a poor fit if you want a low-prep box with everything included, or if you need math and reading built in. Families wanting a complete secular boxed program may prefer BookShark.
Pricing at a glance
As of October 2026, guides cost $32 for Pre-K or K, $42 for Levels 1 and 2, $47 for Levels 3 and 4, and $52 for Level 5. Bundles with extras run $43 to $76. PDFs are non-refundable, and books, printing and math are extra. Sales of about 10–15% usually run in late June and late November.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Often, as curriculum. Arizona's ESA law allows "curricula and supplementary materials," and Florida's PEP handbook lists curriculum as eligible. Programs vary on digital downloads, so confirm with yours. Our homeschool scholarship and ESA guide explains the basics, and state pages like Arizona and Florida cover program rules.
Save Torchlight to your wishlist on Edulist, then apply once to programs that may help pay.
How it compares
- Build Your Library is the closest secular rival, runs through 12th grade, and leans more Charlotte Mason with a heavier reading load.
- Blossom and Root is a gentler, nature-centered secular option for younger kids.
- Moving Beyond the Page offers secular, project-based units with more materials included.
Find more in secular homeschool curriculum and elementary homeschool curriculum, or see the best secular homeschool curriculum.
Who Torchlight Curriculum is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Secular or humanist families who want inclusive, modern books
- Kids who love hands-on projects alongside reading
- Families combining siblings close in age
- Parents with a strong library system nearby
Look elsewhere if
- Families wanting a low-prep, open-and-go box
- Parents who need math and reading instruction included
- Families looking for a religious worldview
Torchlight Curriculum pros and cons
Pros
- Clearly secular with thoughtful notes on religious content in books
- Diverse, modern literature selections
- A signature extra subject in each level, like logic or moral philosophy
- Affordable PDFs with free sample weeks
- Active parent community
Cons
- No math or reading instruction after Pre-K
- Many books to source and pages to print
- Science may rely on a separate program, and the Level 2 science book is not yet published
- Non-refundable digital purchases
What’s included
- Levels Pre-K, K and 1–5, plus Constellation Literature Studies
- 36 weeks of daily and weekly plans in each level
- One extra subject per level: emotional intelligence, mythology, logic, innovation, moral philosophy
- Diverse, modern booklists with notes flagging passing religious content
- Hands-on projects, game-schooling, car-schooling and media suggestions
- Free sample week and a Level Placement Tool
- Supportive Facebook community and buy/sell/trade group
Torchlight Curriculum levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Level Pre-K: Curiosity and Character | Pre-K | Ages 4–5. Covers all subjects, including math, plus emotional intelligence. |
| Level K: Worldly Wisdom | Kindergarten | Ages 5–7. Literature, poetry, character building, science, social studies, art, and cultural studies with cooking. 36 weeks. |
| Level 1: Myth and Magic | 1–2 | Ages 6–9. The ancient world from early humans to the fall of Rome, with world mythology. |
| Level 2: Logic and Legends | 2–3 | Ages 7–11. The medieval world through nonfiction and legends, adding logic, vocabulary and grammar. |
| Level 3: Innovation and Inquiry | 3–4 | Ages 8–12. Innovation is the signature subject. |
| Level 4: Ideas and Identity | 4–5 | Ages 9–13. Adds moral philosophy and begins a novel-writing project. |
| Level 5: Equity and Ethics | 5–8 | Ages 10–14. A social studies core with a geography spotlight, history woven in. |
Torchlight's Level Placement Tool helps choose a level. Levels roughly match grades but lean advanced, so many families use a lower level with older children.
Official Torchlight Curriculum placement test ↗How much does Torchlight Curriculum cost?
As of October 2026, Level Pre-K and Level K are $32 each, Levels 1 and 2 are $42, Levels 3 and 4 are $47, and Level 5 is $52. Bundles add extras: Pre-K bundle $43, Level 1 bundle with bookmarks $45, Level 2 bundle $62 and Level 5 bundle $76. Everything is a digital PDF; no physical materials ship.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level Pre-K or Level K PDF | $32 | One-time | — |
| Level 1 or Level 2 PDF | $42 | One-time | — |
| Level 3 or Level 4 PDF | $47 | One-time | — |
| Level 5 PDF | $52 | One-time | — |
| Level 5 Bundle | $76 | One-time | — |
Free trial: No trial, but each level offers a free downloadable sample week.
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.
View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Reviewers describe Torchlight as genuinely secular with outstanding book choices and plenty of hands-on work. The most common drawbacks are missing subjects and the effort of sourcing books and printing.
Common praise
- Diverse, modern literature
- Notes that flag religious content in books
- Lots of hands-on activities and extras
- Easy to combine siblings
Common complaints
- Math and reading must be added after Pre-K
- Significant work sourcing books and printing
- Uneven weekly reading loads in some levels
Sources: secularhomeschooler.com · our experience with torchlight secular curriculum levels one · thehomeschoolgraduate.com · torchlight curriculum · naturehomeschool.com · torchlight curriculum review for level 1 and k
Torchlight Curriculum family reviews
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Torchlight Curriculum FAQs
Is Torchlight curriculum secular?
Yes. Torchlight describes a distinctly secular approach with humanist underpinnings. Religion is treated academically, and the guides flag passing religious mentions in books so parents can decide how to handle them.
Does Torchlight include math and reading?
Only Level Pre-K covers all subjects. From Level K on, math and reading instruction are left to you, and each level suggests programs. Torchlight names Logic of English for reading in its recommendations.
What ages is each Torchlight level for?
Pre-K is for ages 4–5, K for 5–7, Level 1 for 6–9, Level 2 for 7–11, Level 3 for 8–12, Level 4 for 9–13 and Level 5 for 10–14. Levels lean advanced, so the Placement Tool helps.
Is Torchlight printed or digital?
Digital only. You buy PDFs and print them for personal and family use. You have 60 days to download, and the guides are designed for double-sided black-and-white printing.
Is Torchlight accredited?
No. Torchlight is a curriculum, not a school. Its FAQ says it is not accredited, has no tests and does not guarantee alignment with every state's standards.
Can I use an ESA for Torchlight?
Curriculum is a commonly allowed ESA expense, including under Arizona's ESA law and Florida's PEP handbook, but each program decides how it treats digital downloads. Save Torchlight to your Edulist wishlist and check programs in your state.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources:
- torchlightcurriculum.com
- torchlightcurriculum.com · torchlight faq
- torchlightcurriculum.com · torchlight level pre k
- torchlightcurriculum.com · level k
- torchlightcurriculum.com · torchlight level 1
- torchlightcurriculum.com · torchlight level 2
- torchlightcurriculum.com · torchlight level 3
- torchlightcurriculum.com · torchlight level 4
- torchlightcurriculum.com · torchlight level 5
- torchlightcurriculum.com · levelplacement
- secularhomeschooler.com · our experience with torchlight secular curriculum levels one
- thehomeschoolgraduate.com · torchlight curriculum
- naturehomeschool.com · torchlight curriculum review for level 1 and k
- azleg.gov · 02402.htm
- stepupforstudents.org · pep family handbook