Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum vs Notgrass History
The sharpest difference is faith content: Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum is None, Notgrass History is Integrated. Six more come apart as well, so the two have little in common past the subject.
At a glance
Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum
Grades K-12
Notgrass History
Grades 1-12
Owners report it suits
Multi-age familiesBoth are reported to suit Independent workers.
Skip to who fitsWhere they differ
| Attribute | Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum | Notgrass History |
|---|---|---|
Rigor
?How demanding the material is versus grade level. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
Parent involvement
?How much the parent is present and teaching. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
Prep load
?How much the parent prepares before a lesson. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
Screen time
?How much daily work is on a device. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
Independence
?How much the child can do alone. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
| Faith content | None | Integrated |
| Approach | Spiral | Mastery |
| Best for Tags show where owners consistently report a good fit. They are not exclusions. | Independent workers | Independent workersMulti-age families |
| Method | ClassicalTraditional | TraditionalCharlotte Mason |
| Grades | K-12 | 1-12 |
Solid tags are unique to that program. Muted tags are carried by both.
Where they match
- Time commitmentboth 25 to 40 min
- Formatboth Textbook
- Used asboth Spine
How each one plays by grade
Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum
Grades K-12
Grade bands K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 each cover the American story at greater depth. K-5 leans on a teacher reading and guiding; the 6-8 and 9-12 American history and government units support more independent reading and writing.
Notgrass History
Grades 1-12
Elementary covers US geography, world geography, and the early American story (grades 1-4). Middle school has America the Beautiful, From Adam to Us, and Uncle Sam and You (grades 5-8). High school has five Exploring courses: America and World History run a full year and earn history, English, and Bible credit; World Geography runs a full year and earns geography, English, and worldview; Government and Economics are one-semester courses earning half credits in the subject and English.
Cost
| Cost item | Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum | Notgrass History |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (optional printed edition sold separately) | ~$75-275 |
| Consumable | No | Partial |
| Per child / year | $0 (free download) | ~$125 (curriculum package) up to ~$275 (full bundle), plus ~$20-40 consumables per added child |
What parents report
Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum
Consistently praised
- It's completely free
- Rich primary sources and lesson plans
- Deep, content-heavy American history
- Strong civics and government track
- Well-organized for a teacher
Reported as challenges
- Written for classrooms, not open-and-go for parents
- Prep-heavy to adapt at home
- Reading and reasoning load is high for younger kids
- Patriotic framing won't suit every family
Notgrass History
Consistently praised
- Reads like a story, not a dry textbook
- One course covers history, English, and Bible
- Older kids can run it independently
- Clear daily lesson layout
- Beautiful photos and primary sources
Reported as challenges
- Literature package is sold separately or borrowed
- Lots of daily reading, which some kids find heavy
- Elementary levels still need a parent alongside
- Distinctly Christian worldview won't suit secular families
Who Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum fits
Rigorous, primary-source American history and civics at no cost, for families who don't mind adapting classroom lesson plans, especially in middle and high school. Parents wanting open-and-go materials, gentle elementary history, or a curriculum that avoids a traditional civic framing should keep looking.
Read the full Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum entry Check price Hillsdale CollegeWho Notgrass History fits
Gentle but solid history that older students can carry themselves, folding in Bible and English for high school credit. Families wanting a hands-on, activity-driven, or secular program should look at Story of the World instead.
Read the full Notgrass History entry Check price Notgrass HistorySome links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes how a curriculum is described or scored.
Still deciding?
Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum compared with
Notgrass History compared with
Descriptions aggregate what homeschool parents consistently report across public community sources together with each publisher's own materials. Prices and editions change over time. Both entries last reviewed August 2026.