Math Curriculum

36 curricula compared. Filter to the fit for your family, then read the full write-up.

Grade
Faith content
Approach
Format
Used as
Method
Best for
Filter by score
Rigor
gentle, below gradeadvanced
Parent involvement
hands-offparent-taught
Prep load
open-and-goheavy
Screen time
fully offlinefully digital
Independence
adult-ledfully independent
Time commitment
under 15 min60+ min

Abeka Math
Abeka · Grades K-12
Integrated Spiral Workbook Spine
Rigor 4demanding
Parent involvement 3shared
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 2mostly offline
Independence 3semi-independent
Time commitment 440 to 60 min
Suits a math-capable kid who can keep a fast pace, paired with a parent who wants an organized, open-and-go plan.
ACE Math PACEs
Accelerated Christian Education · Grades 1-12
Integrated Mastery Workbook Spine
Rigor 2relaxed
Parent involvement 2light
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
An inexpensive, independent, scripture-integrated workbook system for families who can supervise or supplement the math.
ALEKS
McGraw Hill · Grades 3-12
None Mastery Online Spine or supplement
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 1hands-off
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 5fully digital
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Works for a self-motivated student who reads well and can learn from on-screen text, in a family that wants automatic placement, acceleration, or credit recovery without lesson planning.
Apologia Math
Apologia · Grades 1-6
Light Blended Workbook Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 4leading
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 2guided
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Hands-on, wiggly, or math-reluctant elementary kids, taught by a parent who wants a gentle Christian program with strong teacher support.
Art of Problem Solving
Art of Problem Solving · Grades 5-12
None Mastery Textbook Spine
Rigor 5advanced
Parent involvement 2light
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 3blended
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 440 to 60 min
Mathematically strong, self-driven kids who enjoy struggling with a problem and want depth well past grade level.
Beast Academy
Art of Problem Solving · Grades 1-5
None Mastery Textbook Spine
Rigor 5advanced
Parent involvement 4leading
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 3blended
Independence 3semi-independent
Time commitment 440 to 60 min
Made for mathematically strong kids who read well and enjoy being stuck on a puzzle for fifteen minutes, often the ones headed toward competition math later.
BJU Press Math
BJU Press · Grades K-12
Integrated Blended Textbook Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 4leading
Prep load 3moderate
Screen time 2mostly offline
Independence 2guided
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Pairs a hands-on kid with a parent who doesn't mind teaching each lesson from a script, concepts before procedure.
Christian Light Math
Christian Light Publications · Grades 1-12
Integrated Spiral Workbook Spine
Rigor 4demanding
Parent involvement 2light
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Independent readers in busy families with several kids, where thorough, low-cost, offline math with heavy built-in review is the priority.
CTCMath
CTCMath · Grades K-12
None Mastery Online Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 1hands-off
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 5fully digital
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Best when somebody else needs to teach the math: large families juggling several grade levels, or a parent whose own math anxiety makes lessons tense.
Derek Owens
Derek Owens · Grades 7-12
None Mastery Online Spine
Rigor 4demanding
Parent involvement 1hands-off
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 3blended
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 440 to 60 min
The strongest pick here for self-motivated, math-capable, or STEM-bound teens who need real challenge and an outside grader.
Dimensions Math (Singapore Math)
Singapore Math Inc. · Grades PreK-8
None Mastery Textbook Spine
Rigor 4demanding
Parent involvement 4leading
Prep load 3moderate
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 2guided
Time commitment 440 to 60 min
Fits curious, visual kids who like to reason their way into a concept, taught by a parent who can give real one-on-one time daily.
Foerster Math
Math Without Borders · Grades 8-12
None Mastery Textbook Spine
Rigor 5advanced
Parent involvement 2light
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 3blended
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 440 to 60 min
A motivated, college-bound or STEM-minded student who wants depth and doesn't mind a challenge, with the Math Without Borders videos doing the teaching.
Horizons Math
Alpha Omega Publications · Grades K-8
Light Spiral Workbook Spine
Rigor 4demanding
Parent involvement 3shared
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 3semi-independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Structured, low-prep workbook math for a child who does fine bouncing between four or five topics on the same page.
IXL
IXL Learning · Grades PreK-12
None Spiral Online Supplement
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 1hands-off
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 5fully digital
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 215 to 25 min
Extra practice, diagnostics, and review to reinforce a concept a child has already been taught.
Jacobs Math
Master Books · Grades 8-12
Light Mastery Textbook Spine
Rigor 4demanding
Parent involvement 3shared
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 3semi-independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Suits a college-bound student who likes reading and reasoning through problems, plus a parent willing to add the Ask Dr. Callahan videos if math isn't their strength.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy · Grades K-12
None Spiral Online Spine or supplement
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 2light
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 5fully digital
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Self-motivated kids who learn from video, and families who want a free option either as a full spine or as backup explanations alongside another program.
Life of Fred
Polka Dot Publishing · Grades 1-12
Light Blended Textbook Spine or supplement
Rigor 2relaxed
Parent involvement 2light
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 215 to 25 min
Story-driven readers who've stalled on worksheet math, families running a relaxed schedule, and kids who'd rather think about math than grind it.
Math for Love
Math for Love · Grades K-5
None Spiral Hands-on Spine or supplement
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 4leading
Prep load 3moderate
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 2guided
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Playful, conceptual math for families happy to lean on games and rich tasks.
Math Lessons for a Living Education
Master Books · Grades K-6
Integrated Blended Workbook Spine
Rigor 2relaxed
Parent involvement 2light
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 3semi-independent
Time commitment 215 to 25 min
Best for a child who's anxious or burned out on math, and for a parent who wants to open the book and go. Families chasing acceleration or strong computational drill should look elsewhere or plan to supplement.
Math Mammoth
Math Mammoth · Grades 1-8
None Mastery Workbook Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 2light
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 3semi-independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Fits budget-minded families with several kids, parents who want math off their plate without a screen, and fluent readers who can absorb a written explanation and get to work.
Math with Confidence
Well-Trained Mind Press · Grades PreK-6
None Blended Workbook Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 5parent-taught
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 2guided
Time commitment 215 to 25 min
Aimed at parents who want to teach math themselves, enjoy games and hands-on work, and want understanding built before drill.
Math-U-See
Demme Learning · Grades K-12
None Mastery Hands-on Spine
Rigor 2relaxed
Parent involvement 2light
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 2mostly offline
Independence 3semi-independent
Time commitment 215 to 25 min
The usual landing spot for a kid who's hit a wall in math, and for parents who dread teaching it.
Miquon Math
Key Curriculum · Grades 1-3
None Spiral Hands-on Spine or supplement
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 4leading
Prep load 3moderate
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 2guided
Time commitment 215 to 25 min
Hands-on, curious kids and parents who enjoy a discovery approach and don't mind studying the teacher notes.
Mr. D Math
Mr. D Math · Grades 6-12
None Mastery Online Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 1hands-off
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 4mostly digital
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Average or math-averse teens who need confidence and a teacher who isn't mom or dad, especially in families who want the accountability of a live class.
Nicole the Math Lady
Nicole the Math Lady · Grades 3-12
None Spiral Online Companion
Rigor 4demanding
Parent involvement 1hands-off
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 3blended
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 440 to 60 min
Families committed to Saxon who want the teaching and grading taken off their plate, especially parents who dread teaching math.
RightStart Mathematics
Activities for Learning · Grades K-8
None Blended Hands-on Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 5parent-taught
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 2guided
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Works in a house with one or two younger kids where a parent can sit down for half an hour a day, and it's a rescue for a child who's shut down on a workbook program.
Rod and Staff Math
Rod and Staff Publishers · Grades 1-8
Integrated Mastery Textbook Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 3shared
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 3semi-independent
Time commitment 215 to 25 min
Plain, inexpensive mastery math that drills facts hard and reads as gently Christian, and it suits self-directed older kids.
Saxon Math
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt · Grades K-12
None Spiral Textbook Spine
Rigor 4demanding
Parent involvement 3shared
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 3semi-independent
Time commitment 440 to 60 min
Built for kids who do well with daily review and repetition, in families that want a thorough offline program with a long runway.
Shormann Math
DIVE Interactive Education · Grades 7-12
Integrated Spiral Online Spine
Rigor 4demanding
Parent involvement 1hands-off
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 4mostly digital
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 440 to 60 min
Independent 7th to 12th graders who want Saxon-style incremental math updated with modern topics and built-in test prep, taught from a Christian worldview with little parent teaching.
Simply Charlotte Mason Math
Simply Charlotte Mason · Grades 1-6
Light Mastery Hands-on Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 5parent-taught
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 1fully offline
Independence 2guided
Time commitment 215 to 25 min
Gentle, hands-on math with a Charlotte Mason feel, for a parent who'll sit and teach orally each day. Families who need an independent workbook, or a child who can work alone, should keep looking.
Teaching Textbooks Math
Teaching Textbooks · Grades 3-12
Light Spiral Online Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 1hands-off
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 4mostly digital
Independence 5fully independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Independent, screen-comfortable learners whose parents want to step back, and parents who aren't confident in the math themselves.
The Good and the Beautiful Math
The Good and the Beautiful · Grades K-8
Light Spiral Workbook Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 3shared
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 2mostly offline
Independence 3semi-independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Gentle, hands-on elementary math with almost no prep, for parents who dread teaching it and want the book to carry the lesson on a budget that stays capped.
The Math Map
Classical Conversations · Grades K-12
Core Spiral Workbook Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 4leading
Prep load 3moderate
Screen time 2mostly offline
Independence 2guided
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Written for families already in a Classical Conversations community who want one classical, Christ-centered math resource for the whole household and enjoy teaching through discussion.
Time4Learning
Time4Learning · Grades PreK-12
None Blended Online Spine or supplement
Rigor 2relaxed
Parent involvement 1hands-off
Prep load 2minimal
Screen time 5fully digital
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 215 to 25 min
Works as a supplement or a gentle spine for younger, screen-loving or reluctant learners who need review and low parent effort.
UnLock Math
UnLock Math · Grades 6-12
None Blended Online Spine
Rigor 3on grade
Parent involvement 1hands-off
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 5fully digital
Independence 5fully independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Fits neurodivergent, math-anxious, or previously frustrated students, and parents who don't want to teach or grade math at all.
VideoText Interactive
VideoText Interactive · Grades 7-12
None Mastery Online Spine
Rigor 4demanding
Parent involvement 2light
Prep load 1open-and-go
Screen time 4mostly digital
Independence 4mostly independent
Time commitment 325 to 40 min
Lands well with a conceptual learner or an independent teen who does better watching a clear lesson than reading a textbook, in a family that wants algebra taught for understanding.