Catholic Homeschooling Curriculum and Resources

Homeschooling from a Catholic Perspective

Have you felt drawn to homeschooling? As a Catholic parent, you’ve likely already prayed about it and listened for divine guidance. Traditions and faith-based values are keystones in Catholic homeschooling families, so it’s only natural to want your children’s educational experience to reflect those. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Catholic homeschool curriculum or classical Catholic homeschool programs, options abound for your family.

Getting Started with Catholic Homeschooling

One of the number one struggles for new homeschoolers is the overwhelming process of getting started homeschooling. There’s an incredible number of homeschooling blogs and sites, each with its own idea about what you need as a homeschooling family. However, these tips can create exponentially more confusion. As a result, before you get into choosing a Catholic homeschool curriculum or determining homeschooling methods, try starting with these three steps.How to Create Your Own Homeschool Unit Study

  • Solidify your reason to start homeschooling — Make sure your motivational reasons are clear-cut and written down. We all have challenging days that might just make us question why we’re homeschooling to begin with. These are times when you’ll need to remind yourself of your initial reasons for switching.
  • Make a list of pros and cons — As with every decision in life, there are benefits and drawbacks. If there’s a positive, there’s an associated negative. Honesty is vital here. Even though the excitement of homeschooling can filter out the cons with rose-colored glasses, you need to be aware of the good and the not-so-good to reduce stress later on.
  • As a family, write a list of goals — Start with big goals – determine what you want to see academically and spiritually this year. Then move on to semester and monthly/weekly goals.  Either way, your goals can help with deciding on a homeschool curriculum, such as a Catholic classical homeschool curriculum or a Catholic online homeschool. Additionally, these goals can provide insight into the ideal homeschooling method for your family. Examples of these methods could include traditional homeschooling or the Charlotte Mason method, just to name a few.

Take That First Step

Getting started with the nitty-gritty details of Catholic homeschooling is relatively the same for all new homeschooling families. We understand, homeschooling already sounds overwhelming. This is why Homeschool.com is here with support, advice, and encouragement. Once you’ve read through these articles, it’ll feel less overwhelming. Our best suggestion: take it slow, in small sections, and think it over before moving on.

This hub of information is intended to spark inspiration for your homeschooling preferences. Here are examples of how to use these pages:

  • Formality — Learn which homeschooling option is best suited to your family. For instance, accredited Catholic homeschool programs may be ideal for your family.
  • Style — Discover which learning style would be the best fit for your children. An example of this could be aligning with traditional Catholic homeschooling.
  • Content — What kind of learning content would be most helpful? These resources can provide a better idea of what your family needs from Catholic homeschool programs.

Looking For More Catholic Homeschooling Resources?

Sometimes, you just need to connect with like-minded people! Everyone needs a support group regardless of the circles they run in. For Catholic homeschoolers, connecting with other Catholic homeschooling families can recharge your batteries. Here are a few sites for finding other Catholic homeschoolers as well as general Catholic resources.

As a Catholic homeschooling family, would you prefer a curriculum based on your faith? Catholic homeschool programs can range between traditional, classical, Charlotte Mason, and more. You may find Catholic online programs or accredited academies. There’s an option for everyone! Here’s a solid list for getting started homeschooling.

  • CatechismClass: “We offer K-12 Programs with a unique approach combining Scripture, Catechism passages, activities, quizzes, and entirely orthodox Catholic Theology. We handle all grading and record-keeping.”
  • Catholic Heritage Curricula: “Catholic Heritage Curricula’s exclusive materials and lesson plans fit together to provide a solid, complete, family-friendly Catholic education. It is CHC’s belief that, when solid academics are offered in a gentle, flexible manner, the vast majority of children will blossom spiritually, emotionally, and academically.”
  • Mater Amabilis Free Charlotte Mason Curriculum: “Mater Amabilis™ is a free online Pre/K- High School Charlotte Mason style curriculum for Catholics.” If you’re searching for a CM-inspired option, it might be worth taking a closer look at this one.
  • St. Jerome Library: ” St. Jerome School offers affordable, classic, and sound education for homeschoolers. The main goal is to create a quality curriculum that raises saints for Heaven, but is also manageable for the busy family who understands that homeschooling is just one important aspect of Catholic life.” Catholic Homeschool Curriculum
  • Kolbe Academy Home School: “At Kolbe Academy, your child will experience authentically Catholic, classical home education with the customization to suit their unique learning style. We’re an accredited institution with over 40 years of experience in forming well-rounded, integrated young men and women. And our expert, faithful teachers, and advisors are with you every step of the way!”
  • St. Thomas Aquinas Academy: “From Pre-1st to Grade 12 the St. Thomas Aquinas Academy classical home school curriculum is designed as one graceful whole, with a unit study flavor, that easily adapts to many grade levels learning at the same kitchen table. We encourage a relaxed teaching style, tuned to the natural developmental phases of the child’s intellect.”
  • Angelicum Academy: The Angelicum Academy “offer(s) a complete homeschool curriculum for grades N-12, and online classes starting in 3rd grade. We also offer an entirely online homeschool program for grades 9-12—the Greats Honors Program—for any students who prefer an online approach. We use lectures by professors all around the world through the Great Courses Plus, paired with online tutors for each subject.”
  • Classical Liberal Arts Academy: “Ours is the only program that allows Catholic families to enjoy the same classical Catholic education that has been studied and taught by wise men and saints through history–and we do so at a price that every family can afford. Our curriculum provides a lifetime of content and students of all ages are welcome.”
  • Mother of Divine Grace School: “Mother of Divine Grace School offers a Catholic, classical approach to homeschooling. It is a program that has been developed by trial and error. We understand the challenges that home-schoolers face and so we offer different levels of service. We want to meet the needs of each individual family, and we realize that these needs will vary from family to family. Our teachers, lesson plans, materials, standardized testing, assessments, and consultants provide families with clear educational goals and the appropriate level of support, as well as needed structure and flexibility. These will lead to academic success.”
  • Our Lady of Victory School: “Our Catholic homeschool program fosters a collaborative effort towards spiritual and intellectual growth by the anchoring light of Tradition. We endeavor to provide homeschool parents the attentive and individualized academic support they need in order to pursue confidently and lovingly the mission entrusted to them by the Church: their children’s salvation.”
  • Seton Home Study School: “Seton is an accredited school assisting homeschooling parents by providing an academically excellent and authentically Catholic curriculum. Our entire staff here at Seton will assist you in customizing our curriculum to be the perfect fit for your child. The students and families enrolled with Seton have the unique opportunity to partake of the fullness of Catholic truth as they experience the beauty, freedom, and peace that comes from Catholic moral and academic formation in a family setting.”

The Best Catholic Homeschool Curriculum

Each year our Back to Homeschool Awards give homeschoolers the chance to nominate and vote on their favorite curriculum. Listed below are the Top Catholic Homeschool Curriculum nominations.

Best Catholic Homeschool CurriculumWINNER – Homeschool Connections

Homeschool Connections offers Catholic live & online courses for homeschoolers, grades 4-12. You can pay for a month’s access or for a whole year and they offer discounts to multiple family members. They offer Latin, Health, Writing, History, Science, Computer Science & Programming, Accounting, Drama, Foreign Languages, Literature, Math & more.

 

Top Catholic Homeschooling CurriculumSECOND PLACE – Connecting With History

Connecting with History uses a unique approach to help students recognize their own role in salvation history and God’s purpose for their lives. Studying the same time period together enriches everyone’s learning experience. If you are not well-acquainted with history, you don’t have to be an expert in history to teach your children – you will learn right along with them! We connect History, Geography, Bible Studies, Church History, Literature, Composition, Arts & Crafts, and more! Integrating subjects enables students to make connections between information that is otherwise taught in compartments. Connections build understanding.

 

top catholic curriculumTHIRD PLACE – Catholic Heritage Curricula

Catholic Heritage Curricula’s exclusive materials and lesson plans fit together to provide a solid, complete, family-friendly Catholic education. Gathering from the wisdom and experience of homeschoolers living in all parts of the world, CHC developed a gentle, flexible approach to academics that avoids ‘burnout,’ and instead lays a joyful foundation, resulting in children who achieve at and above grade level.