Finding the best homeschool history curriculum for your student can be trickier than it seems. There are so many different curricula out there, and each one has its strengths and weaknesses.
Some families want a full open-and-go curriculum with assignments already planned. Some want a literature-rich program built around biographies and historical fiction. Some want a secular curriculum. Others want a Christian worldview. Some parents need one program for several children. Others need a transcript-ready high school course.
And, of course, many parents want history to feel less like a textbook and more like a story their children can actually remember. That's why many parents opted to homeschool in the first place. Learning should be fun.
So, how do you choose? Well, the easy way is to choose from our shortlist below. These are tried-and-tested favorites. Pair any of them with our American History letter series to give the historical figures in your lessons a voice, and you can't go wrong.
The harder way is to think deeply about what your child's particular needs are, weigh each curriculum against these needs, review sample materials, then decide. If that's the route you want to take, below our quick recommendations are some more detailed musings on the state of the homeschool history landscape, and your curriculum options. We hope this is helpful!
Our Curriculum Shortlist:
If you want a simple starting point, here are the strongest choices by need:
Best for elementary students: The Story of the World
Best literature-based option: Sonlight or Beautiful Feet Books
Best Christian open-and-go option: Notgrass History
Best Christian chronological world history: The Mystery of History
Best secular history curriculum: Pandia Press, including History Quest and History Odyssey
Best classical option: The Story of the World, Veritas Press, or Memoria Press
Best for high school transcripts: Notgrass History, Sonlight, Beautiful Feet Books, or Compass Classroom
Best supplement for primary sources: Letterjoy
Best for hands-on families: History Quest, unit studies, and project-based programs
Best for independent learners: Notgrass History or self-paced online options
There is no single winner for every homeschool. The right choice depends on what kind of history education you want.
What Makes a Homeschool History Curriculum "Good"?
A good homeschool history curriculum should do more than cover chapters.
It should help students understand time. They should know that ancient Egypt came before ancient Greece, that the American Revolution came before the Civil War, and that the Cold War came after World War II.
It should help students see cause and effect. History is not just “this happened, then this happened.” Students should learn why events happened, what changed because of them, and why people at the time disagreed.
A good history curriculum also introduces historical figures as real people, instead of cardboard cutouts. Children remember history better when they meet inventors, presidents, reformers, explorers, soldiers, writers, enslaved people, immigrants, kings, queens, dissidents, codebreakers, and ordinary families.
Particularly once students reach the upper grades, whatever curriculum you choose should use maps and geography. Students need to know where events happened. Geography shapes trade, war, settlement, migration, and politics.
And, of course, any comprehensive history curriculum should include primary sources. Textbooks explain the past. Primary sources let students encounter it. Letters, speeches, diaries, newspaper articles, court records, photographs, and government documents teach students to ask better questions.
Best Homeschool History Curriculum Options
1. The Story of the World
Best for: Elementary and early middle school families who want a chronological, story-based world history spine.
The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer is one of the best-known homeschool history programs. It tells world history in a narrative style and is often used in classical homeschooling. The four-volume series moves through ancient history, the Middle Ages, early modern history, and modern history.
Parents often pair the main books with activity guides, maps, coloring pages, narration, timeline work, and extra reading.
Strengths:
The Story of the World is readable, affordable, and easy to use. It gives children a broad chronological framework and works well as a read-aloud. It is especially strong for families who want students to understand world history as one long connected story.
Possible drawbacks:
It is not a complete high school history program. Some families also prefer a more explicitly religious or more explicitly secular approach, depending on their worldview. Older students may need deeper readings, primary sources, and writing assignments.
Best use:
Use it as a spine, then add maps, biographies, projects, and primary sources.
2. Sonlight History
Best for: Families who want a literature-rich, Christian homeschool history curriculum with daily plans.
Sonlight is a long-running homeschool curriculum provider known for book-heavy programs. Its history packages combine instructor guides, read-alouds, readers, geography, timelines, and discussion.
Sonlight is especially appealing to families who want history taught through stories rather than a standard textbook. Students read biographies, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, and other books tied to the period they are studying.
Strengths:
Sonlight’s biggest strength is its book selection. For children who love stories, it can make history feel vivid and memorable. The instructor guides also help parents who want a clear schedule.
Possible drawbacks:
It can be expensive because families are buying many books. It also requires a lot of reading, which is a strength for some families and a burden for others. Families looking for a secular curriculum may not find it the right fit.
Best use:
Choose Sonlight if your family likes read-alouds, discussion, and a full book-based schedule.
3. Beautiful Feet Books
Best for: Families who want Charlotte Mason-inspired, literature-based history.
Beautiful Feet Books offers history courses built around living books, biographies, historical fiction, and guided discussion. Their programs cover topics such as Early American History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Modern American and World History, geography, and more.
Beautiful Feet is a good option for parents who want a gentler, story-centered approach with curated books and teacher guides.
Strengths:
Beautiful Feet makes history warm and accessible. The book lists are carefully chosen, and the teacher guides help parents turn reading into discussion, narration, writing, and projects.
Possible drawbacks:
It may not feel rigorous enough for families who want frequent tests, heavy writing, or a more traditional textbook structure. Some families may need to add timelines, map work, or additional primary sources.
Best use:
Use Beautiful Feet if you want history to feel like reading, conversation, and reflection rather than a daily worksheet.
4. Notgrass History
Best for: Families who want a complete, open-and-go Christian history curriculum.
Notgrass History offers complete history courses for elementary, middle school, and high school. Its high school programs are especially popular because they are structured, independent, and easier to translate into credits.
Notgrass courses often include history readings, literature, Bible, writing assignments, projects, review questions, and tests. Many families use Notgrass for U.S. History, World History, Government, Economics, and Civics.
Strengths:
Notgrass is practical. Parents do not have to build the course from scratch. It works well for independent students and for families who need clear assignments, grading, and transcript-friendly structure.
Possible drawbacks:
It has a Christian perspective, which may be ideal for some families and not right for others. Students who dislike textbook-style learning may find it less engaging unless parents add discussion, documentaries, projects, or primary sources.
Best use:
Use Notgrass for middle school or high school students who need a complete, structured course.
5. The Mystery of History
Best for: Christian families who want chronological world history for multiple ages.
The Mystery of History is a Christian world history curriculum written from a biblical worldview. It covers world history chronologically across four volumes and is often used by families teaching several children together.
It includes readings, activities, timeline work, mapping, memory cards, quizzes, tests, and project ideas.
Strengths:
The Mystery of History is family-friendly and chronological. It helps students see biblical and world history in the same timeline. It also gives parents activities for different age levels, which can help when teaching several children at once.
Possible drawbacks:
It is not a secular curriculum. Families who do not want a biblical worldview will likely prefer other options. Some parents may also find that they need to choose selectively from the activities rather than trying to do everything.
Best use:
Use it for family-style Christian world history, especially if you want to teach multiple ages together.
6. Pandia Press: History Quest and History Odyssey
Best for: Families looking for secular, inquiry-friendly history curriculum.
Pandia Press offers History Quest for elementary students and History Odyssey for older students. These programs are popular among families looking for a secular history curriculum that still feels engaging and academically serious.
History Quest uses narrative storytelling, maps, activities, and study guides. History Odyssey moves older students toward more independent work, critical thinking, and structured history study.
Strengths:
Pandia Press is one of the stronger options for secular homeschool history. The programs are thoughtful, flexible, and more academically grounded than many bare-bones resources.
Possible drawbacks:
Some families may want more hand-holding or a more traditional daily schedule. Others may need to add more literature, documentaries, or primary sources depending on the child.
Best use:
Choose Pandia Press if you want secular history with storytelling, structure, and room for critical thinking.
7. History Odyssey
Best for: Secular middle school students who are ready for more independent history work.
History Odyssey, from Pandia Press, deserves its own mention because it fills a real gap. Many secular homeschool families find plenty of elementary history options but fewer strong choices for middle school. History Odyssey helps bridge that gap.
It gives students a structured path through major historical periods, with readings, map work, writing, and activities.
Strengths:
It helps older students move beyond read-aloud history and into more independent study. It is also a good fit for families who want a secular program with more substance.
Possible drawbacks:
Some students may need parent support, especially if they are not used to independent reading and writing. It may also need enrichment for students who love historical fiction or primary sources.
Best use:
Use History Odyssey when your child is ready to take more ownership of history.
8. Veritas Press History
Best for: Classical Christian families who want memory work, chronology, and strong structure.
Veritas Press offers history programs with a classical Christian approach. It is known for its history cards, self-paced online courses, and structured sequence. Families who like memory work and a clear historical timeline often appreciate Veritas.
Strengths:
Veritas gives students a strong chronological framework. The self-paced courses can reduce parent workload, and the history cards help students remember major events.
Possible drawbacks:
It is a Christian curriculum with a classical style, so it will not fit every family. Some students may also need more narrative reading or discussion to keep the material from feeling like memorization alone.
Best use:
Use Veritas if you want a structured classical Christian program with strong chronology.
9. Memoria Press History
Best for: Classical families who want a rigorous, traditional approach.
Memoria Press offers classical curriculum materials across subjects, including history, geography, literature, and classical studies. Its programs tend to be structured, orderly, and academically serious.
Strengths:
Memoria Press is strong for families who like a traditional classical model. It provides clear expectations and emphasizes content knowledge.
Possible drawbacks:
It may feel too formal for families who want a relaxed, literature-heavy, or project-based approach. Students who need more hands-on history may require supplements.
Best use:
Choose Memoria Press if you want a rigorous classical approach and do not mind a more traditional format.
10. Compass Classroom
Best for: Families who want video-based Christian history courses, especially for older students.
Compass Classroom offers video-based courses in history, economics, government, and related subjects. Programs such as Dave Raymond’s history courses are often used by middle school and high school homeschoolers.
Strengths:
Video lessons can help students who learn well from lectures and visual presentation. Compass can also work well for parents who want a teacher-led feel without outsourcing to a live class.
Possible drawbacks:
Video alone is not enough. Students still need reading, writing, discussion, and primary-source work. Families should treat it as a course spine, not a complete substitute for engagement.
Best use:
Use Compass Classroom for older students who benefit from lecture-style teaching and clear course structure.
11. Master Books History
Best for: Christian families who want shorter lessons and a gentle structure.
Master Books offers Christian homeschool curriculum across subjects, including history and social studies. Its history materials tend to be parent-friendly and designed for manageable daily lessons.
Strengths:
The lessons are often shorter and easier to complete than heavier programs. This can help families who want consistency without overwhelming the day.
Possible drawbacks:
Families wanting a very deep or highly academic history course may need to add books, primary sources, or writing assignments. It is also explicitly Christian, which may not suit all families.
Best use:
Use Master Books if you want Christian history with a lighter daily load.
12. Tapestry of Grace
Best for: Large families, co-ops, and parents who want an integrated humanities program.
Tapestry of Grace is a substantial curriculum that combines history, literature, church history, geography, writing, government, philosophy, and discussion. It is designed for multiple levels, so younger and older students can study the same historical period at different depths.
Strengths:
It is rich, deep, and excellent for families who want history to anchor a full humanities education. It can work well for co-ops and families with several children.
Possible drawbacks:
It can be overwhelming. Parents who want open-and-go simplicity may find it too much. It works best when the parent is willing to plan and choose from the materials rather than trying to do everything.
Best use:
Use Tapestry of Grace if you want history to become the center of your homeschool and you have the time to manage a robust program.
13. BookShark
Best for: Families who like the Sonlight model but want a secular literature-based option.
BookShark is a literature-based curriculum with similarities to Sonlight, but it is designed as a secular program. It uses books, instructor guides, history, geography, reading, and discussion.
Strengths:
BookShark is a strong fit for families who want a book-rich approach without a Christian framework. It offers more structure than a parent-built book list.
Possible drawbacks:
Like Sonlight, it can involve a lot of reading and can be expensive. Families may need to adjust the schedule to avoid burnout.
Best use:
Choose BookShark if you want secular, literature-based history with a ready-made plan.
14. Curiosity Chronicles
Best for: Secular families who want conversational world history.
Curiosity Chronicles is a secular history curriculum written in a dialogue format. It is designed to make history approachable and engaging, especially for elementary and middle school students.
Strengths:
The conversational style can help children who find standard textbooks dry. It is also useful for families who want secular history but still want personality and narrative.
Possible drawbacks:
Some families may not like the dialogue format. Others may need to add more formal writing, tests, or primary-source analysis.
Best use:
Use Curiosity Chronicles if your child likes lively, conversational history and you want a secular approach.
15. Build Your Library
Best for: Secular families who want a literature-based, Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum.
Build Your Library offers secular homeschool lesson plans that combine history, literature, poetry, art, science, narration, map work, copywork, and projects. It is often considered by families who want a book-rich approach without a religious framework.
Strengths:
It gives families a planned path through literature and history while still feeling flexible. It can work well for parents who want a rich book list and a weekly structure.
Possible drawbacks:
Because it is literature-heavy, it may not be the best fit for reluctant readers or families who want a more traditional textbook. Parents should expect to gather books and manage the reading load.
Best use:
Choose Build Your Library if you want secular, literature-based history and are comfortable with a parent-guided approach.
Best Homeschool History Curriculum by Grade Level
Best History Curriculum for Kindergarten Through 2nd Grade
Young children do not need a heavy history program. They need stories, pictures, maps, holidays, family history, local history, and simple biographies.
Good options include:
Beautiful Feet Books Early American History K–3
A gentle, literature-based introduction to American history.
The Story of the World Volume 1
A good read-aloud for families who want to begin world history.
History Quest
A secular narrative option with activities and study guides.
Picture books and biographies
For this age, a strong book basket can be better than a formal curriculum.
At this stage, the goal is not mastery. The goal is interest.
Best History Curriculum for 3rd Through 5th Grade
Upper elementary students can handle more chronology, narration, map work, and written responses.
Good options include:
The Story of the World
Best for a chronological world history spine.
Beautiful Feet Books
Best for literature-based American or world history.
History Quest
Best secular option for narrative history and activities.
Sonlight
Best for families who want a full Christian literature-based schedule.
Veritas Press
Best for classical Christian families who want memory and timeline structure.
This is also a good age to add historic letters, short primary sources, simple timelines, and field trips.
Best History Curriculum for Middle School
Middle school students are ready to ask harder questions. They can compare sources, write short essays, and understand that history includes disagreement.
Good options include:
History Odyssey
Strong secular option for more independent students.
Notgrass History
Good for structured Christian history.
The Mystery of History
Good for family-style Christian world history.
Beautiful Feet Books
Good for literature-based learners.
Curiosity Chronicles
Good for secular families who want conversational world history.
Compass Classroom
Good for video-based Christian courses.
Middle school is also an ideal age to start using primary sources regularly. Students can read a historic letter, mark confusing lines, ask who wrote it, and explain what it reveals about the time period.
Best History Curriculum for High School
High school history needs more structure. Students may need credits in U.S. History, World History, Government, Economics, Civics, or Western Civilization.
Good options include:
Notgrass History
Strong for transcript-friendly Christian courses.
Sonlight high school history
Good for literature-heavy high school study.
Beautiful Feet Books high school courses
Good for students who learn through books, discussion, and writing.
Compass Classroom
Good for video-based courses in history, government, and economics.
Tapestry of Grace
Good for families who want a deep humanities program.
Dual enrollment or online classes
Good for students who need outside accountability.
High school students should not just memorize history. They should read primary sources, write arguments, compare interpretations, and learn to support claims with evidence.
Best Secular Homeschool History Curriculum
For secular families, the strongest options often include:
Pandia Press History Quest
Best for elementary secular history.
Pandia Press History Odyssey
Best for middle school secular history.
BookShark
Best secular literature-based option.
Curiosity Chronicles
Best conversational secular world history.
Build Your Library
Best for families who want a literature-based, secular, Charlotte Mason-inspired approach.
Secular families should still read samples carefully. “Secular” can mean different things in practice. Some programs avoid religious interpretation but still teach religion as a major historical force. Others treat religious history more lightly.
Best Christian Homeschool History Curriculum
For Christian families, the most common options include:
Notgrass History
Best open-and-go Christian history.
The Mystery of History
Best chronological Christian world history for multiple ages.
Sonlight
Best Christian literature-based history.
Veritas Press
Best classical Christian history.
Memoria Press
Best traditional classical Christian option.
Master Books
Best gentle Christian daily lessons.
Tapestry of Grace
Best deep Christian humanities program.
The main question is how much structure, reading, theology, and parent involvement you want.
Best Literature-Based Homeschool History Curriculum
If you want history built around stories and books, consider:
Sonlight
A full literature-based curriculum with instructor guides and many books.
Beautiful Feet Books
A Charlotte Mason-inspired approach with curated books and teacher guides.
BookShark
A secular literature-based option with planned schedules.
Build Your Library
A secular, literature-heavy option for families comfortable with more parent involvement.
Literature-based history is powerful because children often remember people before they remember dates. The risk is that students may enjoy the stories without building a clear timeline. Use maps and timelines to solve that problem.
Best Open-and-Go Homeschool History Curriculum
If you want fewer moving parts, consider:
Notgrass History
Strongest all-around open-and-go option, especially for Christian families.
Master Books
Good for shorter daily lessons.
Sonlight
Open-and-go in the sense that the schedule is planned, though there are many books.
Compass Classroom
Useful if you want video lessons to carry more of the teaching.
Open-and-go curriculum helps parents stay consistent. Just make sure your child is not only completing assignments but also understanding the story.
Best Homeschool American History Curriculum
For American history, good options include:
Notgrass Exploring America
Strong for high school U.S. history from a Christian perspective.
Beautiful Feet Books Early American History
Good for literature-based American history across several grade bands.
Sonlight American History programs
Good for book-heavy American history.
Veritas Press U.S. history sequence
Good for classical Christian families.
BookShark American history programs
Good for secular literature-based families.
Letterjoy
Excellent as a primary-source supplement for American history because students read real historic letters from the people they are studying.
American history is especially well suited to primary sources. Students can read letters from founders, presidents, soldiers, reformers, authors, and ordinary citizens. They can see that the past was argued over in real time.
Best Homeschool World History Curriculum
For world history, good options include:
The Story of the World
Best elementary world history spine.
The Mystery of History
Best Christian chronological world history.
History Quest and History Odyssey
Best secular world history sequence.
Sonlight world history programs
Good for literature-based world history.
Tapestry of Grace
Best for deep, integrated world history and humanities.
Curiosity Chronicles
Good for secular conversational world history.
World history should not feel like a fast march through disconnected civilizations. Use maps constantly. Put major events on a timeline. Compare cultures without pretending they were all the same.
Where Letterjoy Fits in a Homeschool History Plan
Letterjoy (the home of this blog) is not a full homeschool history curriculum. It is a primary-source supplement that makes history feel personal.
Letterjoy sends historic letters by mail, paired with context that helps students understand who wrote the letter, who received it, and why it matters. Instead of only reading a textbook summary, students encounter the actual words of people from the past.
That is different from a worksheet. It is different from a video. It is different from a paragraph in a textbook.
A letter has a date. A sender. A recipient. A voice. A purpose. Sometimes it is urgent. Sometimes it is tender. Sometimes it is strategic, angry, funny, formal, or afraid. Students begin to see that history was not lived as a neat chapter. It was lived one day at a time by people who did not know what would happen next.
For homeschool history students, Letterjoy works especially well as:
A weekly primary-source reading
Read the letter, discuss the context, and ask what it reveals.
A morning basket addition
Use one historic letter as a short, meaningful family read-aloud.
A writing prompt
Ask students to summarize the letter, respond to it, or write from another point of view.
A supplement to American history
Pair letters with units on the American Revolution, the Civil War, presidents, reform movements, exploration, war, literature, and invention.
A document-analysis exercise
Ask: Who wrote this? Who received it? What did the writer want? What did the writer assume? What can we learn from it? What questions remain?
Letterjoy is also a practical choice for families using education funds. Letterjoy is ESA-eligible and available through ClassWallet, Step Up For Students, and other state homeschool marketplaces, which means many families can use approved education funds to purchase it, depending on their state program’s rules.
If you already have a main curriculum, Letterjoy can add the missing piece: real voices from the past.
How to Combine a Main Curriculum With Letterjoy
A strong homeschool history plan often works best with one main curriculum and a few carefully chosen supplements.
Here is a simple weekly rhythm:
Day 1: Main lesson
Read the textbook chapter, story, or assigned pages.
Day 2: Map and timeline
Mark the location and add key events to a timeline.
Day 3: Literature or biography
Read a chapter from a related book.
Day 4: Primary source
Read a historic letter, speech, diary entry, or newspaper excerpt.
Day 5: Discussion or writing
Ask the student to narrate, write a paragraph, compare sources, or explain what changed.
Letterjoy fits naturally on the primary-source day. It gives you a real document without requiring you to search archives, format excerpts, or build the lesson from scratch.
How to Choose the Best Homeschool History Curriculum
Before buying anything, ask these questions:
Do I want secular, Christian, or faith-informed history?
This will narrow the list quickly.
Do I want American history, world history, or both?
Some programs are stronger in one area than the other.
Does my child learn best through stories, structure, projects, videos, or discussion?
A reluctant reader may struggle with a book-heavy program. A child who hates worksheets may not thrive with a traditional textbook.
How much parent time do I have?
Some programs are truly open-and-go. Others require planning.
Do I need one curriculum for multiple ages?
If yes, look at family-style programs like The Mystery of History, Tapestry of Grace, The Story of the World, or unit studies.
Do I need grades or a transcript?
For high school, choose something with clear assignments, assessments, and credit-friendly structure.
Does the curriculum include primary sources?
If not, plan to add them. Primary sources are where students begin to think like historians.
A Simple Recommendation
If you are overwhelmed, choose by category.
For elementary students, start with The Story of the World, Beautiful Feet Books, History Quest, Sonlight, or BookShark.
For middle school, look at History Odyssey, Notgrass History, The Mystery of History, Beautiful Feet Books, Curiosity Chronicles, or Compass Classroom.
For high school, look at Notgrass History, Sonlight, Beautiful Feet Books, Compass Classroom, Tapestry of Grace, or a well-planned online or dual-enrollment course.
Then add primary sources.
That last step matters. A curriculum can teach students what happened. Primary sources help them understand how we know.
A historic letter can make George Washington, Abigail Adams, Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Clara Barton, Theodore Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, or Martin Luther King Jr. feel less like a name in a textbook and more like a person speaking across time.
That is why Letterjoy belongs in a homeschool history plan. It gives students the rare experience of reading history in the words of the people who lived it. It works alongside the curriculum you already use. And because Letterjoy is ESA-eligible and available on ClassWallet and other state marketplaces, many homeschool families can add it using approved education funds.
The best homeschool history curriculum gives your child structure. The best supplements give it life. Together, they can make history one of the most memorable parts of your homeschool.