Curriculum Types

An all-in-one curriculum (also called boxed curriculum) is a comprehensive homeschool package from a single publisher that includes materials for all core subjects, providing a complete educational program in one purchase.

Boxed curriculum (also called "school-in-a-box" or all-in-one curriculum) is a complete, pre-packaged educational program where one company provides all materials needed for every core subject for an entire school year.

Christian homeschool curriculum refers to educational programs designed to integrate Christian faith throughout all subjects. These materials present content from a Biblical worldview, often incorporating Scripture study, character development, and creationist science alongside core academics.

A curriculum map is a visual planning document that outlines what subjects and topics will be taught across the school year, organized by time period, giving homeschool families a bird's-eye view of their educational journey.

Hybrid curriculum refers to combining different educational approaches, formats, or curriculum providers to create a customized learning experience—such as mixing digital and print materials, using multiple publishers, or blending various teaching methodologies.

Independent curriculum is a customizable approach where homeschool parents select and combine individual educational resources rather than using a pre-packaged, all-in-one boxed curriculum.

A literature-based curriculum uses quality books and living literature—rather than textbooks—as the primary foundation for learning, engaging students through narrative and story across subjects like history, science, and language arts.

A mastery-based curriculum structures learning so students must demonstrate complete understanding of current concepts (typically 90% accuracy) before advancing to new material, ensuring solid foundations before building further.

Online curriculum refers to digital educational programs that deliver instruction through internet-enabled platforms, offering homeschool families options ranging from self-paced video lessons to live interactive classes with teachers.

Open-and-go curriculum is a pre-planned, all-in-one homeschool program that includes everything needed to start teaching immediately—no lesson planning, resource gathering, or extensive preparation required.

A scope and sequence is a curriculum document that outlines what content will be taught (scope) and the order in which it will be taught (sequence). It's your roadmap for the year's learning.

Secular curriculum refers to educational materials that present subjects without religious content or perspective, focusing on evidence-based, academically neutral instruction.

A self-paced curriculum allows students to progress through coursework at their own speed rather than following a fixed schedule, spending more time on challenging concepts and moving faster through mastered material.

A spiral curriculum revisits topics repeatedly throughout a child's education, introducing concepts at increasing levels of complexity each time rather than teaching to mastery before moving on.

A teacher-intensive curriculum requires significant direct involvement from the parent-teacher during lessons, with one-on-one instruction for each child rather than self-paced independent work.

Textbook curriculum is a structured homeschool approach using traditional printed textbooks, workbooks, and teacher guides organized by subject and grade level, providing a familiar classroom-style education at home.

Video-based curriculum delivers instruction through pre-recorded or live video lessons taught by professional educators, allowing students to learn from qualified teachers at home while parents supervise rather than directly teach.

Workbook curriculum is a homeschool approach using consumable workbooks as primary educational materials, where students complete exercises, answer questions, and practice skills directly in pre-structured, page-by-page lessons.