CTCMath is an online, subscription-based math curriculum for grades K-12 featuring short video lessons taught by an Australian teacher, with family pricing that covers unlimited children for under $200 annually.
What is CTC Math?
CTCMath (ctcmath.com) delivers comprehensive math instruction through over 1,400 video lessons, each running 4-9 minutes. Created by Patrick Murray, an Australian teacher with 30+ years of experience who homeschooled his own 10 children, the program covers kindergarten through 12th grade including Calculus. Each lesson pairs a brief video explanation with interactive practice problems. Students work at their own pace through a mastery-based progression, moving forward only after demonstrating understanding. A single family subscription—typically $150-200 annually—grants access to all grade levels for up to 10 children, making it one of the most cost-effective complete math curricula available.
Key Takeaways
- Covers K-12 math through Calculus with 1,400+ video tutorials
- Family subscription under $200/year includes all grades and up to 10 children
- Short, focused lessons minimize screen time while maximizing instruction
- Mastery-based progression with automated grading and parent reporting
- Works on all devices including tablets and phones
How CTCMath Works
Students log in, select their lesson, watch a short video tutorial, then complete practice problems. The system grades work instantly—at least through 8th grade. High school courses shift to multiple-choice format with some printed components. Parent dashboards show exactly what each child completed, how long they spent, and their scores. The entire K-12 curriculum is available to every subscriber, so a struggling 6th grader can review 4th-grade fractions while an advanced 3rd grader explores pre-algebra. This flexibility, combined with minimal parent instruction time, makes CTCMath popular with large families and parents who don't consider themselves "math people."
Value Proposition
The pricing stands out. A family with four children pays the same $150-200 annually as a family with one. Compare that to curriculum priced per student per grade, where four children might cost $400-800 yearly. CTCMath's short lessons also offer efficiency—no extraneous explanations, no busywork, just targeted instruction and practice. Families report completing math in 20-30 minutes daily. For parents juggling multiple subjects and children, that efficiency matters as much as the dollar savings.
Limitations to Consider
CTCMath isn't for everyone. The program provides no obvious scope and sequence, making it difficult to determine if your student is "on track" for their grade. Some families find high school courses lack sufficient practice problems for retention. The mastery approach—doing one topic until mastered before moving on—frustrates students who prefer variety. And the entire program is online: no workbooks, no manipulatives, no offline options. Families wanting tactile math learning or those with unreliable internet should look elsewhere. The Australian accent, while charming to most, occasionally trips up students unfamiliar with different English pronunciations.
The Bottom Line
CTCMath excels at delivering solid math instruction efficiently and affordably. It won't win awards for innovative pedagogy or hands-on learning, but it accomplishes what many families need: clear explanations, adequate practice, automatic grading, and progress tracking at a price that doesn't strain the budget. The program works best for self-motivated students in elementary and middle school grades, families with multiple children, and parents who prefer to delegate math instruction to a video teacher while maintaining oversight through the parent dashboard.
