Secular curriculum refers to educational materials that present subjects without religious content or perspective, focusing on evidence-based, academically neutral instruction.
What is Secular Curriculum?
Secular curriculum teaches academic subjects without religious doctrine or influence. A secular science program presents evolution based on scientific evidence without mentioning creationism. A secular history curriculum covers world religions from a historical and cultural perspective rather than presenting any faith as correct. The focus is purely academic: evidence-based, peer-reviewed content that sticks to the facts. Importantly, secular doesn't mean anti-religious—it simply means religion isn't part of the academic content. Many families who use secular curriculum teach faith separately according to their own beliefs and timeline.
Key Takeaways
- Presents subjects without religious content, not against religion
- Science teaches evolution and established theories without creationism or intelligent design
- History covers religions culturally and historically without promoting any faith
- Used by diverse families: atheist, agnostic, multi-faith, and religious families who separate academics from faith instruction
- Major providers include Build Your Library, Blossom and Root, BookShark, and Real Science Odyssey
Why Families Choose Secular Curriculum
Motivations vary widely. Some families are non-religious and want academics free from faith perspectives. Some are religious but prefer to teach faith separately, keeping academics focused on content. Multi-faith households may want neutral ground that doesn't favor one tradition. Some families simply prioritize evidence-based instruction in subjects like science where secular and religious curricula differ most significantly. The common thread is wanting academic content to stand on its own merits without religious interpretation.
Popular Secular Options
Identifying Secular Materials
When evaluating curriculum, look for explicit statements that it's secular—publishers who design for this market usually say so clearly. Check science sections for how evolution and origins are treated. Review history content for neutral treatment of world religions. The absence of Bible verses, scripture references, or statements about God's plan indicates secular content. Resources like The Secular Homeschooler Resource Guide specifically catalog curriculum as secular or not, saving you the detective work.
Subjects Where It Matters Most
The secular/religious distinction impacts some subjects more than others. Science differs most—secular curricula teach evolution and scientific theories without creationism. History treatment varies in how religions are presented culturally versus devotionally. Health and sex education approaches often differ significantly. Literature book selections may vary. Math and foreign languages rarely have meaningful differences regardless of publisher. Families sometimes mix secular and religious curricula across subjects based on these considerations.
The Bottom Line
Secular curriculum serves families who want academic instruction without religious content—whether because they're non-religious, prefer to teach faith separately, or want evidence-based coverage of subjects like science. The market has expanded significantly, with complete programs like Build Your Library and Blossom and Root offering full K-12 secular options alongside subject-specific materials. When evaluating curriculum, check science content for evolution treatment and look for explicit statements about the publisher's approach. The goal is finding materials aligned with how you want academics presented in your homeschool.
