Sonlight is a literature-based Christian homeschool curriculum that uses real books instead of textbooks, integrating history, Bible, and literature into comprehensive, ready-to-teach programs for grades K-12.
What is Sonlight?
Sonlight is a complete homeschool curriculum built around the power of quality literature rather than traditional textbooks. Founded in 1990, the program integrates history, Bible study, and literature into cohesive learning experiences where students read biographies, historical fiction, and award-winning books to explore the world. The curriculum comes with detailed Instructor's Guides that provide daily lesson plans, discussion questions, and teaching notes—making it genuinely open-and-go for busy parents who want rigorous academics without hours of lesson prep.
Key Takeaways
- Literature-based approach using real books instead of textbooks
- Complete Instructor's Guides with daily lesson plans and discussion prompts
- Multi-age friendly—siblings can learn history and literature together
- Christian worldview while engaging thoughtfully with diverse perspectives
- Covers preschool through 12th grade with flexible level placement
How Sonlight Works
Sonlight organizes learning around History/Bible/Literature packages where all subjects connect through a central historical period or theme. Rather than rigid grade levels, the curriculum uses Levels (A through 500+) that allow flexibility based on your child's reading ability and maturity. Each package includes all the books you need, a comprehensive Instructor's Guide with week-by-week schedules, and optional add-ons for math, science, and language arts. Most families spend their morning on the couch together, reading aloud and discussing—an approach Sonlight calls 'couch learning' that turns education into genuine family time.
What Makes It Different
Where many Christian curricula avoid secular perspectives, Sonlight intentionally includes books by non-Christian authors and explores challenging ideas—with the expectation that parents will discuss these perspectives with their children. This approach builds critical thinking skills and prepares students to engage thoughtfully with the broader world. The program also emphasizes biography heavily, believing that children learn character and wisdom through the stories of real people who faced difficult choices. For families who want their children to encounter great literature while maintaining strong biblical foundations, this balanced approach has proven compelling for over 250,000 families.
Program Structure
Cost Considerations
Sonlight positions itself as a premium curriculum, and the upfront investment reflects that—complete packages typically run several hundred dollars per year. However, the program includes all books, guides, and materials, eliminating the need to source resources separately. The books can be reused with younger siblings, and Sonlight offers a generous 30-plus year money-back guarantee that lets families try the curriculum risk-free. For families who value literature-rich education and appreciate having everything planned for them, the cost often proves worthwhile over time.
The Bottom Line
Sonlight offers families a distinctive approach to homeschooling that puts great books at the center of learning. The curriculum works particularly well for families who enjoy reading aloud together, want their children exposed to quality literature, and appreciate having thorough lesson plans that eliminate prep work. While the price point is higher than some alternatives, the reusable materials and comprehensive nature make it economical for multi-child families over time. If your family loves stories and wants education built around ideas rather than worksheets, Sonlight deserves serious consideration.
