Full Homeschool Curriculum: What It Includes and How to Choose One
Full Homeschool Curriculum: What It Includes and How to Choose One
When parents say they want a "full homeschool curriculum," they usually mean one of two things: either they want a complete boxed package that covers every subject so they don't have to piece things together, or they want to understand what a complete, legally sufficient education actually looks like so they can build one themselves.
This guide covers both. First, what a full curriculum includes. Second, the leading all-in-one programs. Third, how to decide whether a boxed curriculum or a subject-by-subject build is right for your family.
What a Full Homeschool Curriculum Covers
A complete K–12 homeschool curriculum addresses five core subject areas plus electives. In most states, these subjects are legally required in some form, and in Missouri specifically, state law (RSMo §167.031) requires that at least 600 of the mandatory 1,000 annual instructional hours be spent in core subjects.
Core subjects:
- Reading and Language Arts — phonics (for early readers), reading comprehension, grammar, writing, composition, spelling, vocabulary
- Mathematics — arithmetic through algebra, geometry, and higher math depending on grade level
- Science — life science, earth science, physical science, biology, chemistry, physics (typically rotating by grade band)
- Social Studies — history (American and world), geography, civics, economics
- Health and Physical Education — often handled less formally, but required for legal compliance in states that mandate it
Typical electives:
- Foreign language
- Fine arts (music, visual art)
- Technology / computer science
- Logic and critical thinking
- Bible or worldview (for faith-based curricula)
- Practical life skills
A "full" curriculum covers all five core areas. Most all-in-one boxed programs do exactly this, though some treat health and PE as the family's responsibility rather than a packaged component.
All-in-One vs. Subject-by-Subject: The Core Tradeoff
All-in-one boxed curriculum gives you a complete package — one company, one philosophy, one scope and sequence from kindergarten through 12th grade. The advantage is simplicity. You open the box, follow the plan, and have everything you need. The disadvantage is inflexibility: if your child loves the math program but hates the writing approach, you are buying a package deal.
Subject-by-subject building lets you select the best program for each subject based on your child's learning style and your teaching preferences. You might use Singapore Math, All About Reading, Story of the World for history, and Apologia for science. The advantage is that each subject is optimized. The disadvantage is the research burden: you have to evaluate, purchase, and coordinate multiple programs, and make sure coverage doesn't gap or significantly overlap between them.
Most families start with an all-in-one program for the simplicity, then migrate toward a subject-by-subject build as they learn more about their child's needs and their own teaching style.
The Leading All-in-One Homeschool Curricula
Sonlight
Philosophy: Literature-based, Christian worldview, rich read-alouds as the backbone of instruction. Grades: Pre-K through 12 Best for: Families who love books and want history, literature, and language arts woven together rather than taught as isolated subjects.
Sonlight is organized around Instructor's Guides that schedule daily reading assignments across all subjects. The program is book-heavy — you receive a large library of living books, read-alouds, and readers with each package. Science and math are sold separately. It is one of the more expensive all-in-one options but is highly respected for the quality of literature selection and the conceptual depth it builds over years.
Abeka
Philosophy: Traditional Christian, structured, teacher-directed, textbook-based. Grades: Pre-K through 12 Best for: Families who want a rigorous, traditional school structure at home; children who thrive with clearly defined daily lessons and frequent review.
Abeka is one of the most widely used Christian homeschool curricula. Its approach mirrors a traditional classroom: daily lessons, regular tests and quizzes, cumulative review built into each subject's scope and sequence. It covers all core subjects in one package and is known for reading instruction that produces early, confident readers. The writing and grammar programs are particularly thorough.
My Father's World (MFW)
Philosophy: Charlotte Mason and classical influences, Christian, integrated history-and-literature spine. Grades: Pre-K through 12 Best for: Families who want a gentler, more nature-oriented approach with meaningful historical integration; particularly strong for elementary grades.
MFW builds its curriculum around a rotating history spine that integrates Bible, literature, and science into the historical period being studied. This creates a cohesive, thematic feel rather than a collection of disconnected subjects. Supplementary subjects (math, language arts) are recommended from other publishers. Strong community support through local MFW co-ops.
The Good and the Beautiful (TGAB)
Philosophy: Christian (non-denominational), Charlotte Mason-influenced, heavily focused on beautiful design and nature study. Grades: Pre-K through 10 Best for: Families who value aesthetically rich materials; often used by families transitioning from secular curricula who want a faith-based option.
TGAB has grown rapidly in popularity partly because its course materials are available as free PDFs (printing is your cost) in addition to a printed option. The language arts and math programs are thorough. History courses are narrative and visually appealing. The program does not yet cover 11th and 12th grade comprehensively, so high school families often need to supplement.
Monarch (AOP Digital)
Philosophy: Christian, self-paced, computer-based. Grades: 3–12 Best for: Self-directed learners; families with multiple children who need independence in coursework.
Monarch is Alpha Omega Publications' fully digital curriculum. All lessons, quizzes, and tests are delivered through an online platform. Parents get a dashboard with grades and progress tracking. It covers all core subjects. Because it is self-paced, students who master a unit quickly can advance; students who need more time can review without feeling behind.
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Building a Full Curriculum Subject by Subject
If you prefer to build rather than buy a package, the most-used combination among experienced homeschoolers:
Math: Singapore Math (conceptual depth, K–8), Saxon (spiral, strong in upper grades), or Math-U-See (mastery-based, excellent for visual learners)
Reading and Language Arts: All About Reading (phonics, beginning readers), All About Spelling, Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) for composition
History: Story of the World (narrative, K–8), Mystery of History (Christian alternative), or Notgrass (high school)
Science: Apologia (Christian, classical), Real Science Odyssey (secular-friendly), or Elemental Science
Foreign Language: Rosetta Stone, Power-Glide, or Latin for Beginners (classical programs often start with Latin)
The subject-by-subject approach requires more coordination but gives you optimized tools for each area of learning.
What Missouri Law Actually Requires
If you are selecting a curriculum because you have just decided to homeschool in Missouri, knowing the legal baseline helps: Missouri does not require any specific curriculum, does not approve or review your curriculum choices, and does not require state registration.
What Missouri law (RSMo §167.031) does require:
- 1,000 total instructional hours per year
- At least 600 of those hours in reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science
- A plan book or weekly log of subjects covered
- A portfolio of work samples
- Records of evaluations (tests, quizzes, progress notes — not standardized testing)
Any of the curricula above, properly used, satisfies these requirements with room to spare. The legal question in Missouri is not which curriculum you choose — it is whether you complete the withdrawal from public school correctly before you start.
If you are mid-withdrawal or about to send your withdrawal letter, the Missouri Legal Withdrawal Blueprint covers the legal process in full: the exact withdrawal letter language, the certified mail delivery requirement, what your school district cannot legally demand from you, and how to set up your record-keeping system from day one. Getting the withdrawal right takes an afternoon. Getting it wrong can trigger truancy proceedings that take months to resolve.
Choosing Between All-in-One and Custom
For families in their first year, an all-in-one curriculum significantly reduces decision fatigue. Start with Abeka or MFW if you want a Christian program with clear structure. Start with Sonlight if you want literature-rich, historically integrated content.
For families entering a second or third year with a clearer picture of how their child learns, a subject-by-subject build often produces better outcomes because each subject is matched to the child's actual learning style rather than the curriculum company's single approach.
Either way, the curriculum is secondary to the legal foundation. Establish your homeschool correctly first. Then pick the program that fits.
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