Finding the right homeschool curriculum for working parents can make a huge difference to your day.
I work from home for around 3–4 hours a day, so I need homeschool programs that don’t require me to personally teach every lesson.
Curriculum with video lessons, online classes, clear workbooks and independent learning helps my children keep moving while I get my own work done.
In this guide, I’ll share 10 of the best homeschool curriculum options for working parents, including both Christian and secular choices.
These programs can help busy homeschool moms and dads balance work, homeschooling and family life without sacrificing a quality education.
- 🎥 Want video-led independence for all ages? → BJU Press (what we use)
- 💰 Want a low-cost option? → Easy Peasy
- 👨👩👧👦 Homeschooling several children? → SchoolhouseTeachers
- 🧑🎓 Have an independent older student? → Compass Classroom
- 📚 Prefer an offline curriculum? → Generations
Want more options? I compare all 9 programs below. ↓
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post. If you want to do my course on how to homeschool, click here.
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Best Christian Homeschool Curriculum for Working Parents
If you’re looking for Christian options for your children where they can do most of the work independently, check out the options below, staring with the one we use, BJU Press (pictured below).
BJU Press
BJU Press is a great option for working parents because it combines physical workbooks with teacher-led, pre-recorded video lessons.
We use BJU Press in our own homeschool, and I work from home for around three hours a day, so having someone else teach many of the lessons makes a huge difference for me.
The video teachers do much of the instruction, which means children can gradually work more independently while parents get on with their own work.
BJU Press is also strongly rooted in a biblical worldview and the gospel, while still offering a rigorous academic program.
For younger children, you’ll still need to be a little bit involved. But it’s a little bit hands-on for a mostly independent curriculum, which is fantastic!
But as students get older, they can take on much more of the curriculum themselves, particularly with the online video courses.
BJU Press Homeschool itself is not accredited, but families who need accreditation can enrol separately through the Academy of Home Education.
For us, one of its biggest strengths is simple: my children get excellent teaching without me having to personally teach every subject. That makes homeschooling while working much more manageable.
See the BJU Press curriculum here OR read my BJU Press review here.
Compass Classroom
Compass Classroom (pictured above) is an excellent homeschool choice, offering video-based lessons that suit different learning styles.
Their content includes lectures, mini-movies, and in-between styles, making it engaging for kids.
What makes it even more remarkable is that it’s not just about memorizing facts; Compass Classroom encourages kids to think critically and use their brains.
With a primarily classical approach and some influences from the Charlotte Mason method, this course is not only educational but also fascinating for children.
It covers the usual subjects and adds some cool ones like:
- filmmaking,
- Latin,
- Spanish, and
- ‘The Vocab Show.’
Compass Classroom makes learning exciting, helping kids explore various topics beyond the basics.
Parents can be confident that their children are learning subjects and developing essential thinking skills that will be valuable in their lives.
The only thing to be aware of is that they don’t have great homeschool options for kindergarten.
Discover Compass Classroom here OR read a CC review.
Veritas Press
Veritas Press (pictured above) is a top-notch choice for homeschooling, offering a classical accredited homeschool curriculum with a Christian focus.
They provide fun courses through live online video classes, making learning interactive and engaging.
What sets Veritas Press apart is its flexibility to accommodate different preferences.
Suppose you prefer a more independent learning style. In that case, Veritas offers self-paced classes, which are not only flexible but also budget-friendly.
Another option is the self-teach approach, where parents can take on the instructor role for their children, creating a personalized learning experience.
Not sure which option is suitable for your family? Veritas Press provides a free consultation to help you navigate the choices.
This not only assists in finding the best program but also ensures your child is placed accurately within the curriculum.
Get a free homeschool consultation with Veritas here or read a review here.
Apologia
Apologia is a fantastic all-in-one homeschool choice for busy parents because it encourages kids to read their textbooks independently.
These specially designed books offer a unique blend of exciting stories, providing a wealth of knowledge from a biblical perspective.
While some parents enjoy reading the material to their children, the beauty of Apologia lies in its flexibility, allowing children to learn on their own when time is tight.
Apologia is renowned for its creation science program, offering a distinctive and biblically-centered approach to scientific topics. The curriculum is informative and engaging, making learning a captivating experience for students.
The Apologia preschool homeschool kit is an excellent choice for parents of young children who can spare around half an hour a day for shared reading.
Read an Apologia review here or look at the program directly here.
Abeka
Abeka has been a go-to for homeschooling families for decades, and even second-generation homeschool parents, like myself, have fond memories of using it.
They’ve kept up with the times by offering online video lessons taught by teachers and providing physical workbooks for offline activities.
Abeka is a good fit for working parents because teachers take the lead in teaching, allowing parents to work in the background. While it’s a more traditional program, it might only suit some people’s idea of a homeschool schedule, as lessons are longer than most homeschool picks.
If you’re considering Abeka, it’s often compared with BJU Press, giving you options to explore.
In the end, Abeka remains a trusted and enduring choice for homeschooling, carrying on its legacy from generation to generation.
Check out a review of Abeka here OR their program directly here.
Monarch
Monarch stands out as an excellent homeschool curriculum for middle school and high school. They use online lessons, including printed text, images, and videos. This helps provide a varied and engaging learning experience.
For Christian families looking for an affordable program that allows children to work independently online, Monarch is a well-priced option.
Its user-friendly approach makes it a particularly suitable homeschool curriculum for working parents seeking an option children can do independently.
Developed by Alpha Omega Publications, a trusted name in homeschool curriculum for decades, Monarch reflects the expertise and commitment to quality for which the publisher is known. Alpha Omega Publications is also the creator of other well-regarded programs like Lifepac, Ignite Christian Academy, Weaver, and Horizons.
Check out a review of Monarch here OR the curriculum directly here.
All-In-One Easy Peasy Homeschool
Easy Peasy All in One is a free Christian homeschool curriculum for primary, middle, and high school.
Specifically designed for children to work independently once they can read, it offers a self-guided learning experience.
While the program may be less visually appealing, its content is substantial. It draws from a variety of free resources available on the internet. As a free option, Easy Peasy is an excellent choice for working homeschool parents on a tight budget.
Though it’s rooted in a Christian perspective, many secular users also find value in Easy Peasy by skipping the Bible portions. The program’s creator, Lee Giles, approaches science from a creation science perspective, offering a biblical angle on scientific topics.
Look at an Easy Peasy review here.
The Robinson Curriculum
The Robinson curriculum was designed by a working homeschool dad who needed a program his children could do independently, as he didn’t have enough time to sit with them during the day.
The program is a Christian open-and-go homeschool curriculum and is one huge PDF.
They include all subjects, and children can slowly work through the material.
For a few hundred dollars, this can be a good choice. But, because of its format, it may not be for everyone.
Check out a review of the Robinson curriculum here.
10. BEST Secular Homeschool Curriculum for Working Parents
You might prefer some secular curriculum if you’re a working parent. Take a look at these options:
- Time4Learning – an online curriculum
- Beast Academy – advanced math
- Juni Learning – 1:1 learning
- Acellus – complete secular homeschool curriculum. Review here
- Under the Home – free Charlotte Mason curriculum reviewed here
- K12 – online homeschool curriculum
- Oak Meadow – an accredited nature-based curriculum
- Khan Academy – free option with video lessons but not a complete curriculum
- ABCmouse – suitable for younger kids.
- Night Zookeeper…keep reading.
10. Night Zookeeper
If you want something that’s easy for parents and fun for kids, check out Night Zookeper (pictured above).
This is a fun language arts learning app that engages children with bright graphics and online games.
The program is very easy to use, and parents have everything graded for them.
They even have online tutors to give tips and encouragement after children write stories or articles.
There are lots of rewards, and kids start feeling like a hero after playing this program for a while.
This is a secular program. Many parents use it in place of screen time.
BUY the program here.
Preschool Curriculum for Working Parents
If you’re homeschooling a preschooler while also trying to get some work done, BJU Press Footsteps for Fours is worth a look.
I used Footsteps for Fours with Penny and really enjoyed it. It’s a gentle, colourful preschool program that introduces early learning skills from a Christian worldview without making preschool feel like full-blown school.
It does require some parent involvement, so I wouldn’t call it a completely independent option. But the lessons are manageable, engaging, and easy to fit around a busy day—which matters when you’re trying to work and homeschool at the same time.
Take a look at BJU Press Footsteps for Fours here.
Homeschool Reading Program for Struggling Readers
If you have a child who is struggling to learn to read, All About Reading is a really solid option to consider.
It’s an open-and-go, mastery-based reading program that teaches phonics explicitly and step by step. The lessons use cards, readers, activities and hands-on components, which can be especially helpful for children who need more repetition or a more structured approach.
It isn’t independent—you do need to teach the lessons—but everything is clearly laid out, so you’re not spending hours preparing reading lessons yourself.
Take a look at All About Reading here.
And if reading is a bigger struggle in your homeschool, especially if you’re dealing with dyslexia, check out my post on the best homeschool curriculum picks for struggling readers and dyslexic students here.
BEFORE Homeschooling Do This…
You may feel a bit desperate, and you’ve just taken your kids out of school, but you think, “I’ve still got to work.”
If so, I’d suggest you deschool for a few months before starting a formal curriculum.
When you do this, it doesn’t mean your kids do nothing.
It would help if you got them into nature and lots of fun things…see this article on the process of deschooling here.
But also make sure you get your kids into good books.
Here’s a COMPLETE HOMESCHOOL BOOKLIST you can use for free! You can get them as free homeschool books if you listen to them on YouTube (most are available as audiobooks there).
While you’re on YouTube, SUBSCRIBE to my How to Homeschool channel for more helpful homeschool info (you can watch my two videos above!)
The Bottom Line on the Best Homeschool Curriculum for Working Parents
Homeschooling while working can absolutely be done, but the curriculum you choose matters a lot.
The best option is usually one that takes some of the teaching load off your shoulders—whether that means video lessons, online classes, clear independent work, or simply lessons that are easy to pick up and use without hours of preparation.
You also don’t need the most impressive or rigorous curriculum on the market.
You need something that actually works in your home, with your children, and with the time you realistically have available.
For our family, programs with strong video teaching and clear structure have made homeschooling much more manageable. But every family is different, so use the options above as a starting point and choose the one that seems to fit your children and your working schedule best.
And remember: the goal isn’t to recreate school at home while simultaneously doing a full day’s work.
It’s to build a homeschool that is sustainable enough to keep doing well over the long haul.
