The Khan Academy Homeschool Curriculum Review: A FULL Curriculum?

Are you looking for a way to supplement your homeschool curriculum? Khan Academy is a secular resource for students of any age. It offers free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. This article provides an in-depth review of the Khan Academy homeschool curriculum with a look at its features, benefits, and potential drawbacks. By the end of this review, readers will be able to make an informed decision about whether or this program is right for them.

Let’s take a closer look at the curriculum more below.

Affiliate links are used on this website.

What is the Khan Academy?

Khan Academy is a secular, non-profit educational organization that provides free online educational resources, including video lessons and interactive exercises, in various subjects. The website was started in 2008 by Salman “Sal” Khan, a former hedge fund analyst and educator.

Features of This Curriculum

Here are some of the key features of Khan Academy:

1. Video lessons: Khan Academy offers various video lessons on various subjects, including math, science, history, and computer programming.
2. Practice exercises: KA provides interactive exercises designed to help students master the material covered in the video lessons.
3. Tracking and progress monitoring: KA allows students to track their progress and monitor their performance on practice exercises and quizzes.
4. Skill-based learning: KA organizes its content into skills, allowing students to focus on specific areas they need to work on.
5. Personalized learning: KA’s learning platform adapts to the student’s individual needs and provides tailored recommendations for further study.
6. Mobile app availability: KA has a mobile application for both ios and android devices that allows students to access the educational content and practice exercises on the go.
7. Free of charge: KA is a free curriculum and provides open access to all content.
8. Multi-language support: KA has translated its platform and content into multiple languages, such as Spanish, French, etc.
9. Resources for educators: KA provides resources to integrate the platform into the classroom and track students’ progress.
10. Mentorship and Community support: KA has a mentor and student community where students can get help, ask questions, and communicate with mentors and peers.

As you can see, this curriculum has a lot of features!

Can the Khan Academy Be Used as a Full Curriculum

While Khan Academy can be used as a supplement to a homeschooling curriculum, it is not intended to be used as a complete curriculum. The program is best used as a tool to supplement and reinforce concepts being taught in a homeschool setting, and it can also be used as a resource for parents and teachers to help explain complex concepts.

This program is also not accredited. Accreditation isn’t a must for a homeschool curriculum. However, it is helpful if you’re doing short-term homeschooling.

Are There Any Drawbacks to Using This for Homeschooling?

There are several potential drawbacks to using Khan Academy for homeschooling:

1. Limited curriculum: Khan Academy primarily focuses on math and science, and while it does offer some content in other subjects, the selection is limited compared to more comprehensive homeschooling curriculums.
2. Lack of structure: Because KA is self-paced, it may be more difficult for some students to stay on track without the structure of a traditional classroom setting.
3. Limited interaction: KA is primarily a video-based learning platform, so there is less opportunity for interaction with other students or teachers compared to a traditional classroom setting.
4. No assessments or evaluations: KA does not provide formal assessments or evaluations of student progress, which may make it difficult for parents or guardians to monitor their child’s progress or determine their level of understanding.
5. Less support: KA is primarily a self-study resource, and it may not provide adequate support for students who need more help with specific subjects or learning styles.

These are some examples of drawbacks; there may be more depending on the student’s needs and the whole context that the student is learning.

Khan Academy vs Other Programs

Let’s compare KA with some other homeschool curriculum programs below.

Compass Classroom Vs Khan Academy

Khan Academy and Compass Classroom are both online educational resources, but they have some key differences:

1. Curriculum offerings: Khan Academy primarily focuses on math and science, while Compass Classroom offers a more comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of subjects, including language arts, history, and science.
2. teaching approach: KA provides video lessons and practice exercises that students can work through at their own pace. Compass Classroom, on the other hand, uses a more traditional approach to homeschooling, with textbooks, workbooks, and teacher guides.
3. Support: KA provides a wide range of video lessons, but it may not provide enough support for students who need more help with certain subjects or learning styles. Compass Classroom, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive support system, including live support and an active community of homeschooling families.
4. Cost: KA is free, while Compass Classroom is a paid subscription service.
5. Accreditation: KA does not provide accreditation or issue official certifications. At the same time, Compass Classroom offers a program where students can earn high school credit for the work they complete.

In summary, KA is an excellent resource for students who want to learn math and science at their own pace, but it may not be enough as a complete curriculum. Compass Classroom is a more comprehensive homeschooling curriculum that offers a wide range of subjects, textbooks, and support for homeschooling families, but it does come with a cost.

Schoolhouse Teachers vs Khan Academy

Schoolhouse Teachers and Khan Academy are both online educational resources, but they have some key differences:

1. Curriculum offerings: Schoolhouse Teachers is a comprehensive online homeschool curriculum that covers various subjects, including math, language arts, history, and science. Khan Academy primarily focuses on math and science, but it also offers some content in other subjects.
2. Teaching approach: Schoolhouse Teachers provide a mix of traditional and interactive approaches, with some classes taught through videos, some through assignments and quizzes, and others through interactive activities. Khan Academy provides primarily video lessons and practice exercises that students can work through at their own pace.
3. Schoolhouse Teachers is a Christian-based curriculum. It is designed to provide a Christian perspective on education and incorporates biblical principles throughout the curriculum.
4. Support: Schoolhouse Teachers provide support for homeschooling families, including teacher support, lesson planning and tracking, assessment, and accreditation services. Khan Academy also provides support through its platform, but it is more focused on providing videos and practice exercises.
5. Accreditation: Schoolhouse Teachers offers a high school diploma program, report cards, and transcripts, while Khan Academy does not provide accreditation or issue official certifications.
6. Cost: Schoolhouse Teachers is a paid subscription service, while KA is free.

In summary, Schoolhouse Teachers is a comprehensive online homeschool curriculum that covers a wide range of subjects, with a mix of traditional and interactive approaches, offering accreditation and support services. While Khan Academy is an excellent resource for students who want to learn math and science at their own pace, with an interactive approach, it may not be enough as a complete curriculum. The curriculum choice will depend on the student’s needs, the teaching style and personal preferences of the teacher/parent, and the whole context of the student’s education. Learn more about Schoolhouse Teachers in this comprehensive review here.

BJU Press vs Khan Academy

BJU Press and Khan Academy are both educational resources, but they have some key differences:

1. Curriculum offerings: BJU Press is a publisher that provides a Christian-based homeschool curriculum for various subjects, including math, language arts, history, and science. Khan Academy primarily focuses on math and science, but it also offers some content in other subjects.
2. Teaching approach: BJU Press uses a traditional approach to homeschooling, with textbooks, workbooks, and teacher guides. KA, on the other hand, provides video lessons and practice exercises that students can work through at their own pace.
3. Support: BJU Press provides support for homeschooling families through teacher’s guides, answer keys, and other resources. KA provides support through its platform, but it is more focused on providing videos and practice exercises.
4. Accreditation: BJU Press homeschool curriculum provides a program that allows students to earn high school credit for their work, while KA does not provide accreditation or issue official certifications.
5. Cost: BJU Press curriculum is not free, and it is sold as a package; KA is free.

In summary, BJU Press is a comprehensive Christian-based homeschool curriculum that covers a wide range of subjects with a traditional approach to teaching and offers accreditation, while Khan Academy is an excellent resource for students who want to learn math and science at their own pace, and it’s free. The curriculum choice will depend on the student’s needs, the teaching style and personal preferences of the teacher/parent, and the whole context of the student’s education.

Are There Other Programs Similar to the Khan Academy?

Khan Academy is most similar to an online, self-paced, and interactive curriculum. It offers a variety of video lessons and practice exercises on a wide range of subjects, similar to other online educational resources like Khan Academy, such as:

1. ALEKS: ALEKS (Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces) is an online curriculum that focuses on math and science and adapts to the student’s individual needs. It provides interactive lessons, practice exercises, and assessments to track student progress.
2. IXL Learning: IXL Learning is an online curriculum that offers interactive lessons and practice exercises on various subjects, including math, language arts, science, and social studies.
3. My Path by Carnegie Learning: My Path is an online math curriculum that uses artificial intelligence to adapt to the student’s individual learning style and pace. It provides interactive lessons, practice exercises, and assessments to track student progress.
4. Thinkster Math: is a math curriculum for grades K-8 that adapts to the student’s individual needs and provides interactive lessons, practice exercises, and assessments to track student progress.
5. Time4Learning: Time4Learning is an online, interactive curriculum that covers various subjects, including math, science, language arts, and social studies. It is designed for grades PreK-12 and offers interactive lessons, practice exercises, and assessments to track student progress.

Khan Academy can be compared with the above-mentioned platforms as they are all interactive and self-paced and help to track student progress. However, Khan Academy focuses mainly on math and science, while others cover a broader range of subjects.

Will This Program Help to Get Into College?

Khan Academy is widely used as a resource to prepare students for college entrance exams such as the SAT, ACT, and AP Exams. However, It’s important to note that Khan Academy alone is not a complete preparation for college; the students should also aim to get other forms of experience, such as from college courses or through independent study and research.

Who is the Founder of the Khan Academy?

Salman Khan is the founder and CEO of Khan Academy. He is also a philanthropist, education reform advocate, and author. He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School; besides that, he has a Master’s in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT.

Khan Academy is suitable for all ages.

Children, parents, and teachers can use the resources provided by Khan Academy to learn new skills, reinforce existing knowledge, or prepare for exams.

Can I Use the Khan Academy to Help Me Study Pre-Medical School Exams?

Khan Academy can be a valuable resource for students preparing for pre-medical school exams, such as the MCAT or the DAT, as it offers a wide range of resources on math, science, and other subjects typically covered on these exams.

For example, KA has resources on biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology, all of which are tested in the MCAT.

Additionally, KA offers resources on quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and critical analysis, which are all crucial skills for the MCAT.

It’s worth noting that Khan Academy has also created an MCAT test prep course, which is a set of resources and practice problems specifically tailored for the MCAT exam, it provides videos that explain key concepts, practice questions and quizzes, and detailed explanations of the answers.

Also, note that the Khan Academy should not be the only resource you use for studying for pre-medical school exams like the MCAT or DAT. The exams have a specific format and content to cover; therefore, you should also consider using resources specific to the exam you are taking, such as official study guides and practice tests.

In addition, seeking the advice of a pre-med advisor, taking an MCAT prep course, or joining a study group, can also be beneficial.

It’s always a good idea to consult with your pre-med advisor or an advisor from your institution regarding the most appropriate resources and study strategies for your particular needs.

Want to Learn About Homeschooling?

There are two great ways to learn more about homeschooling: one is free, and one is a $67 fundamentals course.

1. The Ultimate Homeschool Parenting Program

Transform your homeschooling experience and take it to the next level with our comprehensive online course.

Led by expert educator, Rebecca Devitt, you’ll learn the strategies and techniques you need to make homeschooling a success. This program is packed with valuable resources, a personalized curriculum and an effective way to manage your time that will help your children thrive.

You’ll have lifetime access to the course for just $67.

Sign up now and start your journey to a successful homeschooling experience!

2. The Free How to Homeschool YouTube Channel

Want something better than a homeschool blog? Look no further than the How to Homeschool YouTube channel!

This channel is designed to help homeschooling parents with expert tips, educational content and a wide range of resources.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the homeschooling world, you’ll find something valuable on our channel. And the best part? It’s completely free!

Don’t forget to subscribe and explore our playlists such as “Starting homeschool“, “Homeschool Methods“, “Homeschool Curriculum” and “FAQs on Homeschooling“.

Why Homeschool?

Looking for a comprehensive guide to understanding the benefits of homeschooling and why it’s the best choice for your family?

Look no further than “Why on Earth Homeschool“! This book takes an in-depth look at the reasons why homeschooling is an amazing option for families and uncovering the many benefits that are often overlooked.

Discover the benefits of individualized learning, flexible scheduling, strong family bonds and an opportunity for your children to thrive in a way that traditional schools cannot offer. This book will not only offer you the chance to understand the many benefits of homeschooling, but it will also provide you with insights and practical tips to help you make the best decision for your family.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to unlock the full potential of homeschooling with this comprehensive guide.

Order your copy of “Why on Earth Homeschool” today and start your journey towards an exceptional educational experience for your children.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Khan Academy Homeschool Curriculum is a great supplement for parents and students looking to stay on top of their studies from home. The curriculum offers a variety of topics, from Math and Science to Art and Music. It also provides helpful tools such as free online resources and teacher support. Additionally, the adaptive learning capabilities allow individualized instruction that can cater to each student’s specific needs.