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Secular, literature-based curriculum with a humanist, critical-thinking bent.
Updated September 2026 · 6 sources
| Grades | PreK–5th |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Literature, history, science, art, philosophy/critical-thinking, poetry (math and handwriting sourced separately) |
| Math | Not included: add your own math |
| Faith | No religious content |
| Approach | Literature-based, eclectic: Socratic discussion, hands-on projects and multi-sensory learning |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Moderate (guide provided; parent gathers/borrows books and preps hands-on activities) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | None: no video instruction; parent-led reading and discussion |
| Cost | $47: Level 3 PDF guide (36 weeks); book list and math are separate, many titles available at the library (source) |
| Placement | Torchlight Level Placement Tool Short interactive quiz to find the right starting level |
| ESA vendor | Publisher is on the approved vendor list in Arkansas (Direct Pay), New Hampshire. Checked September 2026; each state's list can change and applies to the publisher, not every product. |
Is it right for your child? Answer a few questions to see how Torchlight Curriculum ranks against 24 other programs.
See my matchSecular families drawn to Torchlight like its literature-and-discussion approach: real books paired with Socratic questions, hands-on art and science, and a stated focus on empathy and critical thinking. The most common caution, including from Cathy Duffy, is that it leans into a secular humanist perspective of its own rather than being religiously neutral, on top of the usual DIY-curriculum tradeoff of gathering or buying a lot of books and running the hands-on activities yourself.
These come straight from the scoring rules the quiz uses.
Literature, history, science, art, philosophy/critical-thinking, poetry (math and handwriting sourced separately). It's described as literature-based, eclectic: Socratic discussion, hands-on projects and multi-sensory learning.
No. Torchlight Curriculum covers the other subjects and leaves math to you, so plan to add a math program.
Torchlight Curriculum covers grades PreK–5th.
$47: Level 3 PDF guide (36 weeks); book list and math are separate, many titles available at the library. Prices were checked on publisher or retailer pages in September 2026; check current prices before buying.
No religious content.
Mostly offline (books and paper). The parent teaches from a scripted guide.
Yes. Torchlight Level Placement Tool. Short interactive quiz to find the right starting level