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Best homeschool civics and economics for independent learners

Some civics and economics courses are built so a teen reads, writes and checks answers mostly alone, with a parent grading essays and tests. These are the ones that ask the least of your time.

Updated September 2026 · 14 programs compared · rankings from our published scoring rules

Every child is different. Add your child's grade, the viewpoint you want and what you want to study for a personal ranking.

Try it with independent learners selected

What matters for independent learners

Look for answer keys and tests. A parent should still check written work, but daily teaching shouldn't be needed.

Think about motivation. Self-paced workbooks and videos work best for teens who stay on task.

Mix formats if you need to. Pair a video course like Ramsey with a reading course like Notgrass.

Our top 4 for independent learners

  1. Scott Clifton: Economics and Civics for Christian Homeschoolers

    Two short, self-study Christian courses: a 15-week free-market economics book and a civics book, with free answer keys

    • Covers your grade (9th–12th)
    • A 15-week economics course
    • Students work mostly independently
    • Watch for: topics are selected to support one viewpoint
    Grades 9th–12thReading assignments four days a week with a discussion day; optional live classCost: $20: Economics book on Amazon ($19.99, now titled Economics: A Christian Worldview); the Civics book is sold separately

  2. Notgrass Exploring Government and Exploring Economics

    Two half-year high school courses: daily reading, founding documents, essays and projects, written for independent students

    • Covers your grade (9th–12th)
    • A separate semester of economics
    • Built for independent students
    • Watch for: strong conservative christian viewpoint
    Grades 9th–12thDaily textbook reading plus a collection of primary sources, with a project menu in every unitCost: $70: Exploring Government curriculum package (textbook plus We Hold These Truths); Exploring Economics is sold separately

  3. Ramsey Foundations in Personal Finance (Homeschool Edition)

    Dave Ramsey's half-credit high school personal finance course: videos, guided notes, a textbook and activities

    • Covers your grade (9th–12th)
    • Covers basic economics
    • Student works mostly alone
    • Watch for: light on macroeconomics
    Grades 9th–12thVideo lessons with guided notes, an illustrated textbook, chapter tests and offline activitiesCost: $90: Homeschool Edition, print and digital (student add-on $30 each)

  4. Abeka American Government and Economics

    Two one-semester textbook courses with teacher keys, strongly patriotic and pro-free-enterprise

    • Covers your grade (11th–12th)
    • A semester of Economics: Work and Prosperity
    • Watch for: strong conservative christian and patriotic viewpoint
    Grades 11th–12thTextbook reading with section reviews, chapter essays and quizzesCost: $46: American Government student text; teacher edition ($70) and Economics: Work and Prosperity are extra

Questions parents ask

How much time does an independent course take?

Plan roughly an hour a day for Notgrass, and a few hours a week for LIFEPAC's workbooks and Ramsey's modules.

Do I still need to grade?

Yes. Most courses expect a parent to assess essays, projects and exams using an answer key.

Which is easiest to run?

LIFEPAC's self-checks and Ramsey's video lessons need the least parent involvement.

How this list is made: each program is scored against the needs above using features documented in parent reviews and publisher materials (sources are listed in each program's profile). It's a starting point, not medical, legal or educational advice.