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Best homeschool government curriculum

A government credit is usually half a year of U.S. government. The courses below cover the Constitution, the branches of government and how elections and policy work, but they teach it very differently, from daily textbook reading to group discussion of founding documents.

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 a government credit selected

What matters for a government credit

Pick the viewpoint first. Most homeschool government courses are written from a stated view, Christian conservative, limited-government, or nonpartisan, and the viewpoint shapes how every chapter reads.

Decide how much you want to teach. Some courses are built for a teen to work alone, while others only work with a parent or a group leading discussion.

Check what else it covers. A Constitution-only course leaves out economics and state and local government.

Our top 5 for a government credit

  1. Notgrass Exploring Government and Exploring Economics

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

    • A full semester of U.S. government
    • Half credit each; quizzes and exams available
    • 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

  2. BJU Press American Government and Economics

    Illustrated high school textbooks with teacher's editions, tests and a stock-market project, from a Christian publisher

    • Full American Government text
    • Built as a semester course with tests
    • Watch for: higher price, and government and economics are separate kits
    Grades 11th–12thFull-color textbook with chapter questions, activity manual and tests; optional video courseCost: $223: American Government homeschool kit, 4th edition ($222.95; Economics is a separate kit)

  3. Abeka American Government and Economics

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

    • A semester of American Government
    • Built as a one-semester course each
    • 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

  4. The Classical Historian: Take a Stand! American Government and Economics

    A one-year Socratic course that combines government and economics, best run as a weekly group class

    • Government and economics in one year
    • A year course meant to meet most states' requirements
    • Watch for: best with a group class; harder for one student at home
    Grades 9th–12thReading, discussion, research and presentations; students defend and argue both sidesCost: $22: student edition; the teacher edition (about $22) and two required outside books are extra

  5. Alpha Omega LIFEPAC Government and Economics

    Ten self-paced, Christian worktexts covering governments, free enterprise, the stock market and budgeting

    • Several units on U.S. and world government
    • A full course in ten worktexts
    • Watch for: workbook style can feel dry
    Grades 12thSelf-paced workbooks with self-tests and unit tests, built on masteryCost: $108: Government and Economics box set (10 student worktexts plus teacher's guide)

Questions parents ask

How long is a high school government course?

Usually one semester, about half a credit. Notgrass, Abeka and BJU Press each publish government as a semester course, and economics as a separate one.

Does a free option exist?

Yes. Constitution 101 from the National Constitution Center and Documents of Freedom from the Bill of Rights Institute are free, but both are demanding and work best with a teacher or group.

Can my teen do government without me?

Some programs are built for that. Notgrass and LIFEPAC are designed for independent work, while the Classical Historian and Documents of Freedom need a parent or group leader.

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.