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Two homeschool history programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: faith content, teaching style, what they cover, and how much you'll teach.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
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Compare for my child| Compass Classroom History (Dave Raymond series) | The Nomadic Professor | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 7th–12th | 9th–12th |
| Faith | Christian perspective on standard history | No religious content |
| Covers | World history, American history | World history, American history |
| Approach | Video lectures + primary-source reader, with projects, exams and a portfolio | On-location video lectures and text lessons with primary-source document analysis |
| Who teaches | The program does the teaching | The program does the teaching |
| Parent prep | Low (Dave Raymond teaches on video; parent grades weekly exams, projects and portfolio) | Low (self-paced online platform; parent mainly monitors progress and grades written work) |
| Screen time | A mix of screen and paper | Online |
| Video lessons | Included: 26-30 short lectures per course (10-15 min each) are the core teaching | Included: hundreds of on-location video lectures filmed in 40+ countries carry the teaching |
| Cost | $450: Compass Classroom Premium Membership bundle price (reduced from $540 list), includes American History plus Antiquity, Christendom, Modernity and 30+ other subject courses (covers every course; billing period not stated) | $249: one full-year, two-semester course (e.g. World History or one American History part), single student |
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Parents say Dave Raymond is an engaging, funny, clear teacher and that the short videos keep older kids' attention better than a textbook, with some families watching together as a weekly family activity. The main complaints are that the second-semester project can run 30-40 hours and feel like a lot, the primary-source readings are sometimes tough without support, and a couple of reviewers found it less exhaustive than a full in-depth history spine.
Parents like that Dr. Jackson's on-location videos make history feel real and that the course teaches students to evaluate sources and arguments instead of memorizing dates, all without a religious or political slant. The main concerns are that it's fully online with heavy screen time, that the self-paced structure demands real student discipline, and that the harder tracks add research papers some students find overwhelming.
Neither is better for every child. Compass Classroom History (Dave Raymond series) is the stronger fit for christian, standard history; christian, bible-integrated; some screen time. The Nomadic Professor is the stronger fit for no religious content; online.
Compass Classroom History (Dave Raymond series): christian perspective on standard history. The Nomadic Professor: no religious content.
Compass Classroom History (Dave Raymond series): $450: Compass Classroom Premium Membership bundle price (reduced from $540 list), includes American History plus Antiquity, Christendom, Modernity and 30+ other subject courses (covers every course; billing period not stated). The Nomadic Professor: $249: one full-year, two-semester course (e.g. World History or one American History part), single student.
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