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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
These two are close: the differences are small, so price, grade range and what parents say below may decide it.
Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.
Compare for my child| Time4Learning | Miacademy | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 2nd–12th | K–8th |
| Faith | No religious content | No religious content |
| Covers | World history, American history, Geography and world cultures | World history, American history, Geography and world cultures |
| Approach | Online curriculum: interactive lessons with maps and primary sources, shifting to video-style teaching in upper grades | Online curriculum: short teaching videos, interactive practice, and quizzes per topic |
| Who teaches | The program does the teaching | The program does the teaching |
| Parent prep | Low (student works independently; parent manages dashboard, grades writing) | Low (independent video lessons; parent sets grade level and reviews progress reports) |
| Screen time | Online | Online |
| Video lessons | Included: upper-level courses use on-screen lessons; early grades lean more interactive/text | Included: video lessons are the core way social studies is taught |
| Cost | $479: $39.95 a month for the first student (about $479 over 12 months), every subject | $480: $480 a year or $48 a month, every subject |
| Parents love |
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| Common complaints |
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Parents appreciate that Time4Learning's social studies ramps up gradually, starting light in 2nd grade and building into a fuller Ancient World History, World Cultures and Geography, and U.S. History sequence by grades 6-8, with five more courses available in high school. Cathy Duffy's review is the most detailed independent source, and it flags that coverage in grades 3-5 is lighter than some families want, recommending it be paired with historical fiction or treated as supplemental rather than a full spine. Once students reach the upper-level courses, the format shifts to more traditional lessons with on-screen teachers, graphics, and diagrams.
Parents like that Miacademy's social studies videos are short, colorful, and easy for kids to work through independently, covering U.S. history, world history, and geography by grade band. Cathy Duffy's review flags that the social studies courses aren't yet complete enough to stand alone as a full two-semester course at every level, and that a few lessons on topics like Native American history lean toward a modern, progressive interpretation. Most reviewers suggest treating it as a supplement rather than a full history curriculum.
Neither is better for every child. Time4Learning is the stronger fit for hands-on projects and unit studies. Miacademy is the stronger fit for video or online lessons.
Time4Learning: no religious content. Miacademy: no religious content.
Time4Learning: $479: $39.95 a month for the first student (about $479 over 12 months), every subject. Miacademy: $480: $480 a year or $48 a month, every subject.
Summaries are in our own words.