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Best homeschool history curriculum for high school

High school history needs real content, real writing and a clear credit on the transcript. These are the structured courses families choose most for world and American history.

Updated September 2026 · 32 programs compared · rankings from our published scoring rules

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

Try it with high school selected

What matters for high school

Plan your credits. Many states and colleges expect world history, U.S. history and government; check yours.

Keep a record of books read and papers written for the transcript.

Video and literature courses work too; these picks lean toward textbooks. Try the quiz for other styles.

Our top 6 for high school

  1. Abeka History & Geography

    Traditional Christian textbook history: scripted daily lessons, maps and quizzes with a patriotic, biblical lens

    • Covers your grade (PreK–12th)
    • Reading, mapping and review questions from a worktext every lesson
    • Scripted daily lesson: reading, discussion questions and review
    • Watch for: heavy on quizzes, tests and worksheet review; light on hands-on activities
    Grades PreK–12thTraditional: textbook/worktext readings, mapping, review questions and tests each dayCost: $157.20: Grade 3 History Parent Kit ($97.60) + Child Kit ($59.60) — textbook, teacher edition, workbook, maps, quizzes and tests for one child

  2. Notgrass History (Our Star-Spangled Story)

    Christian narrative history with literature and timelines, from Our Star-Spangled Story (1st–4th) to Exploring World History and Exploring America (high school)

    • Covers your grade (1st–12th)
    • Full-color textbook plus a consumable workbook with review questions
    • 10-15 minutes of daily reading plus activities, about 30-45 minutes total
    • Watch for: some units (e.g. revolutionary war) are brief and may need supplementing
    Grades 1st–12thChristian narrative history: read-aloud textbook plus literature, songs, timeline and workbookCost: $95: Our Star-Spangled Story Curriculum Package (Parts 1 & 2, rhythms/rhymes audio, timeline, workbook, answer key)

  3. Master Books History (America's Story / The World's Story / One Nation Under God)

    Christian narrative history readers: America's Story (elementary), World's Story (middle), One Nation Under God (high)

    • Covers your grade (3rd–12th)
    • Textbook plus teacher guide with worksheets, review sheets and answer keys
    • Elementary/middle volumes run about 30-45 minutes daily with reading and activities
    • Watch for: historical coverage isn't comprehensive; some periods get light treatment
    Grades 3rd–12thCharlotte Mason-style narrative history: living-book textbook plus teacher guide with narration, sketching and timeline workCost: $60.78: America's Story Volume 1 Set (student textbook + teacher guide), grades 3-6

  4. Christian Light Education

    Affordable, workbook-based Social Studies LightUnits with an Anabaptist Christian worldview, grades 1-12

    • Covers your grade (1st–12th)
    • Textbook plus consumable LightUnit worktexts with quizzes and tests
    • Watch for: several parents find the social studies content plain or less engaging than cle's other subjects
    Grades 1st–12thTraditional: a grade-level textbook plus consumable LightUnit worktexts, quizzes and testsCost: $87.40: Grade 3 Social Studies — Living Together on God's Earth textbook, 301-306 LightUnit set and answer keys for one child

  5. BJU Press Heritage Studies

    Traditional Christian history and geography textbooks, grade by grade: Heritage Studies (1st–6th) through middle and high school history, with optional video lessons

    • Covers your grade (1st–12th)
    • Non-consumable textbook plus consumable activity manual, chapter tests
    • Younger grades doable in under an hour with parent or video
    • Watch for: base kit (no video) needs real daily parent-led teaching
    Grades 1st–12thTraditional narrative textbook plus consumable activity manual; optional studio-filmed video lessonsCost: $174.95: Heritage Studies Grade 3 (World Regions) Homeschool Kit - student text, teacher's guide, activities, assessments, answer keys (25% off list)

  6. Guest Hollow

    Literature-based, secular-but-Christian-friendly history and geography built from real books, video and projects

    • Covers your grade (1st–12th)
    • Watch for: parents must source and gather many books/materials themselves
    Grades 1st–12thLiterature-based schedule combining a spine book/online textbook with real books, videos, games and projectsCost: Unknown

Questions parents ask

How many history credits does a homeschooler need?

Commonly three or four social studies credits, often world history, U.S. history, government and economics. Check your state.

Can a literature-based program count for high school credit?

Yes, with enough reading and writing. Keep a list of books and assignments.

What about government and economics?

We're planning a separate civics and economics section for those courses.

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 or educational advice.