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Best homeschool history curriculum for middle school

Middle school history adds more reading, more writing and more independence. These programs are strong choices for grades 6–8.

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 middle school selected

What matters for middle school

Add writing. Middle school is the time to start short essays and summaries about what they read.

Build independence gradually, with a weekly check-in.

Look ahead to high school credit requirements.

Our top 6 for middle school

  1. Curiosity Chronicles

    Secular, globally-inclusive history told through a dialogue-style "Snapshots" textbook, with audio and activity guides

    • Covers your grade (1st–8th)
    • One narrative spine text plus companion guides per era
    • About one chapter a week, with reading/listening and discussion
    • Watch for: optional workbook/notebook extensions feel like busywork to some families
    Grades 1st–8thDialogue-format narrative textbook (two characters explore each era) plus an instructor and student activity guideCost: $88 (regular $105.96): Ancient History mixed-format package - textbook, audiobook, instructor & student guides, timeline kit

  2. The Good and the Beautiful History

    Family-style Christian history: one story-based course book teaches grades 3-8 together

    • Covers your grade (1st–8th)
    • One family course book anchors the whole year
    • About 20-55 minutes, twice a week
    • Watch for: broad survey format can run light on depth for older students
    Grades 1st–8thFamily-style story spine: read-aloud narratives, maps, games and activities, with per-child Student Explorers for older kidsCost: $90: History Year 1 family set ($74.97) plus one grades 3-6 Student Explorer ($9.99) and time line book ($12.99), rounded

  3. 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)
    • Narrative textbook works as the year's history spine
    • 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)

  4. 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)
    • One narrative textbook anchors each volume's chronological period
    • 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

  5. Memoria Press History (Famous Men series)

    Classical biography-driven history readers on Rome, Greece, the Middle Ages and Modern Times

    • Covers your grade (3rd–8th)
    • One narrative text anchors each period, with workbook and flashcards
    • Daily reading, vocabulary and workbook pages, roughly 30-45 minutes
    • Watch for: workbook pages can feel repetitive by the end of a volume
    Grades 3rd–8thClassical: story-style biography text plus workbook, flashcards and optional streaming video lessonsCost: $110.25: Famous Men of Rome Set (text, student guide, teacher guide, digital flashcards, streaming videos)

  6. Story of the World

    Narrative world-history read-aloud in 4 chronological volumes, with activity books and audiobooks

    • Covers your grade (1st–8th)
    • One narrative history spine plus an optional activity book
    • Roughly 30-45 minutes, a few days a week
    • Watch for: activity book has more projects than most families finish
    Grades 1st–8thStorytelling spine: one narrative chapter read or listened to, then narration, maps and optional projectsCost: $24: Volume 1 (Ancient Times) softcover text plus matching student activity book

Questions parents ask

What history do middle schoolers study?

Often a second pass through world history in more depth, or American history, with more writing than in elementary.

Should middle schoolers do history independently?

Mostly, with a parent discussing the reading each week.

Is middle school history counted for high school?

Usually not, but it builds the reading and writing skills high school history needs.

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.