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Best homeschool history with video lessons

If you'd rather someone else teach history, a program with video lessons lets an engaging teacher do the telling while your child reads, discusses and writes.

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 video lessons selected

What matters for video lessons

Check who's on screen. The teacher makes or breaks a video course, so watch a sample lesson first.

Look at the work around the videos. The best courses pair each lesson with reading, discussion or writing.

Mind the grade level. Most video history courses are built for middle and high school.

Our top 5 for video lessons

  1. Compass Classroom History (Dave Raymond series)

    Video-led Christian history series: Dave Raymond teaches American, modern, ancient and medieval history

    • 5 short video lessons per week are the core teaching
    • 26-30 short lectures per course (10-15 min each) are the core teaching
    • A mix of screen and paper
    • Watch for: second-semester project can take 30-40 hours
    Grades 7th–12thVideo lectures + primary-source reader, with projects, exams and a portfolioCost: $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)

  2. Veritas Press History

    Classical Christian history: chronological flashcards plus self-paced online video courses, Creation to present

    • Costumed-actor video lessons are the core teaching
    • Video lessons with costumed actors are the core teaching method
    • Mostly screen-based
    • Watch for: one-year access per course; repurchase needed for younger siblings
    Grades 2nd–6thClassical: chronological flashcards and memory songs paired with self-paced video lessonsCost: $249: Old Testament & Ancient Egypt Self-Paced Course, one course (12 months online access) for one student

  3. 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

    • Studio-filmed video lessons available and popular, but sold separately from the base kit
    • Studio-filmed video lessons sold as an add-on; base kit is textbook plus workbook
    • A mix of screen and paper
    • 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)

  4. Miacademy

    K-8 online social studies course: video lessons on U.S. history, world history, geography, civics

    • Video lessons are the core teaching method
    • Video lessons are the core way social studies is taught
    • Mostly screen-based
    • Watch for: some social studies courses aren't full two-semester courses
    Grades K–8thOnline curriculum: short teaching videos, interactive practice, and quizzes per topicCost: $480: $480 a year or $48 a month, every subject

  5. The Nomadic Professor

    Secular online high-school history: on-location video lectures plus document analysis and guided notes

    • On-location video lectures filmed at historical sites are the core teaching
    • Hundreds of on-location video lectures filmed in 40+ countries carry the teaching
    • Mostly screen-based
    • Watch for: fully online with little printed material; heavy screen time
    Grades 9th–12thOn-location video lectures and text lessons with primary-source document analysisCost: $249: one full-year, two-semester course (e.g. World History or one American History part), single student

Questions parents ask

Can a video course count as a high school history credit?

Yes. Many families use video courses for high school history, adding the reading and writing the course assigns.

Are video history lessons good for younger kids?

A few programs have short videos for elementary students, but most are built for older students.

Do I need to watch the videos too?

Not necessarily, but watching some together makes for good family discussion.

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.