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Best secular homeschool language arts curriculum

Plenty of strong grammar, writing and spelling programs have no religious content at all. These are the secular options, spanning every teaching style.

Updated September 2026 · 35 programs compared · rankings from our published scoring rules

Every child is different. Add your child's grade, what they need and your teaching time for a personal ranking.

Try it with secular families selected

What matters for secular families

Secular doesn't mean less rigorous. Programs like Michael Clay Thompson and Analytical Grammar are considered among the more demanding options available, with no faith content at all.

Secular options span every teaching style. Whether you want fully scripted, video-based or literature-rich, there's a secular program built that way.

Check writing prompts, not just the grammar lessons. Even secular programs' sample sentences and writing prompts can carry an implicit tone or worldview; a quick look at a sample is worth it.

Our top 6 for secular families

  1. IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing)

    Video-based Structure and Style writing method used across any subject

    • No religious content
    • Watch for: same nine models revisited can feel repetitive
    Grades 3rd–12thVideo-based, structured writing methodCost: Basic package (with videos) $169; Premier (+parent training) $289; Student Packet ~$50

  2. All About Spelling

    Multisensory Orton-Gillingham spelling, level by level

    • No religious content
    • Watch for: daily scripted tile routine feels slow to some
    Grades 1st–12thOrton-Gillingham, multisensory spellingCost: $69.95 per level (Levels 1-6); Level 7 $49.95

  3. Brave Writer

    Relaxed, conversation-first writing built around your child's interests

    • No religious content
    • Watch for: price adds up across stages and online classes
    Grades K–12thRelaxed, conversation-first writingCost: Partnership Writing Collection One $97; Jot It Down $50 (PDF)

  4. Easy Grammar

    Unique prepositional-phrase method makes grammar concrete and fast

    • No religious content
    • Watch for: plain text-based workbook, harder for visual learners
    Grades 2nd–12thTraditional, prepositional-phrase-first grammarCost: Grade 4 set (teacher's edition + workbook) ~$42; Grade 5 ~$47, plus ~$5.50 for the test book

  5. Essentials in Writing

    Video-based grammar and writing combined in one course

    • Faith-neutral
    • Watch for: fewer independent reviews than other programs here
    Grades 1st–12thVideo-based grammar and writing combinedCost: About $67-89 per course depending on video+digital vs. video+print format

  6. Fix It! Grammar

    Story-based daily editing practice makes grammar rules stick

    • No religious content
    • Watch for: grammar and editing only, not composition
    Grades 4th–12thStory-based grammar editing practiceCost: $19 each for student book or teacher's manual, $29 for the level bundle

Questions parents ask

Are secular language arts programs less structured than Christian ones?

No. Structure and teaching style are independent of faith content; some of the most rigorously scripted programs are entirely secular.

Do secular programs avoid all values-based content?

Not necessarily. Secular just means no religious content; many secular writing prompts and reading selections still touch on character and general values.

Is Brave Writer secular?

Yes. Its relaxed, conversation-first philosophy has no religious content, though it's often paired with values-neutral literature choices a family selects themselves.

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.