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Thursday, January 28th
Alpha Omega Publications gives you four options for homeschool curriculum, including student-paced and teacher-led pen-and-paper courses, plus two digital/online platforms. Their focus is faith-based, but users say their texts aren't as heavily Christian as other publishers we evaluated. Alpha Omega has a good reputation spanning more than four decades and is a decent choice if you need a structured approach to your student's learning. But, you won't get other types of homeschool supplies with this company.
Abeka has been a household name in many homeschooling families for decades. Their homeschool supplies center around curriculum, with numerous options for buying materials for a full school year or just individual subjects. They also offer Abeka Academy, which takes some of the work off your shoulders through video lessons, as well as accredited options where they do all of the record-keeping like report cards and transcripts. Because Abeka places a strong emphasis on conservative Christian education and doesn't sell general homeschool supplies beyond their curricula, this won't be the best fit for a large number of families. But, if you share that worldview and want an easy approach to homeschooling where most of the planning and work has been done for you, Abeka might be a good place to start.
Homeschooling is on the rise in the United States, with an estimated 2.5 million students - and those numbers growing anywhere from 2-8% every year.
Whether you're a seasoned home educator looking for new and innovative curricula and materials to work into your plans, or you're brand-new and need all the help you can get, you'll definitely need a reliable, affordable source of homeschool supplies.
Fortunately, all of the books, worksheets, science equipment and anything else you could possibly want for teaching your child(ren) at home are easily found online. The top retailers of homeschool supplies can help you narrow down what you need - A single curriculum or mix-and-match? Digital platform, parent-taught, or a hybrid? - and get it to you at prices you can afford.
Plus, it can take some trial-and-error as you determine which approach to homeschooling works for your family. What went well in your first year may need to be switched up in the second year, as you get more comfortable or as your learners' ages and needs shift with time. That's normal! While no homeschool supply store is going to let you return used workbooks and art supplies, the best retailers do have generous policies for items you get home, take one look and say "This is NOT what I thought I was getting!"
No two retailers of homeschool supplies are exactly the same. Some sell curricula from just one publisher, while others offer choices across multiple companies. Other stores give you an eclectic array of workbooks, musical instruments and other items, so that you can piece together a custom approach to your kids' studies. Finally, you'll find some sites that only sell online home education programs, from self-paced to remote learning with a certified teacher. The sky's the limit!
So, what should you look for when deciding where to buy your homeschool supplies? Naturally, that will depend on what you're hoping to find, whether that's a new curriculum or just some fun extras to supplement what you're already doing. However, here are a few criteria that can help you choose:
TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best homeschool supply providers available today. We hope this information helps you find the right curriculum, program, or supplemental materials to confidently educate your children at home!
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