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Sunday, January 17th
Our first impression when shopping on the Homeschooling Supply site was, "Wow, this looks really outdated." Seeing the link to their Top 20 Exciting Products for the previous calendar year, prominently featured at the top of the site, didn't do much to change our opinion. And, noticing that the URL wasn't secure was the third factor that got this retailer off to a rough start.
Good variety of homeschool resources
So, what's good about Homeschooling Supply? Surprisingly, they offer a decent variety of resources for all kinds of homeschoolers - school-at-home to unschoolers and everything in between. As you look through the "Shop by Subject" options, ranging from crafts and critical thinking to wooden toys and writing, this store seems to give you a lot to choose from. But, you might be disappointed once you click on a category and see what they actually carry.
Content lacking, however
For example, the Mathematics category only had 12 total items, many of which were mastery flip charts. We didn't find any textbooks, workbooks, or any of the other instructional materials you'd expect to see.
Less impressive
The Literature category was even less impressive. There were only 8 items in stock, three of which were books with Clifford the Big Red Dog. Now, we love Clifford as much as the next person, but he's not what we would consider "literature" for anyone over the age of 8 or so.
Disappointing shipping costs & return policy
Shipping and returns at Homeschooling Supply aren't going to thrill you, either. You'll pay anywhere from $11.90 to $27.40 for ground shipping, depending on the dollar amount of your order. Returns on unused, new condition items are accepted within 30 days of your original purchase date, but you'll be charged a 15% restocking fee.
No sales tax
The only plus we could find for shopping for homeschool supplies here is the fact that they don't charge sales tax no matter which state you live in.
Try elsewhere
With so many homeschool supply stores available today, it's hard to find a reason to shop at Homeschooling Supply. You'll get a much better selection elsewhere.
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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