Secular Homeschool Curriculum: Finding Materials Without a Religious Framework

You start shopping for homeschool curriculum and quickly discover that the majority of results are Christian. The science program teaches creation. The history program centers a Biblical timeline. The reading curriculum includes devotionals. The math program is secular but the publisher’s website has a statement of faith.

If you are a religious family, this market serves you well. If you are not, or if you want your child to learn science without a creationist framework, finding materials takes more effort than it should. The options are there. They are just harder to find because the secular market is smaller and less organized than the religious one.

Here is what is available, by subject, and how to check any program before you buy it.

The short answer

Secular homeschool curricula exist for every subject. Math programs are mostly inherently neutral. Science and history are where the religious-secular divide matters most. For any program, check the publisher’s website for a statement of faith, read sample pages (not just the table of contents), and ask in a secular homeschool group before spending money.

How to check a curriculum’s worldview

Before you buy anything:

1. Check the publisher’s website. Look for a statement of faith, a mission statement, or an “about” page that describes a worldview. If the publisher describes their materials as “Christ-centered” or “Biblical worldview,” the curriculum is religious. This is the fastest filter.

2. Read sample pages. Most publishers offer free samples online. Read them. A table of contents that looks neutral may contain lessons that are not.

3. Check the science content. How does the program handle the age of the earth, evolution, and the Big Bang? A program that presents young-earth creationism as science is not secular, regardless of what else it covers. A program that omits evolution entirely is avoiding the topic, which may or may not work for your family.

4. Check the history content. How does the program frame ancient civilizations, the Reformation, the founding of the United States, and other events where religious and secular narratives differ? What voices are centered?

5. Ask in a secular homeschool group. Other secular families have already done this research. Facebook groups like “Secular Homeschool” and “Secular, Eclectic, Academic Homeschoolers” maintain extensive recommendation lists and will answer questions about specific programs [3].

Secular options by subject

Math

Math is the easiest subject to find secular, because most math programs are inherently neutral. The numbers do not have a worldview.

• Singapore Math (Primary Mathematics): Widely used, rigorous, secular. The U.S. edition is adapted for American standards.
• Beast Academy (Art of Problem Solving): Challenging, engaging, designed for strong math students. Secular.
• Teaching Textbooks: Online, self-paced, with video instruction. Secular.
• Math-U-See: Manipulative-based. The publisher is Christian, but the math content is secular. Some families are comfortable with this separation; others are not.
• Saxon Math: Secular content, widely used in both homeschool and school settings.

Science

Science is where the religious-secular divide is sharpest. Programs that teach evolution, the age of the earth, and the Big Bang as established science are secular. Programs that present these as debatable or false are not.

• Real Science Odyssey: Secular, hands-on, well-organized. Covers life science, earth science, chemistry and physics across multiple levels.
• Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding (BFSU): Secular, Socratic method. Requires more parent preparation but is thorough and well-regarded.
• Elemental Science: Secular, literature-based. Uses library books and simple experiments.
• NOEO Science: Secular, literature-based. Organized by topic with book lists and experiment guides.
• Public school textbooks: Reliably secular, available used. Not the most engaging format but solid on content.
• NGSS-aligned resources: The Next Generation Science Standards provide a secular framework for science education [5]. Resources aligned to NGSS are inherently secular.

History and social studies

History is the second-hardest subject to find secular, because the framing of historical events often reflects a worldview.

• Story of the World (Susan Wise Bauer): Widely used for elementary. The first edition is broadly secular, though some families find its tone varies by volume. Check sample pages.
• Bookshark: Secular, literature-based. Uses a curated list of living books with a structured schedule.
• Build Your Library: Secular, literature-based. Similar approach to Bookshark with a different book selection.
• History Quest: Secular, engaging, designed for elementary. Includes maps, timelines, and activity pages.
• Public school textbooks: Secular by design. Available used.

Language arts and reading

Most language arts programs are secular or close to it. The exceptions are programs that use Bible passages for copywork, dictation, or reading comprehension.

• All About Reading / All About Spelling: Secular, Orton-Gillingham based. Effective for both typical and struggling readers.
• Logic of English: Secular, systematic phonics and spelling.
• Writing with Ease (Susan Wise Bauer): Secular. Uses copywork, narration, and dictation.
• Brave Writer: Secular. Emphasizes freewriting and the writing process.
• IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing): Available in both secular and religious versions. Make sure you get the one you want.

Foreign language

Most foreign language programs are secular. Notable options:

• Duolingo: Free, gamified, available in many languages. Useful as a supplement but not a complete curriculum.
• Getting Started with Latin / Getting Started with Spanish (etc.): Short daily lessons, secular.

The kitchen-table test

Am I comfortable with the publisher’s worldview? A Christian publisher who makes secular math is different from a Christian publisher who makes creationist science. Decide where your line is.

Does it matter for this subject? For math and foreign language, the publisher’s religion rarely affects the content. For science and history, it almost always does.

Have I read a sample? Do not rely on a catalog description. Read the actual pages your child will read.

Can I afford to replace it if it does not work? Secular programs are sometimes more expensive because the market is smaller. Budget for the possibility that the first pick may not fit, and buy used when you can.

Is there a secular community I can ask? Facebook groups, forums, and local secular homeschool groups are the fastest way to vet a program. Someone has already used it and can tell you whether the marketing matches the content.

Common mistakes

Assuming “not labeled religious” means secular. Some programs omit a label rather than calling themselves secular. Read samples.

Buying the Christian version when a secular version exists. Some publishers (like IEW) offer both. Check before ordering.

Avoiding all programs from religious publishers. Some programs from Christian publishers have secular content. Math-U-See, for example, teaches math without religious content. Evaluate the materials, not just the publisher.

Over-researching instead of starting. You can spend months comparing programs. Pick one that seems reasonable, try it for a month, and adjust if needed. The library can fill any gap while you search.

Not checking used curriculum sales. Secular programs hold resale value because the market is smaller. Join secular homeschool groups with buy/sell/trade sections. You can often find lightly used materials at a significant discount.

Check your state’s rules. Homeschool law varies by state and can change: notice requirements, required subjects, attendance, assessments and record-keeping all differ. Check your state department of education’s current guidance before you start or change anything. If you think your child may have a learning disability, you can ask your local school district about an evaluation; districts have duties to identify children with disabilities, including many who are homeschooled, though what’s offered varies by state. This article is general information, not legal advice.

Related reading: How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum Without Buying Five | History and Social Studies: Choosing Between Textbooks, Living Books and Unit Studies