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How much does homeschooling cost in 2026?

Homeschooling can cost almost nothing or several thousand dollars a year. What changes the number is mostly which curriculum you choose and how many outside classes you add. Here is a plain breakdown, so you can build your own budget.

The five budget lines

1. Curriculum

This is the biggest line for most families. You can piece together free materials (time-heavy), buy boxed or printed curriculum by subject, or use an all-in-one online program. Ask what's included: every subject? Every grade? Grading? Records? A curriculum that covers all subjects for all your kids keeps this line predictable.

For reference, Life Academy is $35 a month for one student or $69 a month for a family of up to 4 (yearly: $336 or $662). That covers English, math, science, history, and life skills for K–12, plus high school electives and transcript tools. See plans.

2. Books and supplies

Library cards cover most reading. Budget for paper, printer ink, a few lab supplies (most of our labs use kitchen items), and art materials. Many families spend $10–$40 a month here.

3. Testing and evaluations (if your state requires them)

Some states require a standardized test or a portfolio review in certain grades. Others require nothing. Check your state on our 50-state guide before you budget for it.

4. Tutoring and outside classes

Optional, but this is where budgets grow fastest. Use tutoring for the one subject that's stuck, not for everything. Live tutoring with David Clifford is $35 an hour (your first hour is $25; packages save more). See tutoring.

5. Activities and field trips

Co-ops, sports, music, and museum memberships. These are about social life and interests, and they're the easiest line to scale up or down.

Sample monthly budgets with Life Academy

Family	Curriculum	Supplies (estimate)	Total / month
1 child, monthly	$35	$20	about $55
2–4 children, monthly	$69	$40	about $109
2–4 children, yearly	$55.17 ($662/yr)	$40	about $95

Supplies are an example estimate, not a quote. Use the cost calculator to plug in your own numbers.

Five ways to keep homeschool costs down

Use one curriculum for all your kids instead of buying per child per subject.
Pay yearly once you're sure (about 20% less with us).
Use the library and free tools first: our Student Resource Center is free for everyone.
Print only what you need. Every lesson can be printed as a worksheet.
Buy tutoring for one stuck subject, in a package, instead of weekly for everything.

Try it free

Week 1 of every grade is free, with no card needed. Start Week 1 free

Not sure yet? Take the 2-minute Am I ready? quiz and cost calculator.

FAQ

Is homeschooling cheaper than private school?

Usually, yes. Most homeschool budgets are a fraction of private school tuition, because the biggest costs are curriculum and optional activities.

Can I homeschool for free?

You can, using library books and free resources, but it takes much more planning time. Life Academy's Week 1 is free in every grade if you want to try a planned curriculum first.

Do I get a discount for more than one child?

Yes. The Family plan is $69 a month for up to 4 students, each with their own progress and transcript.

Life Academy is a parent-directed online K–12 curriculum, built to help meet homeschool requirements in all 50 states. It is not accredited, and parents issue the homeschool transcript. Nothing here is legal advice. Check your state's law at HSLDA. Questions? Email david.dukes77102@gmail.com.