Secular Homeschool: What It Is and How to Get Started

You want to homeschool your kids without religion in the lessons. But most resources seem to assume a faith-based home. You may wonder if there’s room for families like yours. The answer is yes. Secular homeschool families are a fast-growing group. You have more choices and support than ever. Maybe you’re atheist or agnostic. Maybe you just want to keep faith and schoolwork apart. Either way, you can give your kids a rich, fun education.

The real question isn’t whether secular homeschooling works. It does. The tricky part is finding good materials and meeting other families like yours. Many popular homeschool books mix in faith. You’ll spot math problems built on Bible stories. You’ll find history told through one faith’s lens. Don’t let that stop you. This guide shows you how to build a full secular homeschool plan. It can meet your family’s needs and your state’s rules.

What Is Secular Homeschooling?

Secular homeschooling means you teach your kids without religion in the lessons. Science covers evolution and the age of the earth, based on what the evidence shows. History books cover events without a faith-based spin. Reading lists may include religious texts. But they show up as culture, not as truth. In short, the lessons stick to facts and skills.

This approach builds critical thinking, fact-based learning, and strong school standards. These match what your kids would meet in public school. You teach them how to think, not what to believe about faith. The goal is a clear, honest look at the world.

Families pick secular homeschooling for many reasons. Some are atheist or agnostic. They want school that fits their world view. Others live in mixed-faith homes. One parent has a faith, the other doesn’t. Neutral lessons keep the peace. Some faith-filled families just want to teach religion on their own. They do that at church or temple, not during math and science. Each family has its own reasons here.

Here’s what secular homeschooling is not: it’s not about skipping values or character lessons. You can still teach kindness, honesty, and care for others. These values don’t have to come from one religion.

Why Choose a Secular Homeschool Approach?

Families pick this path for different reasons. But they all want school free from a faith-based spin. Here’s why it works for so many parents:

• Strong science. You want your kids to learn evolution, geology, and climate science the way colleges teach it. That means based on what scientists agree on, not a faith lens. Secular materials give you mainstream science with no disclaimers.
• Mixed beliefs at home. When parents hold different faiths, or one has none, neutral lessons keep the peace. You can still teach religion on your own time.
• Faith stays separate. Some faith-filled families like secular school subjects. They want to lead their kids’ faith at home or at church. They keep it out of math and history.
• College prep that lines up. Secular materials match public school standards and tests like the SAT. Your kids won’t have gaps. They won’t need to re-learn things for college.

What Does Secular Homeschooling Look Like in Practice?

A secular homeschool day looks like most homeschool days. It just leaves religion out of the lessons. Science covers evolution and the age of the earth, based on what scientists agree on. History shows many sides of events and cultures, with no faith lens. Reading includes many voices and world views. Math is just math. No word problems about Noah’s ark. No Bible verses in the margins. The day still has shape, just no faith content.

Here’s what sets secular homeschooling apart:

• Science with no disclaimers: You teach biology, geology, and astronomy with fact-based content. It lines up with mainstream science.
• Open history and reading: Materials cover world faiths, belief systems, and customs as things to study and grasp, not to judge.
• Standard school methods: Math, reading, and writing follow normal teaching methods. No faith layer on top.
• Faith kept separate: Many secular homeschool families do practice a faith. They just keep it apart from school subjects.

This doesn’t mean you skip religion for good. You might study world faiths in history. You might read books with faith themes. The trick is to treat these as school topics. You don’t teach them from inside one faith.

Finding Secular Homeschooling Programs and Curriculum

The good news? You don’t have to start from scratch or stitch together random worksheets. Several publishers make full, high-quality secular programs. They cover all core subjects with no religious content. The key is knowing what to look for. It also helps to find families who’ve done the legwork. A bit of research up front saves you time later.

What to Look For in Secular Curriculum

Start with the science materials. That’s where faith content shows up most. Check that the program teaches evolution as settled science. Look for materials that call the earth billions of years old. Make sure climate change is based on current research. These three topics tell you fast if a program is truly secular.

Here’s how to find a fit for your family:

• Look for a clear “secular” label. Publishers like BookShark, Build Your Library, and Timberdoodle mark their secular options. They keep them apart from faith-based ones.
• Read reviews from secular groups. Join Facebook groups like “Secular, Eclectic, Academic Homeschoolers.” Browse SecularHomeschool.com for honest notes from parents who’ve used the materials.
• Check mainstream publishers. Brands like Evan-Moor, Scholastic, and McGraw-Hill make materials for public schools. They’re secular by default and easy to use at home.
• Preview before you buy. Most companies offer sample pages or a free trial. You can check the content fits your values first.

Online Secular Homeschool Programs: What Are Your Options?

Online programs can be a lifesaver when you want secular content with built-in structure. You get lesson plans, grading, and often a teacher to help. You don’t have to build every subject yourself. This works well if you work from home, are new to this, or just want a pro in your corner. Many parents love this mix of freedom and structure.

When you compare online programs, check for approval. Look for ones that follow state standards or a known framework like Common Core. That way your child’s work counts if you move, head back to school, or apply to college. Programs like Eaton Academic offer full secular lessons with certified teacher support. You stay on track, with no faith content.

The best online programs are flexible too. Kids can work at their own pace. You can shape the schedule around your family. You’re still homeschooling. You’re just not doing it alone. Teacher feedback, progress tracking, and set lessons take weight off your plate. They keep school secular and solid. That support can make all the difference.

Building Community as a Secular Homeschool Family

Homeschooling goes better when you’re not alone. You might fear it’s hard to find like-minded families. But secular homeschoolers are more common than you think. The key is knowing where to look. Stay open to new connections. You don’t need the same world view as everyone, just shared values about kids and learning. Start small, then let your circle grow.

• Find secular groups. Groups like Secular Homeschool and local Facebook pages link up families who share your approach. Many cities have secular co-ops that meet for classes and trips.
• Join online communities. When local options are thin, forums and social media give daily support. You’ll get tips and friendship. You’ll meet parents facing the same ups and downs.
• Try open homeschool groups. Many general groups welcome all families, whatever their faith. Look for ones that focus on learning and community over shared belief.
• Bond over shared interests. Science clubs, art classes, and sports teams pull in homeschoolers from all walks. Kids make friends while you meet parents with similar goals.

Common Concerns About Secular Homeschooling

You’re not alone if you have questions about secular homeschooling. Many parents fear they’ll be judged by the faith-based majority. Others worry they can’t find good materials. Let’s tackle the worries that come up most. Most of them fade once you begin.

• Too few choices: You might think secular options are rare. But the market has grown a lot. Brands like Build Your Library, Blossom and Root, and Torchlight offer full secular programs. You’ll find plenty across all subjects and grades.
• Judgment from others: Yes, some groups lean heavily faith-based. But you don’t need everyone’s approval. You just need to find your people. Secular groups exist in most areas. Online spaces offer daily support.
• Teaching right and wrong: Good character doesn’t need religion. You can teach empathy, honesty, and care through books, talks, and real life. Many secular families find this fits their values better.
• Feeling cut off: Secular homeschool networks are growing fast. Groups like Secular Eclectic Academic (SEA) Homeschoolers link families across the country. You’ll find co-ops, park days, and field trip groups that match your view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you homeschool without religion?

Yes, you can. Secular homeschooling is a growing movement. It comes with many programs and support groups. You can give a great education on solid school standards, with no faith content. State homeschool laws care about subjects like math, science, and reading. They don’t care whether you add faith. Thousands of families do this well every year. Their kids learn just as much as kids in faith-based programs.

Is secular homeschool curriculum hard to find?

Not anymore. Faith-based materials ruled the early days, but that has changed. Online programs like Khan Academy, Time4Learning, and Discovery K12 offer full secular courses. Mainstream school resources, the same ones public schools use, work great at home. Finding secular materials is far easier than it was ten years ago. You’ll have lots of choices at every grade and subject.

Do secular homeschoolers have support groups?

Yes, they do. Secular homeschool groups exist in most metro areas. Online spaces link families across the country through Facebook groups and forums like Secular Homeschool Community. Many general co-ops welcome secular families too. They don’t ask for a statement of faith. You’re not alone. Other parents share your approach. They can offer advice, friendship, and group learning for your kids.

What’s the difference between secular and religious homeschooling?

The main difference is the content and the point of view. Secular homeschools use fact-based science. They teach evolution and the scientific method with no faith spin. History and reading come from a neutral place, not a faith lens. Religious homeschools weave faith through the lessons. You’ll see Bible verses in math and creationism in science. Both can be strong and rigorous. The right pick depends on what you want your kids to learn. It also depends on how you want school to feel at home.

Secular homeschooling isn’t just possible. It’s thriving. Thousands of families prove every day that you can teach well without religious materials. You’re not settling for less or shortchanging your kids. Instead, you’re picking materials on merit. And you’re choosing methods that fit your family.

The secular homeschool community has your back. From full science programs to rich humanities courses, you have great resources at hand. They respect your approach. You’re not alone in this. Online forums, local co-ops, and secular groups offer the support and connection you need. Reach out, and you’ll be surprised how warm it feels.

Ready for the next step? Pick one subject that feels most pressing, maybe math or science. Research two secular options this week. Read reviews from other secular families. See what fits your teaching style. Then reach out to one secular group near you. Or join an online space. You’ve got this. You’ll find your people along the way.