Spending Less on Curriculum Without Sacrificing College Readiness

We started homeschooling after moving to the U.S. from South Africa. At one point, I was homeschooling four children ranging in age from preschool to teenage, all on a single income. I wasn't bringing in any money initially, and even later, when I began teaching at a co-op, it wasn't much.

At the same time, my children had big goals. They weren't just thinking about college, they were aiming for competitive universities. I knew they needed a rigorous education to both get in and succeed once there.

The problem was obvious: I couldn't buy everything that looked amazing. But I also didn't want gaps in their education, and I wanted them to enjoy learning. I couldn't afford to make too many mistakes. That forced me to become very intentional about every curriculum decision.

Not Everything Deserves Equal Spending

At first, I assumed I needed a full curriculum for every subject. It didn't take long to realize that wasn't necessary, or even the best way to do it.

Each of my children had different strengths and interests. I began focusing more on the subjects they were likely to pursue further, making sure they had strong foundations in those areas. At the same time, I didn't want to neglect electives. Those often sparked new interests and helped them explore possible future paths.

I came to see that spending less mostly came down to prioritizing where money would make the biggest difference, not cutting things out.

Where I Chose to Spend

The areas where I spent money were the ones that required expertise, structure, or feedback.

This looked different for each child. In subjects where I didn't feel confident teaching, I outsourced. But in areas I knew I could provide help and feedback, I did it myself using a curriculum.

For example, I was an English major, so I handled writing instruction and grading myself. Another parent might make the opposite decision and outsource that subject.

For foundational subjects like math and science, I prioritized solid curriculum that would prepare my children for college-level work. In these areas, I was less willing to cut corners. For example, I chose to outsource calculus and spend more money on an online class, because I had never studied it myself, and I wanted to be sure my children were well prepared, especially since my boys were planning to go into computer engineering.

Where I Saved (Without Hurting Outcomes)

Saving money mostly came down to being strategic about where it went, not lowering quality.

• Reusing curriculum across children: Whenever possible, I chose non-consumable materials. Whether it was books or self-paced courses, being able to reuse them with multiple children made a significant difference over time.
• Buying secondhand: Used curriculum is widely available through local sales, Facebook groups, and online marketplaces. It takes more effort to find, but the savings can be substantial, especially for content-heavy subjects.
• Swapping with friends: At one point, I swapped curriculum with a friend who was using the same program but at a different level. This worked well for both of us and reduced unnecessary purchases.
• Using the library: The library became one of our most valuable resources. I often purchased the curriculum guide but borrowed the required books. Libraries also offer documentaries, foreign language resources, and online courses.
• Creating my own electives: Some of the most meaningful learning came from electives I created myself. One child studied meteorology, another linguistics, and another game theory. I combined secondhand books, free online resources, and projects to build half-credit courses tailored to their interests.

A Simple Filter That Helped Me Decide

When I was unsure about a purchase, I asked myself a few questions:

• Does this subject require expert instruction or feedback that I can't realistically provide?
• Is this a subject my child will build on later?
• Will this resource be used for more than one child?
• Is there a lower-cost way to achieve the same outcome?

A Smarter Way to Think About Curriculum

I never relied on a single, all-in-one curriculum. Instead, I used a mix of resources.

I had a core structure, but I supplemented it with additional materials, free resources, and selectively chosen courses. This approach gave me flexibility and allowed me to adjust spending based on each child's needs.

There are many excellent free resources available, though they do take time to find. Today, tools like AI can help streamline that process. I saved money in areas where I could, and invested in areas where structure, feedback, and expertise mattered most.

Final Thoughts

Spending less on curriculum did require more time. I had to research carefully and think through each purchase. I didn't always get it right the first time, but being intentional forced me to focus on what truly mattered.

As a result, my children were well prepared. They were all accepted into competitive universities, took AP exams without formal AP classes, earned strong ACT and SAT scores, received scholarships, and succeeded in college. My oldest daughter now has a PhD and lectures at a university in the Netherlands.

Homeschooling high school for college-bound students on a budget is absolutely possible. It just takes spending wisely instead of spending more.