5 Best Homeschool Curriculum for Struggling Readers (Christian Picks)
When my son Luke was younger, I spent countless hours searching for the best homeschool curriculum for struggling readers. Reading was one of the hardest parts of our homeschool journey.
I remember sitting beside him while he slowly worked through simple Dr. Seuss books. Reading wasn't enjoyable. It wasn't easy. It was hard work for both of us.
Then something remarkable happened.
After completing the Davis Dyslexia Correction program, Luke's reading exploded almost overnight. He went from struggling through beginner readers to voluntarily reading entire Bible passages. It was one of the most dramatic educational improvements I've ever witnessed.
That experience taught me something important: struggling readers don't always need more effort. Sometimes they need a different approach, a different teaching method, or a different curriculum.
If you're looking for the best homeschool curriculum for struggling readers, whether your child has dyslexia, delayed reading skills, or simply isn't making progress with their current program, these are the five curriculum options I would investigate first.
Comparison chart of the best homeschool curriculum for struggling readers including All About Reading, Logic of English, BJU Press, Abeka, and Horizons, comparing rigor, independence, parent involvement, and video lessons.
Why Do Some Children Struggle to Read?
Before choosing a homeschool reading curriculum for struggling readers, it's worth understanding that reading struggles don't all come from the same place.
Some children have dyslexia.
Some have gaps in phonics instruction.
Some struggle with phonemic awareness.
Some simply develop reading skills later than their peers.
That's why the perfect reading curriculum for one child may completely fail with another.
The good news? There are some excellent options available today.
So let’s look at some programs that can help you teach reading painlessly!
All About Reading is great for anxious readers as it’s fun and hands-on. Kids learn everything step-by-step so it’s not overwhelming for the child or parent!
1. All About Reading
Best Overall Homeschool Reading Curriculum for Struggling Readers 🏆
Price: Approximately $119 for Pre-Reading and around $210 per level once you include readers, activity books, and letter tiles.
Worldview: Secular
Format: Teacher manual, readers, activity book, letter tiles, and hands-on activities.
Videos: No
All About Reading is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, a method often used to teach children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Rather than expecting children to simply absorb reading through exposure, Orton-Gillingham programs teach reading explicitly, systematically, and sequentially.
In practical terms, that means children learn one skill at a time, practise it thoroughly, and then build upon it. Lessons are multisensory, using sight, sound, movement, and hands-on activities to help information stick.
All About Reading combines letter tiles, phonogram review, reading practice, and carefully structured lessons that leave very little to chance. Parents don't need to be reading specialists to use it successfully because the program is highly scripted and easy to follow.
For dyslexia, delayed reading, and children who need a lot of repetition and review, it's one of the strongest reading programs available.
The main downside is it takes 20 min a day to teach. But that’s not a huge chunk of time and most parents dont mind, and may even like spending a bit of time teaching thier kids one on one.
Also, it’s quite re-usable for subsequent kids. You only need to repurchase the student workbook and you’re set up to teach your next child to read again!
The other consideration for Christian families is worldview. While All About Reading is not a Christian curriculum, many Christian homeschoolers choose to use it because they see reading as a foundational skill that enables their children to later read Scripture, missionary biographies, and other excellent Christian books independently.
It’s also not filled with woke public school stuff (ugh!) that you’ll find in a lot of secular curriuclum programs.
Pros
✅ Outstanding phonics instruction
✅ Excellent for dyslexia
✅ Very easy for parents to teach
✅ Multisensory approach
Cons
❌ Parent involvement for 20min a day
❌ Not Christian
Checkout the curriculum directly here.📦
Logic of English is one of the best homeschool curriculum for struggling readers because it teaches the rules of English...and English is a language full of seemingly inexplicable contraditions!
2. Logic of English
Best for Understanding Why English Works
Price: Approximately $88 USD to $337 depending on package and level.
Worldview: Secular
Format: Teacher-led lessons, readers, games, workbooks, and activities.
Videos: Optional online resources available.
Logic of English is one of the most thorough reading programs available.
It also uses the Orton Gillingham approach.
While All About Reading focuses heavily on teaching children how to read, Logic of English also teaches why English works the way it does.
Parents often say that when they use this program, they learn almost as much as their children.
The curriculum covers phonics, spelling, grammar, and language structure in impressive depth.
For analytical learners, this can be a huge advantage.
The trade-off is that it requires a committed parent. This isn't a curriculum that simply runs itself.
Although… if you get the video lessons that helps kids be more independent.
Pros
✅ Extremely thorough
✅ Strong phonics foundation
✅ Teaches spelling rules and language structure
✅ Excellent for analytical learners
✅ Parents can learn alongside thier kids!
Cons
❌ More parent intensive
❌ Higher learning curve
❌ Can feel overwhelming for some families
Checkout the curriculum directly here.📦
3. BJU Press Phonics & Reading
Best Traditional Christian Reading Curriculum
Price: Approximately $350 with video lessons depending on grade level.
Worldview: Strong Biblical worldview throughout.
Format: Colourful textbooks and workbooks.
Videos: Yes. They feel like a cozy chat with a teacher.
This is the reading curriculum we currently use in our homeschool.
What I appreciate most about BJU Press is balance.
The curriculum is academically solid without becoming overwhelming. The lessons are structured, the phonics instruction is strong, and the video teachers do an excellent job of engaging students.
Unlike many Christian curriculum providers that simply add a Bible verse occasionally, BJU genuinely integrates biblical thinking throughout its lessons.
For families wanting a complete traditional Christian curriculum rather than a reading intervention program, BJU is one of the strongest options available.
Pros
✅ Strong Christian worldview
✅ Excellent video lessons
✅ Good balance of rigor and independence
✅ Colourful and engaging
Cons
❌ More expensive than some alternatives
❌ Not specifically designed for dyslexia intervention
Checkout the curriculum directly here.📦
4. Abeka Phonics
Most Rigorous Reading Program
Price: Approximately $250–$450 depending on level and video options.
Worldview: Strong Baptist Christian worldview.
Format: Colourful textbooks and workbooks.
Videos: Yes. They are set in a traditional classroom with lots of neat students and a teacher with a blackboard.
Few reading programs review concepts as thoroughly as Abeka.
Its phonics instruction is systematic, structured, and relentless in a good way.
Children encounter concepts repeatedly until they become second nature.
For some struggling readers, that level of review is exactly what they need.
The downside is that Abeka can be intense. Some families thrive with the rigor while others find it overwhelming.
Pros
✅ Exceptional phonics instruction
✅ Very strong academics
✅ Lots of review
✅ Traditional school structure
Cons
❌ Heavy workload
❌ Can create burnout for some families
❌ Less flexibility than other programs
Checkout the curriculum directly here.📦
Horizons is quite teacher-led and good because you can start younger. For a struggling reader, if you think they'll learn with you better, this could be a good option.
5. Horizons Phonics and Reading
Best for Younger Children Who Need More Fun
Price: Approximately $80–$150 per subject.
Worldview: Evangelical Christian.
Format: Colourful workbooks.
Videos: No.
Horizons is probably the most visually engaging curriculum on this list.
The colourful pages, varied activities, and spiral review system make lessons feel less intimidating for many young learners.
Children who dislike traditional black-and-white workbooks often respond very well to Horizons.
The trade-off is parent involvement. Horizons is significantly more teacher-intensive than BJU, Abeka with videos, or Monarch-style programs.
Pros
✅ Bright and colourful
✅ Lots of review
✅ Engaging activities
✅ Great for younger learners
Cons
❌ Parent intensive
❌ Less independent
❌ Not ideal for busy homeschool moms
Checkout the curriculum directly here.📦
My Verdict 🏆
Best Homeschool Curriculum for Struggling Readers
If your child is struggling to learn to read, especially if dyslexia is a factor, All About Reading is the curriculum I would investigate first. Its Orton-Gillingham approach, multisensory lessons, and highly structured phonics instruction make it one of the strongest reading intervention programs available.
Best for Understanding English Rules
If you want your child to understand not only how to read but why English works the way it does, Logic of English is hard to beat.
Most Rigorous Reading Program
If your child thrives on structure, repetition, and academic challenge, Abeka remains one of the strongest phonics-based reading programs available.
The encouraging news is that struggling readers can make enormous progress. I've seen it in my own son. Sometimes the difference isn't intelligence, effort, or motivation. Sometimes it's simply finding the curriculum that teaches reading in a way that finally clicks.
But these aren’t the only reading programs out there. Take a look at the ones below, which are very popular!
