7 Rigorous Christian Homeschool Curriculums: challenging but doable

This afternoon, my son hit me with a plot twist.

He looked at me over his sandwich and said:
“Mum, I’ve learned that if you push through the hard stuff, you can always get to the end and learn something really worthwhile.”

This from the same child who cried over phonics in February.

But he kept going. And now? Reading is his favorite subject.

That, my friend, is why I don’t pick fluff-filled curriculums with cartoon camels teaching fractions.

I pick the kind of academically challenging Christian homeschool curriculum that stretches your brain cells and your sanctification.

Today, I’m showing you 7 rigorous Christian homeschool programs that:

• Keep the Gospel at the center

• Actually challenge your kids academically

• And still leave you with the will to homeschool again tomorrow

Because yes—your kids can do hard things. And so can you.

Oh, and heads up—this post contains affiliate links, so if you decide to purchase this curriculum here, thank you! It helps support our small homeschool family. 💛

1. BJU Press

Want to know which curriculum inspired my son’s little “deep thought” moment?

BJU Press.

This is hands-down one of my favorite high academic Christian homeschool curriculums because it’s strong on both biblical worldview and critical thinking.

It’s not just “memorize this because the book says so”—it actually teaches kids how to think.

It’s open-and-go with colorful workbooks and ptre-recorded-teacher-led video lessons (see pic above).

This means in the morning I can say, “Off you go,” and my son starts his colorful workbooks and pre-recorded video lessons without me needing to stand over him like a helicopter.

You can watch the video below to see how it works in our home.

And here’s my little confession: BJU gives you 180 lessons per year, but I skip 20–40% of the worksheets if he already knows the material.

Why?

Because I love him.

And also because I enjoy finishing before Christmas.

💰 Cost: Around $1,099 per student for the full box set.

🎯 Best for: Parents who want a robust Christian homeschool curriculum that builds independence, teaches from a strong Christian worldview, and doesn’t make Mum lose her mind.

📍 Rigor scale: Solid orange—challenging, but not crushing. (Look at the scale at the end of the page.)

👉Have a look at this open-and-go (BJU Press) curriculum here.

2. Abeka

If BJU Press is a strong cup of coffee, Abeka is a triple-shot espresso with no sugar.

This is the queen of drill and memorization.

Like BJU, Abeka has been around for decades, offers colorful workbooks, and comes with teacher-led video lessons.

The big difference?

Abeka goes hard.

We’re talking 180 lessons per subject every single year.

If your child is gifted or thrives on structure, this can be amazing.

But if they already know the material, please, please, please—skip the extras, or you may find yourself drowning in worksheets.

(Interesting little comment below which sums up the curriculum a bit.)

BJU and Abeka are often compared as they’re fairly similar.

Watch the video below to checkout the differences.( I think these are my two top picks for challenging homeschooling picks.)

💰 Cost: About $1,349 per student.

🎯 Best for: Families who want an intensive Christian homeschool curriculum that’s thorough to the point of needing a medal at the end.

📍 Rigor scale: Full-on red—challenging, thorough, but can be overwhelming if you don’t edit it down.

3. Christian Light Education (CLE)

Now, I love BJU and Abeka for their video lessons.

But maybe you want something fully offline—no logins, no buffering, no “Mum, the internet’s down!” meltdown.

Enter Christian Light Education.

CLE uses mini workbooks your kids complete and set aside, giving them that sweet, sweet sense of accomplishment.

And the price?

About half the cost of Abeka—we’re talking serious value here.

But here’s the important part: CLE is produced by a Mennonite publisher.

That means you might very occasionally notice themes in the curriculum like pacifism, head coverings, strong anti-Calvinism, and total abstinence from alcohol.

(I got pamphlets about all of these.)

BUT I don’t think these themes come out that much in their curriculum.

That said, I’d love to hear from you—comment below if you’ve spotted these theological stances in your CLE books.

💰 Cost: Very affordable, about half the price of Abeka.

🎯 Best for: Parents who want a low-cost, academically solid Christian homeschool program that’s easy to manage and totally offline.

📍 Rigor scale: Orange—challenging, but manageable.

4. Memoria Press

Ah yes, Memoria Press—aka “Classical, but make it hardcore.”

This classical Christian homeschool curriculum follows the grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages. It’s academically rich, beautifully presented, and will absolutely flex your child’s brain (and possibly your Google search history).

You can keep it fully offline with gorgeous printed materials, or enroll in their academy if you prefer an online component.

💰 Cost: Around $700 per student.

🎯 Best for: Families who want a classical, high-academic homeschool curriculum that’s beautiful and thorough.

📍 Rigor scale: Orange/red—challenging, but very rewarding.

5. Veritas Press

Want classical with a tech upgrade?

Veritas Press offers live online courses, self-paced history, and loads of Bible integration.

And here’s the cool part—in some states, you can get state funding (via education scholarship accounts) to cover your child’s tuition.

That can mean thousands of dollars saved.

Otherwise?

It’s pricey.

I think Veritas is fantastic: strong theology + robust academics = homeschool win.

📖 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” —2 Timothy 3:16

💰 Cost: Premium pricing—worth it if you can afford it or get funding.

🎯 Best for: Families wanting a rigorous classical homeschool program with live teacher interaction and strong biblical integration.

📍 Rigor scale: Orange/red—demanding, but top-notch.

👉 Get a free consultation HERE to see if Veritas Press is right for your family—and if you qualify for funding.

6. Heart of Dakota

Okay, maybe all that classical talk made your eyeball twitch.

You’re thinking, “I don’t want Latin chants—I want read-alouds, watercolor paints, and acorns in my kid’s pockets.”

You, my friend, might be a Charlotte Mason girlie.

Heart of Dakota is like if Charlotte Mason met a Type-A planner and said, “Let’s do this.”

It’s packed with discipleship, literature, nature study, and living books, but it’s also academically strong—especially in the upper years.

Christ is at the center, and it blends gentle rhythms with genuine intellectual challenge.

One note: the Charlotte Mason method is not a “just wing it” style. It’s worth learning the method before you dive in.

📌 Side note: I explain Charlotte Mason and other homeschool styles in my Homeschool Parenting Program—it’s your GPS for homeschooling without burnout.

💰 Cost: About $800 per child.

🎯 Best for: Parents who want a Christ-centered, literature-rich homeschool curriculum that’s still rigorous.

📍 Rigor scale: Yellow/orange—gentle feel, but deceptively challenging.

7. Saxon Math

Sometimes you just need math that works.

And for many, that’s Saxon Math.

It’s structured, spiral, and thorough—very thorough.

Some people adore it; others… not so much.

The biggest complaint?

Busywork.

Many parents skip every other problem and still get great results.

💰 Cost: Varies by grade level, generally affordable.

🎯 Best for: Families looking for a rigorous math curriculum that’s proven and methodical.

📍 Rigor scale: Orange/red—solidly challenging.

Note: This one is used by Christians (and sold on ChristianBooks.com) but is secular.

🏆 Bonus: Rod and Staff

Okay, let’s talk about Rod and Staff—a curriculum so old-school, it probably predates your slow cooker.

It’s budget-friendly, black-and-white, no digital anything.

No streaming, no QR codes, no “log into your portal.”

Just paper, pencil, and the smug satisfaction of knowing you’re doing it the way Grandma would’ve approved.

It’s also produced by a Mennonite publisher, so expect traditional values and tone.

And yes—I used Rod and Staff when I was homeschooled 30 years ago.

It’s been around longer than my lower back pain.

💰 Cost: Around $400 per child.

🎯 Best for: Parents who want a basic, no-frills, academically solid Christian homeschool curriculum at a low price.

📍 Rigor scale: Yellow/orange—solid and consistent.

I’ve read thousands of comments on these homeschool programs and this is my rough guess of their academic rigor/challenge level for homeschoolers.

Final Thoughts

Rigorous doesn’t have to mean impossible.

These programs will stretch your kids academically and spiritually, but they’re also adaptable—you can skip, tweak, and adjust so it works for your family.

But for a lot of parents, the real make-or-break factor is whether the curriculum is open-and-go.

Some on this list are a breeze… others require coffee, laminating, and possibly a support group.

👉 Before you buy anything, watch my video below.

It might just save you from crying into a three-ring binder.

📩 Want my free Homeschool Curriculum Snapshot PDF? Get it [HERE] and compare prices, pros, and cons for over 20 Christian homeschool programs in one handy chart.