Curriculum & Method
Best Christian Curriculum for High School: A Parent's Guide (2026)
The best Christian high school curricula for 2026: college-prep, vocational, and faith-centered options for 9th through 12th grade, with transcript and ESA guidance.
12 min read · Updated
Spotlighted programs in this guide
FeaturedElementary Writing Tutor
Helping Students Become Confident Readers and Writers I'm Kristi Wolch, M.Ed., founder of Elementary Writing Tutor. I provide one-on-one online reading and writing tutoring for students in grades 4–8, with a special focus on neurodiverse learners, including students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia traits, executive functioning challenges, and reluctant writers. I also support homeschool families who want extra guidance teaching reading and writing at home. Every child learns differently, so every lesson is personalized. Before instruction begins, I assess each student's strengths and areas of need, then create an individualized plan that builds skills step by step. Sessions combine explicit instruction, engaging activities, and plenty of encouragement so students gain both academic skills and confidence. Whether we're strengthening reading comprehension, improving sentence writing, organizing essays, building vocabulary, or mastering grammar, each lesson is designed to support student growth. My background includes more than 10 years as a special education classroom teacher, followed by over a decade of private tutoring. I also hold a master’s degree in special education from the University of Washington. Since 2015, I've worked with students both online and in person, helping children who struggle with reading and writing become more independent learners. I love finding creative ways to make challenging concepts manageable, especially for students who have begun to believe they "just aren't good at writing or reading." Families often tell me that their children not only improve academically but also become more willing to write, participate in reading activities, and tackle assignments independently. My goal is to help students develop the confidence, communication skills, and learning strategies that will serve them for years to come. I believe parents are valuable partners in the learning process, and I work hard to make sure they understand their child's progress and know how to support learning between sessions. My Christian faith is an important part of who I am and guides the way I serve others with kindness, integrity, and compassion. While faith is not the focus of tutoring, I am comfortable teaching with Christian curriculum and publishers when families request them. I always respect each family's preferences and follow their lead regarding faith-based discussions during lessons. If you're looking for a patient, experienced tutor who understands how to meet students where they are and help them grow, I'd love the opportunity to support your child in becoming a more confident, capable reader and writer.
FeaturedWrite Well Academy - College Esssay and Writing Tutor, Writing Professor
Hello, my students call me Ms. Kelly. I help students become stronger, more confident writers without taking over their work. My goal is to help students understand how writing works, find their own voice, and develop a process they can use again and again. I want them to leave tutoring with more than a finished assignment. I want them to know how to begin when stuck, organize ideas, revise thoughtfully, and trust themselves as writers. A typical week is shaped around the student rather than a rigid curriculum. We may work on a homeschool essay, prepare for AP English Language, strengthen grammar and sentence structure, practice literary or rhetorical analysis, develop research skills, or revise a college or scholarship essay. I keep the work focused and manageable, with clear next steps rather than a mountain of corrections. I work with students from middle school through college, including reluctant writers, advanced writers who need deeper feedback, and students who have struggled with traditional writing instruction. I also support families preparing for dual enrollment, AP courses, college-level writing, and the college application process. Parents are kept informed, while students are encouraged to take ownership of their work and become more independent. I teach writing as a process, not a formula. I have more than 25 years of experience teaching college writing and supporting developing writers. My background includes composition and rhetoric, AP English Language instruction and scoring, student success coaching, college essay coaching, and expressive writing. Write Well Academy offers flexible, individualized online instruction and is an approved Arizona ESA vendor. Each student’s work is built around current needs, family goals, academic plans, and long-term growth. If your student is preparing for college application season, I am happy to send you a free college essay workbook with no obligation.
The best Christian curriculum for high school has one job: prepare your student for whatever comes next, whether that is college, trade school, entrepreneurship, or a gap year, while keeping Christ at the center of their education.
High school homeschooling is less about picking one boxed curriculum and more about building a four-year plan that meets state requirements, builds a transcript, and reflects your student's strengths.
What High School Curriculum Should Cover
A college-preparatory Christian high school program typically includes:
- Four years of English (literature, composition, grammar)
- Three to four years of math (algebra, geometry, algebra II, precalculus/calculus)
- Three to four years of science (biology, chemistry, physics with labs)
- Three to four years of history/social studies (world history, American history, government, economics)
- Bible, worldview, or apologetics
- Foreign language (two years recommended for college)
- Electives (fine arts, technology, life skills, PE)
Not every student needs the college-prep path. A student heading into a trade may take less math and more practical electives.
Best Christian High School Curricula
Abeka (Grades 9-12)
Abeka high school offers traditional textbook courses in every subject, with optional video instruction. It is structured, thorough, and widely recognized by Christian colleges.
Best for: Families who want a school-like structure and clear scope and sequence for transcripts.
BJU Press (Grades 9-12)
BJU Press high school is generally considered more rigorous than Abeka, particularly in science, math, and literature. Distance learning includes teacher-graded options at the upper levels.
Best for: College-bound students who need strong academics and independent study options.
Sonlight (Levels 100-500)
Sonlight high school is literature-based and discussion-driven, with strong history, Bible, and literature courses. Math and science are typically added separately.
Best for: Students who love to read, write, and discuss ideas.
Apologia (Science)
Apologia is the dominant Christian high school science publisher. Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses include labs and are strong enough for college-bound students.
Best for: Families who want rigorous, young-earth creation science with solid lab work.
Memoria Press (Grades 9-12)
Memoria Press high school is classical, Latin-centered, and built around the great books. It is demanding and produces strong thinkers.
Best for: Classical families who want Latin, logic, rhetoric, and great books.
Veritas Press (Omnibus and Self-Paced)
Veritas Press offers self-paced online high school courses with a Reformed classical perspective, including the Omnibus program.
Best for: Reformed families who want online, self-paced classical courses.
Teaching Textbooks (Math)
Teaching Textbooks is a popular high school math option for students who work independently. Courses cover pre-algebra through precalculus.
Best for: Students who need self-paced, computer-based math with automatic grading.
Seton Home Study School
Seton Home Study School is a Catholic, accredited distance-learning program that provides full high school diplomas and transcripts.
Best for: Catholic families who want accreditation and record-keeping handled.
Building a Christian High School Transcript
You do not need accreditation to homeschool high school in Arizona, but you do need good records. Keep:
- Course descriptions
- Grades and credits
- Textbooks and materials used
- Test scores (SAT, ACT, CLT)
- Extracurriculars and service hours
Accredited programs like Seton, BJU Press Distance Learning, and some online Christian schools simplify transcript creation.
Arizona ESA and High School Curriculum
Arizona ESA funds can cover high school curriculum, online courses, lab kits, tutoring, and some dual enrollment expenses. Many Christian publishers and online schools are ClassWallet vendors. See our Arizona ESA guide, ESA-approved curriculum list, and how to use ESA funds for curriculum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I homeschool high school with ESA funds? Yes. ESA funds can pay for curriculum, classes, tutoring, and educational services for high school students.
What is the most rigorous Christian high school curriculum? BJU Press, Memoria Press, and Apologia science are generally considered the most rigorous options.
Do Christian high school curricula provide transcripts? Some do. Seton, BJU Press Distance Learning, and some online academies provide accredited transcripts. Most boxed curricula do not; parents create their own.
Can my high schooler take dual enrollment with ESA funds? Some dual enrollment expenses may be ESA-eligible. Confirm current rules through ClassWallet and the Arizona Department of Education. See Does ESA Pay for Dual Enrollment? and our dual enrollment hub.
What about Christian online high schools? See our Best Online Christian High Schools guide for accredited options that accept Arizona ESA.
Related Guides
Curriculums covered in this guide
Tap any publisher for its full profile, teaching philosophy, and Arizona ESA notes.
Abeka
Abeka (Pensacola Christian College)
Traditional, textbook-based K-12 Christian curriculum known for phonics-first reading, structured grammar, and a biblical worldview across every subject.
BJU Press
BJU Press
Christian K-12 textbook and video curriculum from Bob Jones University. Strong academics, biblical worldview integration, and well-known science and history programs.
Sonlight
Sonlight Curriculum
Literature-based, Christian homeschool curriculum built around living books, missionary stories, and a global history rotation for K-12.
Apologia
Apologia Educational Ministries
Christian science and worldview curriculum for elementary through high school. The Exploring Creation series is a homeschool standard for biology, chemistry, and physics.
Memoria Press
Memoria Press
Classical Christian curriculum centered on Latin, the great books, and the trivium. Publisher of the widely used Classical Core Curriculum.
Veritas Press
Veritas Press
Reformed classical Christian curriculum and online school known for self-paced history, Bible, and Omnibus programs.
Teaching Textbooks
Teaching Textbooks
Self-grading, video-based math curriculum for grades 3-12. Independent format popular with busy homeschool families.
Part of the Curriculum & method hub
Christian Homeschool Curriculum Guides
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This guide is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Confirm current rules with the Arizona Department of Education before acting.