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Before day one, you need curriculum, materials, and supplies. This checklist walks you through what to buy, estimated costs, and where to find everything. Not all items are necessary—prioritize based on your budget and approach.
Key Takeaways:
- Budget $650-5,475 per child annually, mid-range ~$1,830
- Core subjects (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) are your priority
- Used curriculum saves 30-50% on costs
- Louisiana tax deduction covers 50% of qualifying expenses (up to $6,000)
- Library and free resources (Khan Academy, Easy Peasy) can significantly reduce costs
Core Curriculum (By Subject)
English Language Arts (Required K-12)
Elementary Options:
- Abeka: $200-300/year (workbooks, reader, teacher guide)
- BJU Press: $250-350/year
- Sonlight: $400-600/year (literature-based, includes books)
- All About Reading: $150-250/year
- Brave Writer: $100-200/year
- Handwriting Without Tears: $50-100/year
High School:
- Same publishers, expanded literature selections
- Cost: $250-400/year
- Consider classic literature (use library; free online sources)
Tip: Sonlight is pricier but includes all required books. Traditional programs require additional book purchases.
Mathematics (Required K-12)
Elementary:
- Saxon Math: $80-150/year (workbook + solutions)
- Teaching Textbooks: $150-250/year (online, includes video instruction)
- Abeka Math: $120-180/year
- Singapore Math: $100-200/year
- Math Mammoth: $30-50/year (downloadable, very affordable)
High School (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calc, Calculus):
- Saxon: $100-150/course
- Teaching Textbooks: $180-250/course
- BJU Press: $150-200/course
- Khan Academy: FREE (online video instruction)
- Dual enrollment: $200-600/course (college-level, cheaper than online alternatives)
Tip: Teaching Textbooks includes built-in grading and explanation videos—works well for independent learners.
Science (Required K-12)
Elementary:
- Abeka Science: $120-180/year
- Apologia Who is God? Series: $80-150/year (hands-on, exploration-based)
- BJU Science: $150-200/year
- Evan-Moor Science Activities: $60-100/year
- Khan Academy: FREE (supplement)
High School (Biology, Chemistry, Physics):
- Apologia: $150-250/course (college-prep)
- Abeka/BJU: $180-300/course
- Online courses: $300-600/course (often include lab equipment)
- Dual enrollment: $200-600/course (college science with lab)
Science costs can spike with lab materials: Budget extra $100-300/year if doing hands-on labs. Many experiments use household items (vinegar, baking soda, food coloring).
Social Studies/History (Required K-12)
Elementary:
- Mystery of History (Abeka): $80-150/year
- Story of the World: $60-120/year (literature-based)
- Homeschool History Series: $100-180/year
- Abeka Social Studies: $100-160/year
High School (History, Government, Economics):
- Abeka/BJU: $120-200/course
- Story of the World High School: $100-180/year
- Dual enrollment: $200-600/course (college-level history)
Electives (Grade-Dependent)
Fine Arts (High School Required):
- Dual enrollment art course: $200-600
- Online art course: $100-300
- Local community college class: $100-200
Foreign Language (High School Required):
- Rosetta Stone: $150-300/year
- Duolingo Plus: $96/year
- Latin Alive: $100-200/year
- Dual enrollment: $200-600/course
Physical Education & Health:
- PE: $0-100 (self-designed with home activities, sports, dance)
- Health: $50-150 (online course or textbook)
Supplies & Materials
Basic Supplies (First Year):
- Notebooks/binders: $30-50
- Pencils, erasers, pens: $20-30
- Paper (printing, construction): $20-30
- Markers, colored pencils, crayons: $15-25
- Scissors, glue, tape: $10-15
- Calculator: $15-30
Subtotal: $110-180
(Much of this you already have. First year is highest supply cost.)
Optional but Useful:
- Planner/calendar: $15-30
- File organizers: $20-40
- Bulletin board/whiteboard: $20-40
Technology & Online Programs
Optional but Many Families Use:
- Time4Learning: $100-200/year (elementary), $200-300/year (high school)
- Khan Academy: FREE
- Easy Peasy: FREE
- Abeka Academy: $300-500/year (video instruction)
- Computer/Tablet: $200-600 (one-time, if needed)
- Printer: $100-300 (one-time; optional if using library)
Additional Resources
Strongly Recommended (Free/Low-Cost):
- Library card (FREE): Access to books, materials, sometimes programs
- Khan Academy (FREE): Video instruction across subjects
- YouTube channels: FREE subject-specific instruction
- Easy Peasy (FREE): Complete online curriculum option
Co-op Participation:
- Typical cost: $100-400/year per family
- Provides: Classes, oversight, community, field trips
- Highly recommended for first-year support
Louisiana-Specific Considerations
Tax Benefits (MAJOR):
- Louisiana Tax Deduction: 50% of qualified expenses, max $6,000/child/year
- This means you can deduct up to $3,000/child in expenses
- Includes curriculum, supplies, tutoring, co-op fees, online programs
- File on Louisiana state taxes
529 Education Savings:
- Louisiana state deduction: up to $2,400/child/year
- Federal 2026 change: $20,000 annual withdrawal (up from $10,000)
- Can be used for K-12 homeschool expenses
- Plan ahead for significant savings
GATOR ESA (If Income/Disability Eligible):
- $5,243-15,253/student annually
- Can cover all curriculum and tutoring costs
- Opens Phase 2 to all income levels
- Trade-off: Requires waiving IDEA special education rights
Budget Examples
Minimal Budget (Elementary): $650-1,000/year
- Used curriculum (50% discount): $300-400
- Supplies: $100-150
- Library card: FREE
- Khan Academy supplement: FREE
- Co-op: None
- Total: $400-550 (after tax deduction: ~$200-275)
Mid-Range Budget (Elementary): $1,500-2,000/year
- New curriculum (Math, ELA, Science, History): $600-800
- Supplies: $100-150
- Co-op participation: $200-400
- Enrichment (music, art): $100-200
- Optional online program: $100-200
- Total: $1,100-1,750 (after tax deduction: ~$550-875)
Full-Featured Budget (High School): $3,500-5,000+/year
- Dual enrollment college courses: $1,200-2,000
- Curriculum and materials: $800-1,200
- Online programs: $300-500
- Tutoring/co-op: $400-800
- Field trips, resources: $200-300
- Total: $2,900-4,800 (after tax deduction: ~$1,450-2,400)
Where to Buy
New Curriculum:
- Abeka (www.abeka.com)
- BJU Press (www.bjupress.com)
- Sonlight (www.sonlight.com)
- Amazon
- Rainbow Resource (rainbowresource.com)
Used Curriculum:
- Facebook Homeschool Buy/Sell groups (save 30-50%)
- Rainbow Resource Used section
- eBay
- Local homeschool co-ops (often have used sales)
- Homeschool conventions (significant discounts)
Free/Low-Cost:
- Library (books, materials, programs)
- Khan Academy (free video instruction)
- Easy Peasy (free online curriculum)
- YouTube (free instruction on nearly every subject)
Money-Saving Tips
- Buy used: Save 30-50% on curriculum
- Use library: Free books, materials, sometimes programs
- Share curriculum: Co-op families often split costs
- Take advantage of tax deduction: File carefully; save receipts
- Use free online resources: Khan Academy, YouTube, Easy Peasy
- Buy biennially: Some curriculum is reusable every two years
- Join a homeschool convention: Huge discounts on curriculum and materials
- Plan ahead: Avoid last-minute, premium-priced purchases
First-Year Shopping Timeline
June-July:
- Decide on curriculum and approach
- Create realistic budget
- Research options
July-August:
- Purchase core curriculum
- Order supplies
- Set up learning space
Late August:
- Final supply purchases
- Download digital programs, create accounts
- Gather any library resources
September:
- Start instruction
- Assess what else you need
- Make small adjustments
Throughout Year:
- Use tax deduction to help offset costs
- Plan next year’s purchases in advance
Summary
Your core curriculum (Math, ELA, Science, History) will be your largest expense, $600-1,200 for elementary and $1,200-2,000+ for high school. Add supplies, optional online programs, and co-op participation, and a mid-range budget is $1,500-2,500/year per child.
Louisiana’s tax deduction (50% of expenses, up to $6,000/child) is significant. Budget $1,500-2,500; after tax deduction, your actual cost is $750-1,250.
For help choosing specific curriculum, see . For planning your entire first year, see .
Start with essentials (core curriculum), add to them as needed, and take advantage of free resources. You don’t need everything. You need curriculum that works for your child and your family.