Sonlight

Why We Like It

Sonlight's literature-based approach is unmatched for building a love of reading and deep historical understanding. The Instructor Guides tell you exactly what to say and ask each day, making it one of the most parent-friendly curricula available. Families who stick with Sonlight tend to stay for K–12 — it builds beautifully year over year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Instructor guides are incredibly detailed — parents don't need a teaching background
• Literature-rich approach builds strong reading comprehension and critical thinking
• Strong history and world cultures curriculum sets it apart from peers

Cons

• Heavy on books — some kids (and parents) find the reading load intense
• Math is not included and must be purchased separately

Score Breakdown

Curricula were evaluated on educational rigor and outcomes, flexibility for different learning styles, ease of use for parents, comprehensiveness across subjects, and value relative to cost.