Looking for a Charlotte Mason curriculum?
While you can always create your own curriculum, many parents and educators prefer to use a pre-made curriculum and adapt it to their family. Here is a very brief overview of some of the most common Charlotte Mason curriculum options to help you get started in your own personal research.
I highly recommend establishing your educational philosophy before exploring curriculum and resource options.
When looking at curriculum options, you can:
-Look through the website and materials provided
-Research the scope and sequence
-Look at samples of the curriculum
-Find reviews on blogs, social media, and YouTube
-Email the company with specific questions about their curriculum or resource
Some curriculum companies will host a digital "Open House" for you to learn more and hear directly from the creators.
Here are several Charlotte Mason curriculum options to consider as you research.
A Delectable Education (ADE)
A Delectable Education provides a consultation service where they create a personalized curriculum for your family. This includes a phone call with Liz, followed by a curriculum list provided by Emily. The curriculum includes resource suggestions and book lists for each subject.
-Four-year history cycle, beginning in country or origin
-All students are in the same history cycle
-Many subjects correspond to the current history time period (artist study, composer study, poetry, literature)
-The cost includes the consultation and personalized curriculum. Families will then need to purchase separate resources and books as needed.
-ADE uses older living books that have stood the test of time
-ADE sells individual planning and teaching resources, teacher training resources, and curriculum templates
-School years are structured into three terms of 12 weeks each (11 weeks of lessons, 1 week of exams)
-Cost: $60 for the first hour, $30 per hour after that (for time on phone consultation and time developing your plan)
For more information, check out the A Delectable Education podcast, see their additional resources, and view their curriculum consultation information.
Alveary
Alveary is a membership-based curriculum created by The Charlotte Mason Institute. It provides lessons for students in grades 1-12, additional training resources, and a membership community.
-Four-year history cycle, beginning in country or origin
-All students are in the same history cycle
-Many subjects correspond to the same history cycle
-Includes additional support and training resources
-Includes access to The Hive, a community for Alveary members
-Alveary includes both classic and newer living books
-School years are structured into three terms of 12 weeks each (11 weeks of lessons, 1 week of exams)
-Alveary sells some of their lessons individually
-Cost: $300 for membership for the 2025-2026 school year (You can use my affiliate code NICKLAUS for $25 off membership.)
For more information, check out Alveary's website.
The Charlotte Mason Educational Center (The CMEC)
The CMEC is a membership-based curriculum that provides a full course of study for students in grades 1-12. It also includes training resources and community.
-Four-year history cycle, beginning in country or origin
-All students are in the same history cycle
-Many subjects *may* correspond to the same history cycle, though not always
-Includes additional support and training such as form guides, summer planning resources, and mother's education resources
-Includes a Kinderleben guide for younger children
-The CMEC uses older living books that have stood the test of time
-The CMEC does not sell any resources individually
-Cost: $300 for membership for the 2025-2026 school year
For more information, visit The CMEC website.
AmblesideOnline (AO)
AmblesideOnline is a free Charlotte Mason homeschool curriculum for grades 1-12.
-AO started in 1999 and has stood the test of time
-The AO website provides additional information and a forum for support
-Six-year history cycle beginning with British history
-Students in various years are not in the same history cycle (However, educators can use AO for Groups to combine students into the same history cycle)
-Other subjects do not necessarily correspond to the student's history cycle
-AO uses older living books that have stood the test of time
-Cost: free
For more information, visit AmblesideOnline's website.
Simply Charlotte Mason (SCM)
Simply Charlotte Mason offers both individual resources and materials to create a full curriculum.
-SCM prioritizes family-style learning with materials to teach many subjects together as a family
-They encourage combining topic-based subjects such as Bible, history, nature study, poetry, literature, and more
-Students work at their own pace for skill-based lessons such as math, science, and language arts
-SCM follows a six-year history cycle
-The Bible is studied alongside Ancient history
-SCM offers individual resources or a full curriculum
-Cost: Varies based on specific resources used
For more information, visit Simply Charlotte Mason's website.
A Gentle Feast (AGF)
A Gentle Feast is a Charlotte Mason curriculum company offering a full curriculum, individual subjects, or a monthly membership.
-AGF prioritizes family-style learning and combining subjects
-Follows a four-year history cycle beginning with American history
-All students are in the same history cycle
-Encourages "morning time" subjects together as a family
-AGF offers individual resources, a full curriculum, or a membership
-Cost: Membership is $30/month; Curriculum or individual resources vary
For more information, visit A Gentle Feast's website.
The Children's Tradition (TCT)
The Children's Tradition is inspired by both Charlotte Mason and John Senior. While influenced by Charlotte Mason's philosophy, The Children's Tradition is also deeply rooted in the broader world of classical education. The curriculum is available through 7th grade.
-TCT encompasses Nursery and School Years, which is preschool through 7th grade.
-TCT is influenced by Charlotte Mason, but is also rooted in the broader world of Christian classical education.
-Largely based on John Senior's work, including his 1,000 Good Books List, as well as the work of James Taylor.
-The community, The Toolshed, is available for an additional cost.
-TCT does not follow a particular history cycle, but includes historical fiction, historical accounts, and medieval chroniclers.
-The curriculum includes a thorough section on educational philosophy as foundational information for parents and educators
-Cost: $250 for a one-time purchase of the full curriculum through grade 7
To learn more, visit The Children's Tradition website, see a walk-through of the curriculum, tune in to The Wonder Years podcast, visit The Toolshed, or watch this video from The Commonplace.
