How Much Math Do Homeschoolers Really Need?

Written By: The Good and the Beautiful Published On: September 24, 2026

Common Questions Homeschool Parents Ask About Math

Is my child doing enough math for homeschool?
Are my homeschoolers behind in math?
How many levels of math do my children really need to complete by the end of high school, and why?

Jenny Phillips, founder of The Good and the Beautiful, addresses these questions and more in the video "How Much Math Do Homeschoolers Really Need?"

This blog post and video are meant for informational purposes only. Information can change, so please be familiar with the requirements of your state, current information about ACT and SAT expectations, and information about requirements from the higher-learning institution your child plans to attend. Parents are solely responsible for ensuring that any curriculum or resources they choose to use as part of their homeschool meet any applicable requirements or expectations, but The Good and the Beautiful is here to support you and your children!

Hello! I’m Jenny Phillips, the founder of The Good and the Beautiful. Today I’m going to answer these common questions about homeschool math.

First, I will say that this is not a blog post designed to say, “Hey, whatever you are doing—or not doing—you’re doing enough.” I can’t say that—because sometimes homeschoolers are not doing enough, and I do see concerning problems that can come from that. But at the same time, not all children need as many math courses as we may think, and it’s okay to be behind at times.

I hope to give you some principles and benchmarks that will help you feel more knowledgeable and confident as you make the right decisions for your child.

So let’s dive in.

Which math grade level should my child be at?
At The Good and the Beautiful, our math courses are pretty closely aligned to public school levels, so it’s easy to know whether your child is on, above, or below their corresponding public school math level based on the course they are in and whether they are understanding the material. You can also use our Math Placement Test to see what level they are on.
To stay on level for math with The Good and the Beautiful, you generally need to complete about four lessons a week. But that gives you an extra month as well.

What if my child is behind in math?

In a minute, I’ll talk about the end goal: where your child needs to end up in math by the end of high school and why.

But first, I want to emphasize something really important: I believe children should be placed at the level that truly meets their needs. If you are unsure which level your child is at, administer our free Math Placement Test, which can be found on our website, goodandbeautiful.com.

It can be extremely frustrating for a child to be in a level of curriculum that is too high. And it can actually slow down progress because they don’t yet have the foundational skills and knowledge needed to build on and understand the concepts being taught.

As you transition from a classroom setting, where a child may fall through the cracks and miss foundational skills they really needed, to focusing on just your child, you may find that you need to start your child at a lower math level.

So even if you want your child to be at the “correct” grade level, placing them where they genuinely fit can be very beneficial—not only academically, but also for building confidence and enjoyment in learning.

Placing your child where they genuinely fit can be very beneficial—not only academically, but also for building confidence and enjoyment in learning.

Where should my child end up in math by the time they finish high school?

If your plan is to put your child back in public school at some point, or if your state has certain math requirements homeschoolers need to meet, then yes, it’s important to keep up with the expected level.

But what if you are not planning to put your child back into public school and you don’t need to meet specific requirements? How much math do they really need?

Well, it varies. And that is one of the beautiful things about homeschooling.

Which classes should my child take to prepare for college and careers?

If you want your child to be on track for college testing and applications, here is some information about which classes they need for college applications, taking the ACT and SAT, and STEM careers.

College Application Math Requirements

Most colleges require applicants to complete at least three years of high school math and often recommend four. The typical sequence of high school math classes is this:

Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Trigonometry and/or Pre-Calculus
Calculus

Not every high school student takes trigonometry, pre-calculus, or calculus.

Check out our Math Tracks Chart and our blog post “Homeschool Requirements by State” for more information.

To see which math courses we currently have available at The Good and the Beautiful, check out our blog post “High School Updates.”

ACT and SAT Math Requirements

For the ACT and SAT, students generally need to complete Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 to be adequately prepared. A little exposure to higher-level topics like basic trigonometry can help, but most of the ACT and SAT math sections are built on those three subjects.

Look at this breakdown:

Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 →

generally enough preparation for a solid ACT and SAT score

Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry →

helpful for higher scores, especially for competitive college applications or STEM-bound students

Calculus →

not necessary for the ACT or SAT itself

Also, keep in mind that students usually take the ACT or SAT near the end of their junior year, so a great goal is to have completed Algebra 2 by then in order to be well prepared for the ACT or SAT.

Math Requirements for STEM Careers

If your child plans to major in a STEM field—science, technology, engineering, or math—expectations will usually be higher because math skills will be more critical for their college coursework and future career.

Many colleges will expect four years of math in high school, sometimes including pre-calculus or calculus.

What should I do if my child is behind in math?

There are several options for helping your child catch up to the math level they should be at:

In our academically robust courses, if a student does very well in Math 6, they can skip Math 7 and move directly into Math 8, which is Pre-Algebra.
If your child is a grade level behind, you could consider doing five lessons a week instead of four and also doing some lessons in the summer. Over time, they can catch up to their grade level.
If your child is doing well, you could consider crossing out some of the problems in your course book each day to move through lessons more quickly, possibly doing more than one lesson a day.

But keep this in mind:

Sometimes we truly are at capacity as parents, and that’s okay to acknowledge. There are often other ways to support our children’s math growth—through tutoring, online classes, co-ops, family members, or other helpful resources.

Remember the End Goal
Wherever you are in your homeschool math journey, think about where you want to end up, and then make a plan—with prayer and creativity—to help your child reach that goal.
Perhaps you could write out each math course your child has left prior to finishing high school, filling in each year with the course you hope to have the child complete. That can be helpful to see the overall trajectory of your child’s math learning.

The beautiful thing is that there is not just one path to success.

Some children move quickly.
Some need extra time.
Some will pursue advanced math, while others simply need a strong practical foundation.

Remember, homeschooling is not about perfectly replicating public school at home.

It’s about thoughtfully helping your child gain the knowledge, skills and confidence, and preparation they need for the life God is calling them to.

Homeschooling is not about perfectly replicating public school at home.

It’s about thoughtfully helping your child gain the

knowledge,

skills and confidence,

and preparation

they need for the life God is calling them to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschool Math

Is my child doing enough homeschool math?

Whether or not your child is doing enough math depends on where they are at and where they eventually want to be. If your child is at or above their grade level in math, then it is likely they are doing enough! If they aren’t, it is wise to get them caught up as soon as possible.

However, if your homeschooled child is planning on pursuing a STEM-related field, it is important that they meet all prerequisite math requirements. Check out our Math Tracks Chart and our blog post “Homeschool Requirements by State” for more information.

Are my homeschoolers behind in math?

Whether your homeschooled child is “behind” in math depends on their age, their goals, and their background. While it is ideal for children to be at or above their grade level, it is also important that children are placed at a math level that truly meets their needs.

If your child is not at their grade level in math, work calmly but diligently to get them caught up. Wondering if your child is at the right grade level? Administer our free Math Placement Test today.

How many levels of math do my children really need to complete by the end of high school, and why?

How many levels of math your homeschooled child needs to complete depends entirely on their career and life goals. Many children will do just fine only taking the basic required math classes. However, if your child is planning on building a career in math or science, it will be imperative that they prepare adequately with the proper math courses in high school. Wondering which math classes are required, and which are considered advanced? Check out our free High School Math Tracks chart.