What Reviewers Say

Next Level Homeschool is consistently praised for filling a gap in the market for truly secular, high-rigor content. Reviewers from sources like Cathy Duffy and The Homeschool Mom highlight the 'non-fluff' nature of the courses, particularly in Science and History. Many families appreciate the 'out of the box' themes, such as using Harry Potter to teach genetics, which engages students who might find traditional textbooks dry. However, the rigor is a double-edged sword; some parents note that the workload can be heavy, especially for students not used to academic writing or critical thinking at a high level. While the platform (Canvas) is professional, some younger students may need parent assistance initially to navigate it. The most common feedback is that the courses are 'advanced' and often exceed the depth of standard grade-level curriculum.

How It Works

A typical week begins with the student logging into the Canvas platform to access a new module, which includes a pre-recorded, voice-over PowerPoint lecture and a list of assignments. Students spend several hours throughout the week watching the presentations, taking notes, and completing research-based projects or critical thinking writing prompts. The parent's role is primarily that of a facilitator, helping younger children navigate the digital dashboard and ensuring older students are managing the higher-than-average writing workload. Most courses require 3 to 5 hours of work per week and primarily use digital materials, though occasional hands-on projects may require basic household or art supplies.

Switching to This?

Next Level Homeschool does not provide a formal placement test; instead, they provide detailed course descriptions and sample videos to help parents determine the right fit. The common community rule of thumb is to choose courses based on the child's interest and reading ability rather than strict grade level, though parents should be aware that the 'advanced' designation is accurate and rigorous. Families can easily start mid-year because many courses are offered as short-term modules or independent-study sessions. If you are switching from a traditional textbook-based program, expect a significant shift away from multiple-choice testing toward open-ended research projects and creative academic writing.

Curriculum Details

Price

$35 - $250

Classes are priced individually per session. Short 4-week courses are typically $40-$60; 10-week courses are ~$135; full semester 14-16 week courses range from $175 to $225.

Grades

2 - 12

Available As

Digital Video

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Science History/Social Studies Writing Reading/Language Arts Art Logic & Critical Thinking

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Pacing

Flexible

Parent Time

5-20 min/day

Parent Involvement

None

Student Independence

Semi-independent

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Academic Level

Above grade level

Worldview

Secular

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

How This Compares

When compared to Athena’s Academy, which also serves gifted students, Next Level Homeschool offers more 'out of the box' themed content like Harry Potter Genetics, whereas Athena’s leans more toward traditional Socratic discussion and live webinars. Against Online G3, Next Level is often viewed as more writing-intensive and project-focused, whereas G3 emphasizes social interaction through moderated message boards. Compared to Outschool, Next Level Homeschool offers a more consistent, curated academic standard across all classes rather than a varying marketplace of individual teachers. While Evan-Moor provides quick, daily 'check-the-box' supplements, Next Level is a deep-dive curriculum that requires much more time but offers significantly more depth for students who find standard materials boring. Finally, compared to a comprehensive program like Wildwood, Next Level is subject-specific, allowing parents to pick and choose high-interest modules without committing to a full-year, all-subject schedule.

Getting Started