What Reviewers Say

Nicole the Math Lady is widely recognized for transforming the often-intimidating Saxon Math curriculum into an engaging, manageable experience. Reviewers across platforms like Cathy Duffy and The Homeschool Mom consistently praise Nicole's high-energy 'green screen' teaching style and her ability to explain complex concepts in under ten minutes. The most celebrated feature is the 'Smiley Face Grading,' which automates the grading process and reduces parent-child friction. However, some critical feedback from forums like Well-Trained Mind suggests that her bubbly persona may be distracting for older students or those who prefer a more clinical instructional tone. While it requires the purchase of separate Saxon textbooks, most users find the subscription worth the investment for the time it saves parents and the clarity it provides students.

How It Works

A student begins their daily session by watching a short, high-energy video—usually under ten minutes—where Nicole explains the day's Saxon Math concept using a green screen and visual aids. After the video, the child completes the corresponding practice problems in their physical Saxon textbook and then enters their answers into the 'Smiley Face Grading' online portal for instant feedback. The parent's role shifts from primary instructor to facilitator, focusing on reviewing the digital gradebook and helping with specific 'trouble spots' identified by the system. A typical daily session takes between 45 and 75 minutes, requiring the online subscription, a physical Saxon textbook, and a notebook for working out problems.

Switching to This?

Because this program follows the Saxon curriculum, parents should utilize the free Saxon placement tests provided on Nicole's website to ensure the student starts at the correct level. A common community rule of thumb is to trust the placement test results even if they seem 'behind' the child's current grade level, as Saxon's incremental style depends on a solid foundation. Families can seamlessly start mid-year by simply picking up at the lesson number they have reached in their Saxon text. If switching from a mastery-based program, parents should prepare their children for the 'spiral' format, where they will practice many different types of math problems in every single assignment rather than focusing on just one topic.

Curriculum Details

Price

$49 - $149

Pricing ranges from approximately $49/year for a single student membership without grading to $149/year for a family membership (up to 3 students) including online grading.

Grades

3 - 12

Available As

Digital Video Online Grading

Coverage

Supplement

Subjects

Math

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Pacing

Self-paced

Parent Time

5-15 min/day

Parent Involvement

None

Student Independence

Semi-independent

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Academic Level

Above grade level

Worldview

Neutral

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

Compared to Teaching Textbooks, Nicole the Math Lady requires the separate purchase of physical Saxon textbooks, whereas Teaching Textbooks is a fully self-contained digital curriculum. For families looking at BJU Press Distance Learning, Nicole's videos are significantly shorter and more 'to the point,' which is often better for students who get overwhelmed by long lectures. Against CTCMath, which allows students to jump between grade levels and topics freely, Nicole provides a much stricter, pre-defined sequence that ensures no concepts are missed. Shormann Math is a common alternative for high schoolers, but while Shormann is more academically rigorous and focused on STEM careers, Nicole maintains a 'bubbly' and approachable tone designed to reduce math anxiety. Finally, compared to using the standard Saxon Math teacher’s manual, Nicole replaces the parent's need to lecture and grade, making it a better fit for busy families or parents who do not feel confident teaching higher-level mathematics.

Frequently Asked Questions