Outschool
by Outschool Inc. (website )
Live online classes taught by independent instructors covering diverse subjects and interests.
Best Fit For
Families seeking supplemental enrichment in specific subjects or interests. Homeschoolers wanting live instruction for subjects they cannot teach (foreign languages, music, STEM). Parents needing to occupy younger children while teaching older students. Families wanting social interaction for isolated learners. Students with niche interests wanting to connect with peers.
Not Recommended For
Families seeking comprehensive, structured curriculum - Outschool is a la carte only. Those on tight budgets needing predictable costs. Parents frustrated by subscription models or complex billing. Families needing guaranteed high-quality instruction in every class. High schoolers seeking accredited courses.
What Reviewers Say
Outschool is a marketplace connecting families with 10,000+ independent teachers offering 140,000+ live online classes. Reviewers praise the enormous variety - from traditional academics to niche interests like Pokemon and Minecraft - and small class sizes (3-6 students). Particularly valued for supplementing subjects parents cannot teach. However, teacher quality varies significantly since instructors are independent contractors. Common complaints center on the shift to membership/credit model that many find confusing. Customer service receives poor marks. Works best as supplemental resource for specific classes rather than primary curriculum.
How It Works
Parents browse an online marketplace to select specific classes, which range from one-time workshops to semester-long courses meeting weekly. For a typical session, the child logs into the Outschool portal and joins a live video call via Zoom to interact with a teacher and a small group of peers. These sessions usually last between 30 and 60 minutes and require a computer or tablet with a working camera and microphone. Parents primarily act as facilitators, helping younger children with the login process and ensuring any requested supplies, like art materials or printable worksheets provided by the teacher, are ready at the kitchen table before the class begins.
Switching to This?
Outschool does not offer a formal placement test because each class is designed and leveled independently by individual teachers. Parents should carefully review the recommended age range and the 'Learner Supply List' in each class description to determine if the content matches their child's current ability. A common community rule of thumb is to start with a 'One-Time' class or a short 'Social Club' to help a child get comfortable with the live video format before committing to a multi-week academic course. Because the platform is a marketplace rather than a rigid sequence, families can start any class at any time during the year to fill specific gaps in their current curriculum.
Curriculum Details
- Price
- $4 - $100
- Grades
- PRE-K - 12
- Available As
- Digital Internet required
- Coverage
- Supplement
- Pacing
- Flexible
- Parent Time
- 0-15 min/day
- Parent Involvement
- None
- Student Independence
- Semi-independent
- Academic Level
- Grade level
- Worldview
- Neutral
- Engaging for Reluctant Learners
- Yes
Pay-per-class $4-100 per class. One-time classes typically $5-20. Multi-week courses $50-200+. Teachers set their own prices. Optional membership with monthly credits.
Videos
Why OUTSCHOOL for Homeschoolers | Website Walkthrough Review
by Maritza M.
Reviews We Consulted
Highlights that quality is highly inconsistent because it is a marketplace, stating that while the best teachers provide expert niche instruction, the worst are merely "an expensive Zoom call."
"The best Outschool teachers offer something most homeschool families cannot replicate at home - live instruction, peer interaction, and subject-matter expertise in niche areas. The worst ones are an expensive Zoom call. Quality depends entirely on which teacher you find."
Describes the platform as a "decent crapshoot" where most teachers are engaging and professional, though some may struggle with classroom management or factual accuracy.
"It’s a bit of a crap shoot—but a pretty decent crapshoot overall. Most teachers are fun, engaging, and patient. Some hold doctorates, others are retired teachers, and others are passionate hobbyists who want to share their knowledge with kids."
Values the intimacy of small-group sessions for enrichment and tutoring but warns that costs accumulate quickly, making it a poor choice for a full-day school replacement.
"Based on the cost-to-time ratio, Outschool also isn’t the virtual summer classroom of your dreams, serving as an all-day camp replacement. But there is value in the intimate and focused nature of small group classes. It’s more like tutoring or extracurriculars than it is a replacement for school."
Praises the live, interactive format for effectively capturing a child's interest compared to pre-recorded videos, though it suggests parents stay mindful of digital content.
"I love that Outschool allows a kid to interact with a teacher and other students during the lesson. I think that helps so much to grab the kid's interest and get them engaged on a topic."
Highlights the platform's affordability and ease of use but notes that a teacher's academic degrees are not always a reliable indicator of their actual teaching quality.
"Although the quality can vary, the majority of the classes are quite good, affordable, and an easy way to engage your child in learning from home. ... Note: some of the mediocre teachers have advanced degrees. Some of the best teachers have no degree."
Enthusiastic about the "virtually endless" variety of niche subjects but cautions that the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming and student-teacher relationships can feel impersonal if teachers leave.
"Outschool remains a firm favourite in our household. It’s a fantastic resource for homeschoolers and families looking for enriching extracurricular activities. With such a wide range of subjects, from niche interests to mainstream topics, the possibilities are virtually endless — and that’s what I love most about it."
Applauds the platform for fostering student independence and social growth, particularly through the "Learner Allowance" feature which lets kids manage their own course selection.
"Outschool empowers kids and teens to take charge of their learning and explore the topics they love most. ... Outschool’s live, small group classes, and dynamic teachers help kids build genuine friendships. Online learning is seen at its best through Outschool."
Updated: March 2026
How This Compares
When compared to Khan Academy, the key difference is live human interaction; while Khan Academy provides self-paced instructional videos, Outschool features real-time teachers who can answer questions and facilitate group discussions. Families considering Varsity Tutors often choose Outschool for its affordability and social component, as Outschool focuses on small group learning rather than higher-priced one-on-one tutoring. In contrast to Synthesis, which focuses strictly on collaborative logic games and team-building, Outschool offers a massive variety of subjects ranging from traditional core academics to niche interests like Pokémon or forensic science. Compared to a local homeschool co-op, Outschool provides much greater scheduling flexibility, allowing parents to book classes at any time of day without needing to commute or volunteer their own time. Finally, unlike automated programs like Time4Learning, Outschool requires parents to be more hands-on in the selection process, as they must vet individual teachers and reviews to ensure the quality of the instruction.
Getting Started
See What It Looks Like
A strategic walkthrough for families on how to piece together individual Outschool classes to form a comprehensive educational plan.
Provides essential details on how the platform works, including class formats, scheduling, and technical requirements for the online classroom.
Purchase
The central hub for homeschooling families to search for full-curriculum courses, semester-long programs, and supplemental 1-on-1 tutoring.
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