What Reviewers Say

Reviewers and homeschool parents consistently describe The Catherine Project as a 'hidden gem' that provides an elite, St. John's College-style seminar experience for free. The consensus across platforms like the Well-Trained Mind forums and Reddit is that the intellectual quality is exceptional, often surpassing AP-level courses due to the presence of PhD-level facilitators and a focus on primary texts. The most significant trade-off mentioned is the accessibility; because the program is free and relies on volunteer mentors, demand far exceeds supply, leading to a lottery-based admission system that can be frustrating for those seeking a reliable schedule. Additionally, while the program is open to high schoolers, reviewers emphasize that it is designed for adults, requiring students to possess significant maturity and independent reading skills. There is high praise for the 'pure' educational environment where students learn for the sake of inquiry rather than grades.

How It Works

A typical week centers on a student reading a substantial portion of a primary text, such as a Platonic dialogue or a classic epic, in preparation for a weekly meeting. Once a week, the student joins a live, 90-minute online seminar led by a volunteer mentor where they engage in a collaborative, Socratic discussion about the text's ideas. Because there are no grades or written assignments, the parent's role is mostly ensuring the student has a quiet space and stays on track with the rigorous reading schedule. Materials are minimal, usually consisting only of a physical copy of the specific book being studied that term.

Switching to This?

There are no formal placement tests or diagnostics, as the program is designed for adult learners and selects participants through a lottery system for its tutorials and reading groups. Families typically look at the current course offerings and choose based on the student's interest in specific texts rather than a sequential grade level. Because the program operates on a fixed semester schedule for Fall, Spring, and Summer, families must apply during specific enrollment windows rather than attempting a mid-year start. If transitioning from an AP-style course, parents should prepare their students for a lack of traditional grading, as the focus shifts entirely from earning points to the intrinsic value of high-level intellectual inquiry.

Curriculum Details

Price

$0

All reading groups and tutorials are entirely free of charge, supported by voluntary donations.

Grades

9 - 12

Available As

Digital Synchronous Live

Coverage

Supplement

Subjects

Reading/Language Arts History/Social Studies Logic & Critical Thinking

---

Pacing

Fixed schedule

Parent Time

0 min/day

Parent Involvement

None

Student Independence

Fully independent

---

Academic Level

Advanced

Worldview

Neutral

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

When compared to the Great Books Academy, The Catherine Project is more focused on live, peer-to-peer Socratic discussion rather than a structured, graded curriculum with written output. Unlike the St. John’s College Summer Academy, which is a paid, short-term intensive program, The Catherine Project is entirely free and integrates into the regular school year. Parents often weigh it against Wondrium, but the key difference is interactivity; Wondrium is a passive video-lecture experience, while The Catherine Project requires active, verbal participation in a live group setting. In contrast to the Angelicum Academy, which provides a comprehensive Catholic-integrated Great Books track, The Catherine Project remains secular in its approach to these texts, focusing on philosophical inquiry rather than religious instruction. Finally, compared to a traditional AP Literature course, this program removes the pressure of a standardized exam, allowing students to spend weeks on a single text's nuances instead of rushing through a broad syllabus.

Getting Started