Why We Chose The Good and The Beautiful for Our Homeschool

Choosing curriculum can feel like one of the most overwhelming parts of homeschooling. There are endless options, strong opinions, and a quiet pressure to find the perfect fit—as if one program will singlehandedly determine your success.

In our home, we’ve found deep peace and consistency using The Good and The Beautiful curriculum, particularly for language arts and math. While no curriculum is perfect, this one has served us beautifully, and I want to share why we chose it, how we use it, and where it may (or may not) be the best fit.

A Curriculum That Feels Gentle, Not Rushed

One of the greatest strengths of The Good and The Beautiful is its tone.

Lessons feel:

Calm
Encouraging
Well-paced
Respectful of childhood

Rather than pushing children through material quickly, it allows concepts to settle naturally. This has been especially meaningful in our homeschool, where learning is meant to feel steady—not stressful.

Why We Buy the Printed Books

Although The Good and The Beautiful offers many free downloads, we personally choose to purchase the printed books.

Here’s why:

Printing at home was time-consuming
Organizing loose pages added mental clutter
Bound books simplified our daily rhythm
Lessons felt more inviting and intentional

For us, the cost of printed books was worth the saved time, reduced stress, and smoother homeschool flow. Opening a beautiful book each day removed friction and made consistency easier.

This is a reminder that frugal homeschooling doesn’t always mean free—it means wise use of resources.

Language Arts: Literature-Rich and Well-Rounded

We currently use The Good and The Beautiful Language Arts, and it has become a cornerstone of our homeschool.

What we appreciate most:

Strong phonics foundation
Integrated grammar and writing
Gentle spelling instruction
Beautiful literature selections
Moral and character development woven naturally into lessons

Instead of separating reading, grammar, and writing into multiple programs, everything is thoughtfully combined into one cohesive flow.

Math: Clear, Visual, and Approachable

We also use The Good and The Beautiful Math, which has been a good fit for our current season.

The math program is:

Visually engaging
Incremental and well-explained
Strong for conceptual understanding
Less worksheet-heavy than traditional programs

For children who need clarity and encouragement, this approach can build confidence and reduce math anxiety.

A Faith-Friendly, Family-Safe Option

Another reason The Good and The Beautiful aligns with Homegrown Revival values is its emphasis on:

Wholesome content
Positive character traits
Family-friendly illustrations and language

While it isn’t heavily doctrinal, it supports a worldview that values goodness, beauty, kindness, and truth—things we care deeply about cultivating in our home.

The Cons (and Why They Haven’t Been Deal-Breakers)

No curriculum works perfectly for every child, and it’s important to be honest about limitations.

Math May Not Be Challenging Enough for Advanced Learners

For children who are very advanced or math-driven, The Good and The Beautiful math may feel:

Too gentle
Less rigorous than some alternatives

Families with highly math-inclined students might prefer a program like Beast Academy, which offers more challenge and problem-solving depth.

That said, The Good and The Beautiful works well as a solid foundation, and many families supplement when needed.

Curriculum Is a Tool, Not a Measure of Success

What I’ve learned through homeschooling is this:

Curriculum supports learning—but it doesn’t define it.

The Good and The Beautiful has given us:

Structure without rigidity
Beauty without distraction
Consistency without pressure

And that balance has mattered more than perfection.

Final Thoughts

We chose The Good and The Beautiful because it fit our family, our rhythm, and our values. Purchasing the printed books simplified our days, and using it for language arts and math gave us a dependable core we could build around.

If you’re looking for a curriculum that feels peaceful, thoughtful, and supportive—especially in the early and middle years—it may be a wonderful fit for your home, too.

And if it isn’t? That’s okay. Homeschooling allows you to adjust, adapt, and grow right alongside your children.

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