Online 6th Grade Curriculum & School Options
Choosing an online sixth-grade program can feel overwhelming. Some programs operate as accredited online schools, while others provide independent homeschool curriculum for parents to use at home.
The options below can help families compare different approaches and find a program that fits their learner, schedule, educational preferences, and homeschool goals.
Accredited Programs and Illinois Public School Transfer
Some homeschool families choose an accredited online or correspondence school because the school maintains formal academic records and its accreditation may make future transfers into a public or private school easier.
Illinois public schools may accept coursework, grade placement, and academic records completed through an accredited nonpublic school. However, the receiving public school has the authority to evaluate an incoming student and determine appropriate placement or credit acceptance.
Families who may later transfer back to an Illinois public school should contact their local school district before enrolling in a program to ask which accreditations and transfer records the district recognizes.
Accredited Online Sixth Grade Schools & Academies
Abeka Academy
Type: Accredited Christian online academy
Format: Teacher-led video instruction, textbooks, workbooks, assignments, and assessments
Abeka Academy offers a complete sixth-grade program through its accredited enrollment option.
The curriculum typically includes:
Arithmetic • Language • Literature/Reading • Spelling • Science • History • Geography • Health • Bible
Abeka Academy offers accredited full-grade enrollment from K5 through Grade 12 and maintains student records and report cards for enrolled students.
Abeka Academy is accredited by MSA-CESS and FACCS.
Website Button: Visit Abeka Academy →
Acellus Academy
Type: Accredited online private school
Format: Self-paced video lessons, interactive coursework, assignments, and assessments
Acellus Academy offers a dedicated sixth-grade middle-school program.
Core courses include:
Grade 6 Mathematics • Language Arts • Science • History/Social Studies
Students can also choose courses in foreign languages, health, physical education, fine arts, STEM, and other electives.
The program is self-paced with year-round enrollment. Acellus Academy is fully accredited by ACS-WASC.
Website Button: Visit Acellus Academy →
Pearson Online Academy
Type: Accredited private online school
Format: Teacher-supported online instruction with independent and interactive coursework
Pearson Online Academy offers a full-time K–12 private-school program, including middle school.
Sixth-grade students can study core areas such as:
English • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies
Students also have access to electives and more advanced course options as they progress through middle school.
Pearson Online Academy is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and multiple accrediting divisions of Cognia.
Website Button: Visit Pearson Online Academy →
Laurel Springs School
Type: Accredited private online school
Format: Flexible, self-paced online coursework with teacher support
Sixth grade begins Laurel Springs' middle-school program.
Students have access to courses in areas including:
English • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies • World Languages • Electives
Laurel Springs also offers The Academy for students in Grades 6–12 who want a more collaborative program with optional weekly live workshops and additional academic opportunities.
Laurel Springs is accredited by WASC and Cognia.
Website Button: Visit Laurel Springs School →
Forest Trail Academy
Type: Accredited online private school
Format: Fully online, self-paced coursework with teacher support
Forest Trail Academy offers an accredited online middle-school program for Grades 6–8.
Core areas include:
English Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies
The program is designed to help students develop independent learning, time-management, reading, writing, mathematics, science, and critical-thinking skills.
Forest Trail Academy lists accreditation through organizations including Cognia, MSA-CESS, Accreditation International, and NCPSA. It specifically serves Illinois families as well as students throughout the United States.
Website Button: Visit Forest Trail Academy →
Liberty University Online Academy
Type: Accredited Christian online school
Format: Fully online, teacher-supported coursework
Liberty University Online Academy offers a complete sixth-grade program as part of its Grades 6–8 middle school.
Sixth-grade courses include:
Bible • History & Geography • Language Arts • Mathematics • Science
Students work increasingly independently while continuing to receive teacher and academic support.
LUOA is accredited by ACSI and Cognia and is recognized by the Virginia Council for Private Education as an accredited K–12 private school.
Website Button: Visit Liberty University Online Academy →
Bridgeway Academy
Type: Accredited personalized homeschool academy
Format: Self-paced online, live online, textbook, or blended instruction
Bridgeway offers customizable accredited middle-school programs rather than requiring every sixth grader to follow exactly the same curriculum.
Families may choose among:
Self-Paced Online Courses • Live Online Classes • Textbooks • Blended Programs
Bridgeway's middle-school program includes personalized curriculum planning, advising, grading support, and school-maintained academic records.
Its current Academy Select, Academy Premium, and Academy Nobilis enrollment options include accreditation.
Website Button: Visit Bridgeway Academy →
NFC Academy
Type: Accredited Christian online academy
Format: Online coursework with academy-teacher or parent-teacher options
NFC Academy offers sixth-grade online courses in:
Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • History & Geography • Bible
Families have two accredited sixth-grade options:
HomeSchool Advantage: NFC Academy teachers oversee the program.
HomeSchool Edition: The parent serves as the primary teacher with an NFC Academy resource teacher.
NFC lists accreditation through Cognia-SACS, Middle States, and FACCS.
Website Button: Visit NFC Academy →
Enlightium Academy
Type: Accredited Christian online private school
Format: Online coursework with teacher grading and academic support
Enlightium Academy offers a dedicated sixth-grade middle-school curriculum.
Core courses include:
Bible • English • History • Mathematics • Science
Sixth-grade students can use Enlightium's standard Online Program or other eligible school-program options depending on the level of structure and teacher support desired.
The program emphasizes independent learning and critical thinking while teaching from a Christian perspective.
Website Button: Visit Enlightium Academy →
Brightspire Virtual School
Type: Accredited online virtual school
Format: Online courses with certified teachers, tutoring, mentoring, assessments, and projects
Brightspire is the accredited virtual-school option now offered alongside Time4Learning's independent homeschool curriculum.
Its sixth-grade program covers areas such as:
English Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies • Electives
Students receive certified-teacher instruction, personalized feedback, tutoring, and mentoring.
Brightspire currently identifies its virtual-school program as Cognia accredited.
This distinction is important:
Brightspire Virtual School = Accredited School
Time4Learning = Independent Curriculum
Website Button: Visit Brightspire Virtual School →
K12-Powered Online Schools
Type: Accredited online public and private-school options
Format: Teacher-led online classes, independent coursework, and offline activities
K12 offers online sixth-grade schooling with core courses in:
English Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies
Electives may include subjects such as:
World Languages • Art • Music • Health • Physical Education
K12 describes its sixth-grade option as an accredited school program taught by state-certified teachers. Specific courses, enrollment requirements, and school availability depend on the K12-powered school selected.
Illinois families can currently find K12-powered private online middle-school options.
Website Button: Find a K12-Powered School →
Connections Academy
Type: Accredited online public-school network
Format: Teacher-led virtual public education
Connections Academy operates tuition-free online public schools for K–12 students in participating states.
Middle-school students receive teacher-led instruction through the Pearson Online Classroom, with courses aligned to the requirements of the student's state.
Connections Education is accredited by Cognia, while individual Connections Academy-supported schools may hold additional accreditation.
Illinois Note
Connections Academy does not currently operate an Illinois online public school. Its Illinois program remains listed as “In the Works.” Illinois families are currently directed to Pearson Online Academy as a private-school alternative.
Website Button: Visit Connections Academy →
Special Accreditation Category
Miacademy
Type: Online K–8 homeschool curriculum
Format: Self-paced videos, interactive lessons, projects, games, assessments, and printable activities
Miacademy offers a dedicated sixth-grade curriculum.
Recommended sixth-grade coursework includes:
Reading Comprehension Level G • Language Skills Level G • Math Level G • Earth Science • Ancient World History
The curriculum can be customized so students work at different levels in different subjects.
Important Accreditation Distinction
Miacademy is accredited by ACS-WASC as a Supplemental Educational Program (SEP).
That is different from formally enrolling a student in an accredited K–12 private school that provides the child's complete school enrollment and maintains the official academic record.
For the directory, I would continue putting Miacademy in its own Special Accreditation Category.
Website Button: Visit Miacademy →
Independent / Non-Accredited Online Sixth Grade Curricula
Time4Learning
Type: Secular online homeschool curriculum
Format: Self-paced video lessons, interactive instruction, quizzes, printable worksheets, and activities
Time4Learning offers a dedicated sixth-grade middle-school curriculum.
Available courses include:
Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies • Electives
Middle-school families can customize individual subject levels, allowing a student to work at different grade levels when appropriate.
Time4Learning explicitly states that it is not accredited because it is a curriculum provider rather than a school.
Families wanting the company's accredited-school option can instead investigate Brightspire Virtual School.
Website Button: Visit Time4Learning →
Power Homeschool
Type: Independent online homeschool curriculum
Format: Self-paced Acellus video lessons and interactive coursework
Power Homeschool provides independent access to Acellus courses for homeschool families.
Sixth-grade learning includes:
Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • History/Social Studies • Electives
The curriculum includes video instruction, practice activities, reviews, assessments, and adaptive instructional tools.
The distinction is important:
Power Homeschool = Independent Homeschool Curriculum
Acellus Academy = Accredited Online Private School
Website Button: Visit Power Homeschool →
Discovery K12
Type: Free secular online homeschool curriculum
Format: Online lessons, readings, assignments, projects, and activities
Discovery K12 offers a complete sixth-grade curriculum.
Subjects include:
Reading/Literature • Language Arts • Mathematics • History/Social Studies • Science • Visual/Performing Arts • Physical Education
Sixth-grade mathematics includes ratios, percentages, positive and negative numbers, expressions, equations, coordinate planes, geometry, and statistics. Social studies includes ancient civilizations, while science includes Earth science, energy, ecology, and scientific investigation.
Discovery K12 functions as curriculum for independent homeschool families rather than an accredited school enrollment.
Website Button: Visit Discovery K12 →
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
Type: Free Christian homeschool curriculum
Format: Online lessons, readings, assignments, videos, printables, and optional workbooks
Easy Peasy provides a complete homeschool curriculum through middle school and beyond.
Families can choose appropriate levels in:
Reading • Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • History • Bible • Art • Music • PE/Health • Computer Skills
Easy Peasy allows parents to select a student's level and theme and then adjust individual courses according to placement.
Easy Peasy explicitly states that it is a curriculum rather than a school and is not accredited. Parents maintain the student's academic records.
Website Button: Visit Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool →
BJU Press Homeschool Online
Type: Christian online homeschool curriculum
Format: Streaming teacher-led video lessons with digital resources and optional printed textbooks
BJU Press offers a complete Grade 6 Online program.
Courses include:
Heritage Studies • English • Spelling • Literature • Mathematics • Science • Handwriting
The full program contains approximately 180 days of instruction in most core subjects, and families can choose Online with Books or Online Only options.
Purchasing BJU Press video courses independently does not by itself enroll the student in an accredited school.
Website Button: Visit BJU Press Homeschool →
Abeka Independent Study
Type: Christian independent homeschool program
Format: Video instruction, textbooks, workbooks, assignments, and parent-managed grading
Abeka Academy provides both:
Accredited Program
and
Independent Study — Unaccredited Program
Families using Independent Study can use Abeka's sixth-grade curriculum without enrolling their child in the accredited Abeka Academy program.
Parents using the independent option remain responsible for homeschool administration and academic records.
Website Button: Visit Abeka →
Ember
Type: Christian online curriculum-only program
Format: Self-paced online courses
Ember provides access to Liberty's curriculum without enrolling the student in Liberty University Online Academy.
Sixth-grade Ember courses include:
Bible • History & Geography • Language Arts • Mathematics • Science.
The distinction is:
Liberty University Online Academy = Accredited School Enrollment
Ember = Curriculum Only
Families using Ember independently remain responsible for operating and documenting their homeschool.
Website Button: Visit Ember →
NFC Academy Homeschool Basics
Type: Non-accredited Christian online homeschool program
Format: Online curriculum with the parent serving as the primary teacher
NFC Academy also offers Homeschool Basics for sixth-grade students.
Students can use the same general sixth-grade online coursework in:
Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • History & Geography • Bible
However, the parent manages the instruction and grading without an NFC Academy resource teacher.
NFC explicitly identifies Homeschool Basics as non-accredited, while its HomeSchool Advantage and HomeSchool Edition programs are accredited.
Website Button: Visit NFC Academy Homeschool Basics →
Paper-Based 6th Grade Curriculum & School Options
Not every family wants 6th grade to happen on a screen. Many homeschool programs use printed books, workbooks, teacher guides, manipulatives, literature, crafts, and hands-on activities as the primary method of instruction.
Accredited Paper-Based & Print-Heavy Sixth Grade Programs
Seton Home Study School
Seton offers a complete sixth-grade homeschool program using textbooks, workbooks, printed lesson plans, tests, and literature. Subjects include math, English, science, history, reading, spelling, vocabulary, religion, and more.
Type: Accredited homeschool school
Format: Primarily print-based
Approach: Catholic, traditional
Website: setonhome.org
Oak Meadow School
Oak Meadow offers a secular sixth-grade curriculum built around printed coursebooks, literature, writing, projects, and hands-on learning. Families may purchase the curriculum independently or enroll through Oak Meadow School for teacher support and accredited enrollment.
Type: Accredited enrollment available
Format: Print-based with hands-on activities
Approach: Secular
Website: oakmeadow.com
Mother of Divine Grace School
Mother of Divine Grace provides a classical homeschool education using books, syllabi, lesson plans, written assignments, and parent-directed instruction. Enrolled families also receive educational support and guidance.
Type: Accredited homeschool school
Format: Primarily print-based
Approach: Catholic, classical
Website: modg.org
Kolbe Academy
Kolbe Academy offers traditional homeschool courses using textbooks, literature, printed course plans, and written assignments. Families can choose traditional home study rather than online classes.
Type: Accredited homeschool school
Format: Print-based options available
Approach: Catholic, classical
Website: kolbe.org
Our Lady of the Rosary School
Our Lady of the Rosary School provides a traditional correspondence-style homeschool program using physical textbooks, written assignments, and mailed coursework.
Type: Accredited homeschool program
Format: Primarily print-based
Approach: Catholic, traditional
Website: olrs.com
Abeka Academy
Abeka Academy combines traditional textbooks and workbooks with video instruction. Families seeking an accredited program can enroll through Abeka Academy.
Type: Accredited homeschool academy
Format: Books and video instruction
Approach: Christian, traditional
Website: abeka.com
Independent and Non-Accredited Curriculum Options
The following companies provide curriculum materials that families can purchase and teach independently. Purchasing these materials does not enroll a student in an accredited school.
Abeka Parent-Led
Abeka offers a complete sixth-grade parent-led curriculum using textbooks, workbooks, teacher manuals, quizzes, and tests.
Format: Primarily print-based
Approach: Christian, traditional
Website: abeka.com
BJU Press Homeschool
BJU Press offers textbook-based sixth-grade curriculum covering subjects such as math, English, science, reading, spelling, and social studies. Families may purchase textbook materials without using the company's video instruction.
Format: Textbooks and worktexts
Approach: Christian, traditional
Website: bjupresshomeschool.com
Christian Light Education
Christian Light is one of the most workbook-focused homeschool options. Students work through individual LightUnit workbooks in subjects such as math, language arts, reading, science, and social studies.
Format: Strongly workbook-based
Approach: Christian
Website: christianlight.org
Master Books
Master Books offers sixth-grade courses using printed textbooks, student worksheets, schedules, quizzes, and teacher guides.
Format: Primarily print-based
Approach: Christian
Website: masterbooks.com
Memoria Press
Memoria Press offers a structured classical curriculum using textbooks, literature, student guides, workbooks, and detailed lesson plans.
Format: Primarily print-based
Approach: Christian, classical
Website: memoriapress.com
Sonlight
Sonlight is a literature-based homeschool curriculum that uses physical books, novels, nonfiction, instructor guides, and student activity sheets.
Format: Book and literature based
Approach: Christian
Website: sonlight.com
BookShark
BookShark provides a secular literature-based homeschool program using books, instructor guides, activity sheets, science materials, and written assignments.
Format: Book and literature based
Approach: Secular
Website: bookshark.com
Timberdoodle
Timberdoodle offers sixth-grade curriculum kits combining books, workbooks, logic activities, STEM materials, and hands-on projects.
Format: Print and hands-on learning
Approach: Secular options available
Website: timberdoodle.com
The Good and the Beautiful
The Good and the Beautiful offers printed and downloadable coursebooks for subjects including language arts, math, science, and handwriting. Placement may not always correspond directly with traditional grade levels, so families should review placement guidance before purchasing.
Format: Printed coursebooks and downloadable materials
Approach: Christian
Website: goodandbeautiful.com
Build Your Library
Build Your Library is a secular literature-based curriculum that uses novels, nonfiction books, notebooking, writing assignments, history, and other printed resources.
Format: Literature and written work
Approach: Secular
Website: buildyourlibrary.com
Beyond the Page
Beyond the Page combines literature, written activity pages, science, social studies, language arts, research, and hands-on projects. Programs are organized by age range rather than strictly by grade.
Format: Print, literature, and hands-on activities
Approach: Secular
Website: beyondthepage.com
A Note About Accreditation
It is important to distinguish between an accredited school enrollment and independently purchased curriculum.
For example:
Oak Meadow School enrollment = Accredited
Oak Meadow curriculum purchased independently = Independent curriculum
Oak Meadow specifically explains that accreditation applies to its school rather than the curriculum materials themselves.
Similarly:
BJU Academy of Home Education accredited enrollment = Accredited
BJU Press textbooks purchased independently = Independent curriculum
BJU also explains that curriculum materials themselves are not accredited; accreditation applies to the school or program providing academic oversight.
Families should check the current accreditation status of any school or program directly with the provider before enrolling.
Choosing a Paper-Based Sixth Grade Curriculum
Families may want to compare:
Accredited or Independent • Secular or Faith-Based • Traditional Textbooks • Literature-Based Learning • Unit Studies • Parent Teaching Time • Student Independence • Writing Instruction • Grammar & Vocabulary • Pre-Algebra Readiness • Fractions, Decimals & Percents • Science Labs & Experiments • History & Geography • Research Projects • Note-Taking & Study Skills • Art & Electives • Testing • Recordkeeping • Screen Use • Cost
Sixth grade often marks the beginning of the middle school years, making it a good time to consider both academic placement and growing student independence.
Families do not necessarily need to use Grade 6 materials for every subject. A student may be working above or below sixth-grade level in mathematics, reading, writing, science, or another area. Placement tests and curriculum-specific recommendations can help families choose materials based on the student's actual skill level rather than grade number alone.
Sixth grade is also a useful time to begin strengthening organization, note-taking, longer writing assignments, research skills, independent reading, multi-step math, and responsibility for completing assignments in preparation for more advanced middle school work.
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A Note for Parents
This is a guide, not a test.
Children develop at different rates. A child may be advanced in one area while still developing skills in another. Use this resource to guide instruction and observe growth rather than as a pass-or-fail assessment.
Illinois Learning Standards establish expectations for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level, but the standards themselves are not intended to prescribe one particular curriculum or teaching method.