PA

High regulation

Best secular homeschool curriculum for 6th grade in Pennsylvania

Secular homeschool families usually need two filters at once: “Is this academically and philosophically secular?” and “Does it help me meet Pennsylvania's homeschool expectations?” This page gives a clean decision framework without pushing unapproved affiliate products.

Plain-English note: this is a parent guide, not legal advice. Use the official source links at the bottom of the page before a deadline or filing decision.

Secular 6th grade curriculum filters

  1. 1Start with 6th grade math and language arts before buying a full bundle.
  2. 2Match the program to your child’s current level, not just the grade label.
  3. 3Confirm the publisher is truly secular if that matters to your family, especially in science and history.
  4. 4Make sure your plan can cover Pennsylvania's required subjects: English, including spelling, reading, and writing, Arithmetic and mathematics, Science, Geography, History of the United States and Pennsylvania, Civics, Safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in fire safety, Health and physiology, Physical education, Music, Art, Literature, Foreign language in the elementary grades.
  5. 5Keep a curriculum list and samples in case your Pennsylvania records ever need review.
  6. 6Avoid overbuying in the first month; routines matter more than a perfect cart.

Science and history check

Look closely at science, history, and literature samples. Some programs are fully secular, some are neutral, and some are faith-integrated even if the sales page is not obvious.

Pennsylvania required-subject context

English, including spelling, reading, and writing, Arithmetic and mathematics, Science, Geography, History of the United States and Pennsylvania, Civics, Safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in fire safety, Health and physiology, Physical education, Music, Art, Literature, Foreign language in the elementary grades

Curriculum freedom

Moderate. Parents choose curriculum, but they must cover required subjects, meet day or hour minimums, and maintain a portfolio and annual evaluation.

Recordkeeping

Keep a portfolio for each student with a log made at the time of instruction, reading materials used, and samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials. Families also typically keep copies of the affidavit and annual evaluation, and the affidavit process references immunization and health records or lawful exemptions.

Related homeschool guides for Pennsylvania

These internal links connect curriculum, schedule, special-needs, testing, and state-law pages so parents can move from a search question to the legal checklist without starting over.

Free printables

Download the homeschool starter kit

Print these before you start: a state startup checklist, letter-of-intent template, attendance tracker, and high-school transcript template.

View all downloads

These printables are general planning tools, not legal advice. Always verify the current rule on your state page and official source links before filing deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use secular curriculum in Pennsylvania?

Moderate. Parents choose curriculum, but they must cover required subjects, meet day or hour minimums, and maintain a portfolio and annual evaluation.

What should secular 6th grade families document?

Keep the curriculum list, samples, attendance or progress notes, and anything Pennsylvania specifically expects: Keep a portfolio for each student with a log made at the time of instruction, reading materials used, and samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials. Families also typically keep copies of the affidavit and annual evaluation, and the affidavit process references immunization and health records or lawful exemptions.

Are neutral and secular the same thing?

Not always. Neutral may avoid religious content; secular usually means the content is intentionally non-religious, especially in science and history.

Start with the Pennsylvania legal checklist

This guide is useful only if it sits on top of the actual Pennsylvania homeschool requirements. Review the state law hub before buying curriculum, changing schools, or setting deadlines.

Pennsylvania homeschool requirements