Discovery K12 – FREE Online Curriculum (Updated)
Over the years, we have tried out many, MANY different homeschool curriculum and styles. Most are free and some are subscription. We always seem to gravitate back towards the Discovery K12 site, especially during the Summer when we aren’t doing “official” school. I have posted about them before on my own after discovering them, originally on our homeschool blog, but there have been many updates since then and many more to come!
Discovery K12 – FREE Online Curriculum (Updated)
Discovery K12 is a FREE online homeschool curriculum for grades PreK – 12. It can also be used by public school children over the summer for some fun reviewing. Children should really continue reading throughout the summer months so you can easily use the Reading section and log their progress using their online log system. Discovery K12 can be used as a full curriculum or as a supplement. We personally like to use it along side some of our other curriculum.
Student Accounts
Each student has their own account and log in info. Each school day, the kids sign into their accounts and the assignments for the day is right there, or you can choose the day you are on if you are not on the same day from the sidebar menu – there are 180 days total for each grade level. I suggest keeping track of the day you are on because this is one thing DK12 does not track, as far as I can tell. It would make it much easier for us to sign in and continue on with the last day we left off on since we are never on the same day DK12 is, or at least have a way to see where we left off instead of searching through the days. I’m not sure if this is one of the additions coming for the new 2016/2017 school year or not but it would be a great one.
You can view a Sample Student Account!
The subjects offered on Discovery K12 are Reading/Literature, Language Arts, Math, Spelling, Science, History/Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Education.
Extra Curriculum is also provided, including Spanish, HTML Coding, Healthy Living, and Personal Finance* (*Available 2016/2017 school year).
Features:
- New Assignments each Day
- Over 16,000 Lessons
- Weekly Spelling Program
- Quizzes and Tests
- Grading and Reporting
- Classic Literature eBooks
- Fun and Easy-to-Use
- Parent/Teacher Account (optional subscription)
Parent/Teacher Account
The optional subscription for a Parent/Teacher account is the latest addition. For those homeschoolers who need, or want, to keep records of their daily assignments, quizzes, attendance, etc., the Parent/Teacher account keeps track of it all automatically. You can easily add existing student accounts to the Parent/Teacher account and stay up-to-date on their progress and create transcripts, certificates, and diplomas. The regular price for a 1-year subscription to the Parent/Teacher account is $99.
With a regular, free Student account, they can still keep track of their progress but the Parent/Teacher Account keeps all of your students together in one account and is for you only. Before, I would have to sign into each student’s account to click around and find all of their progress for each section. Now, it is much easier for me to have it all in one spot and there are extra tools for me to use!
How We Use Discovery K12
We use Discovery K12 daily alongside another online paid curriculum. On days when we don’t have much time to dedicate to school, we use Discovery K12 only. The nerdlings go through one daily assignment pretty quickly so sometimes we do two daily assignments in a day.
Assignments can be a video to watch and a worksheet to print off for note-taking and research, a set of math problems to work out, Spelling words, coloring pages, and more. I like to keep a dedicated notebook for each child so they can work on any work that needs to be written. DK12 does have printable graph paper and other related printables for specific assignments if you like.
Reading consists of the students choosing an eBook to read and is divided by grade levels. We can choose from any grade so we can find the right book for our reading level. After reading, we can log the title, author, number of pages and number of minutes read in the online logs (underneath the Reading section on the daily assignment page.) We just log the number of pages and titles read since setting a time causes a meltdown in this house.
Discovery K12 has made our homeschooling much easier because it has all of the basic subjects (plus some!) for each day. This way I know they are getting snippets of pretty much most subjects available in a day and I don’t have to have a million books and resources for all 3 nerdlings!
We are finishing up our school year now and so I will be able to print out a Certificate of Completion for each grade level for the kids! This is available in the Parent/Teacher account.
2016 – 2017 School Year
The new 2016-2017 School Year Calendar is available now. The year starts on Tuesday, September 6, 2016, and ends Monday, June 12, 2017. You can choose to start any day that you like by using the Daily Assignments page as I’ve mentioned before.
I’m so glad to hear that it’s working out for you. I’m still contemplating homeschooling Madison next year so will have to look into this but also looking into a few other options as well.
Anything I can do to help you out, please let me know! Some people do not feel like it is enough for a full day of school and supplement with other things. You can’t compare homeschool days to public school days because they are completely different. Whatever works for YOUR family.
The Discovery K12 sound like a great free online curriculum for homeschooling. My kids went to public school and I really didn’t know there was programs like this back than. I like that you can use this program for the kids through the summer months so they don’t fall back. The parent/teacher account that you can purchase is indeed a great opinion. Thanks for sharing the information.
You’re very welcome! I think Discovery K12 is a great free site for any child to use, public or homeschooled.
How do I enroll
I’ve got a few friends that homeschool so I’m going to show this to them. It sounds like a great program.
That’s great! I’m sure they would be interested if they haven’t heard of Discovery K12 yet. Thanks for sharing.
I have just enrolled my son in the program but I can’t ever find a direct number for them I only get a email address and need to get in touch with them about something can you help
This sounds like a wonderful gift to kids and especially to kids who are home-schooled. I know programs that charge and so any freebies are terrific.
Yes! It’s especially great because our learning styles are always changing.
We don’t homeschool but we do use some of the homeschool curriculum during the summer and while we are traveling. I am going to check into this!
Awesome! I remember my mom would buy us workbooks for the summer. My sisters & I loved to play school with them. I’d love to know how Discovery K12 works out for y’all!
Wow, this is great info. I do not home school, but I am always looking to supplement my son’s education, and we have two tutors so this will be a good resource for them!
That’s great! There are many days where I wished we had a tutor..lol. I hope Discovery K12 is a great tool for them.
It’s nice that the curriculum is online. Things are def. easier (not easy, but easier) for home school these days. That is a good thing, it gives you so many more options.
Yes, definitely not easy! I do often wonder how those homeschooled way before I ever did and before the internet managed.
I don’t know much about homeschooling but this sounds like a great resource for those that do.
Discovery K12 is not only a great resource for homeschoolers, it’s also great for public school kids too since they can use it during the summer!
What a great summer resource! I’ll be using this to keep my kids up to speed this summer.
Great! I’d love to hear how it worked out for y’all!
I started homeschooling my daughter two years ago. I am starting to think about using a computer to facilitate learning. I will definitely look into this program for the fall.
I love seeing your homeschool posts, especially the PreK ones because it reminds me of when mine were that little! Our nerdlings are gamers so doing school online was a no-brainer for us. Workbooks/textbooks was ok when they were smaller but it just wasn’t working anymore. I’d love to hear if Discovery K12 works for you guys if you try it out!
This is a good idea for kids! It’s such a great resources. So glad you shared it.
It definitely is! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
My daughter has been asking me to homeschool her but I always feel a little lost about where to start and what to do. I have to look into this over the summer to make up my mind about if it is a good fit for us. It is a great place to start
Debi, there are so many free and inexpensive options out there to start out with. Let me know if you have any questions, I’d love to help!
This looks like an amazing resource! And with 16,000 lessons on there, WOW! Pretty cool!
Definitely cool! Discovery K12 is also adding more great features for the new school year so I’m excited to see what they are.
That isn’t a program I’ve tried but it sounds like it’s got great features. I like that scores are loved automatically so you’re not boggled down with paperwork.
I love that part as well. We already have a lot to have to keep up with so it makes it much easier for me!
After having two kiddos complete K-12 in high school, I am venturing into the realm of homeschooling my last child. I’m excited to give this site a try.
How fun! I’d love to know if DK12 works for you when you do decide. I’m happy to help if you have any questions!
It is a good idea to tKe track of your kids education, whether you home school, public school or online school.
That is so very true, Amanda.
Wow. This sounds like a great free program. Would make homeschooling so easy. Where was this when I was growing up? i used to complain that school was a “waste of my days”. Of course I was four years above grade level and always used the phrase “bored out of my skull”. I would much rather have been reading books on my level than Dick and Jane type stuff!
WOW! Our teen is 15 but is so smart that we have to keep bumping up her grade level. Math is her only problem and is “below average” on that. When she was tested in 2nd grade, she was reading beyond high school level, but wasn’t able to tell them what those big words actually meant, so they said high school. The younger 2 kids are a different story! The great thing about homeschool is that you can cater the lessons to the child, instead of the other way around.
I never tried any homeschooling programs but I never thought that any of them were free. That’s awesome that you can get a well rounded program that doesn’T cost anything.
It is definitely awesome and is a huge help for us!
That looks like an amazing educational resource! STEM is so important and anything that helps kids discover their talents is fantastic.
My son is at a STEM school currently. I have to stay on top of him to get the most that he can out of all the STEM opportunities there.
I think that is great! Both of our girls are into science so we try to provide them with as may STEM opps as well.
With America’s public school system in a decline, more and more parents are turning to homeschooling as a solution. The surprising part? When it comes time to perform, homeschoolers are blowing everyone else of the water.
That is very true. Children learn so much when they are able to get that one-on-one teaching. Not only that, but they are able to pursue their interests and there are many ways to combine them within their lessons.
Wow, you will never run out of lessons with all the lessons Discovery K12 has to offer. This sounds like a great resource for all those who homeschool. Thanks for sharing this!
Hey hun! I found Discovery K12 before I found your post.
I am in the UK & have recently started Home Schooling. But there are no curriculum stuff here, simply what the National Curriculum is for schools but no resources to help you. We dont have to follow a curriculum when homeschooling here but I would like to.
Do you know when the discount for the parent/teacher account ends? I have found DK12 on Facebook but no reply as yet.
Here in the UK schools go back on 2nd September, with my Birthday on 7th, I’m not sure I will have the money for the account before then… I always seem to spend my birthday money on my kids lol.
Welcome to the homeschooling community! I am not exactly sure of the date as to when the sale will be over. I am pretty sure it is when Discovery K12 starts the new school year, which is Sept. 6th. Try contacting them through http://discoveryk12.com/dk12/contact/
I hope you get a definite reply soon!
I can never get logged in. Something is always incorrect. It’s driving me crazy. Do you technical support
Hi Linda… I’ve had that happen before when I first made an account. I just ended up making a new one. This was just a regular free account, not the parent/teacher account though. I would try emailing Discovery K12 if you are having a problem at support@discovery12.com
How does this work for NY people lol like how would I do my quarterly reports and ihip ?
I’m not sure what the homeschooling laws and requirements are in NY. With the Parent Account, you get records of what the child has completed and can print them out for their portfolios. I did a quick search and found this for you. You should be able to add Discovery K12 in each subject that you plan to use. http://www.homeschoolnyc.com/homeschooling-ten-steps/records.html
Is DiscoveryK12 an accredited program?
Also, do you have to complete a certain amount of work during the year? Or could one person finish the year on so-called “Chapter 57” and another student (who’s slower), finish the same grade on so-called “Chapter 20”? If I start it in the middle of the school year as a full curriculum, do I have to start at the beginning, and do I have to reach a certain point to graduate? It’s now between this and K12, but I like some of the stuff on DiscoveryK12 better than K12, specifically that it’s Non-Common Core and that it’s more flexible than K12, since they’re aren’t any (or as strict) deadlines. I have a counseling appointment this afternoon and will be talking to her about it. I’m almost positive that she’ll agree that it will be good for me and support me (as well as help bring it up to my mom), but THESE ARE CRITICAL QUESTIONS in my situation. PLEASE ANSWER ASAP!!
Hi Jennalyn! Discovery K12 is not accredited. It is a work-at-your-own-pace curriculum and you can start on any day that you like. You do not have to finish anything & if you decide that you don’t like it, just switch over to something else. You do not have to talk to any teachers or anything with DK12. It is just simply a website that lists subjects & lessons suggested for each day for each grade level.
I hope this helps with your decision & let me know if you need anything else 🙂
Also, another free site that you may be interested in is https://allinonehomeschool.com/ – but it is a Christian curriculum (not sure how you feel about that)
Is there some type of diploma or anything with DK12? Would I still be able to get into college doing DK12?
Also, is All In One Homeschool accredited?
It is not accredited.
DK12 does not supply diplomas. With the optional Parent/Teacher account upgrade, you can keep transcripts and eventually make you own diploma. Many colleges are more accepting of homeschool diplomas now. For more info on that, check out this article on making or purchasing a diploma: http://www.hslda.org/highschool/diploma.asp
Homeschool Laws by State: https://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp
Also, just to be clear, you do NOT need to upgrade to the parent/teacher account to keep transcripts on your own. DK12 just makes it easier for you.
Could I “go” to any non-accredited online/home school and still be able to make or purchase a diploma? Also, do the credits I’ve already earned transfer over? I’m a Junior right now…
Yes, you can purchase or make a diploma no matter what you use for your homeschool. Your public school credits are combined with your homeschool credits and you can add all of it together on your transcript once you graduate. You can put a note on it that grades 9-10 or 11 were in public and the rest were homeschool.
Make sure you check out the homeschool laws for your state. Each state is different as to how and what you homeschool: https://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp
Homeschooling through High School FAQs: http://www.hslda.org/highschool/faq.asp
Just in case my counselor asks, do you mind me asking what your job is and your position in dealing with this kind of stuff?
I don’t know why it started a new thread, LOL.
Besides a blogger, I am a homeschooling mom going on 11 “official” years 🙂
LOL..no worries!
I found some more info for you in dealing with public & homeschool transcripts: http://letshomeschoolhighschool.com/blog/2013/08/05/homeschool-high-school-transcripts-faq/#.Ui_JM8asiSo#utm_sguid=144887,d7e27091-eae0-026a-1a25-9dc75cb38984
Have any of your kids graduated high school, making or purchasing a homeschool diploma, and then started college? I’m just trying to get information to help show her this is true. Not that I don’t believe you, but just to be on the safe side.
I totally understand! No, our oldest is doing 11th grade work now. We are signed up under an umbrella school and they offer diplomas for purchase through them. You can find out more info about umbrella schools here.
Is this an accredited school?
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