Study.com is an online learning platform that offers video lessons for students from 3rd grade to college. It’s great for homeschool families looking for a full curriculum or extra resources.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. Studies show that homeschooled students are accepted to college at rates comparable to or higher than their traditionally schooled peers, and they tend to earn higher GPAs in their first year of college (Journal of College Admission, 2010).
What is Study.com?
Study.com is an online learning platform started in 2002. It has tons of video lessons for students from 3rd grade to college. You’ll find over 88,000 lessons covering major subjects. It also offers quizzes, tests, and homework help. For homeschool families, it can be a full curriculum or an extra resource. It's especially good for high school and college students who want to earn college credit while saving money. So far, students have saved over $475 million compared to regular college tuition.
How college credit works
Study.com features over 220 courses recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) or the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). Students watch video lessons and take quizzes, then pass a final exam with at least a 70% score. The College Saver plan allows for two exams a month, with extra exams costing $70 each. Credits are accepted at over 2,000 colleges, but each school decides if they will take them. Final exams are open-book and can be taken on your home computer. Some upper-level courses require research papers or projects.
Benefits for homeschool families
Study.com is self-paced, so it works for all types of learners. Whether your child needs extra time or is ready to speed up, this platform can fit their needs. The video lessons are short—about 3-8 minutes—so they’re easy to follow. Plus, Study.com grades automatically, which means less work for you. Lesson transcripts help students who prefer reading or have special needs. For high schoolers, the college credit option allows them to earn credit without the hassle of community college. Parents can create custom learning paths and control grading.
Considerations before subscribing
Study.com is ideal for self-motivated learners who prefer video instruction. However, it lacks hands-on activities, so you might want to add experiments or projects. Some writing courses might need extra help too. There’s no free trial, but a 30-day money-back guarantee offers some safety. Always check if the college you want to attend accepts these credits before starting. Study.com isn’t an accredited institution, so it can't provide accredited transcripts. Parents usually create their own homeschool transcripts, which is standard and accepted by colleges.
The bottom line
Study.com is a solid option for homeschool families looking for a video-based curriculum with college credit paths. The automatic grading and tracking make life easier for parents compared to traditional curricula. For motivated high school students, the chance to earn college credit can save a lot of money and help build a strong transcript. This platform works well as a complete solution for families who like video learning or as a strong supplement to other programs. Just remember to confirm credit acceptance with your chosen schools.
