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Overview
The short version
Ask a room of homeschool parents about Saxon and you’ll hear two things, often from the same person: “my kids never forget anything” and “it’s so boring.” Both are true, and that’s the whole story of Saxon in a nutshell.
Saxon is the classic spiral program. Each lesson adds one small new idea, then the practice set mixes in problems from everything learned so far. Nothing gets dropped, and that relentless review is why so many families have used it for decades, all the way from kindergarten to calculus.
The materials
What you actually get
Student textbook
The lessons and all the practice problems. Used for the middle and upper levels, and reusable for siblings.
Tests and worksheets book
Fact practice sheets, recording forms and the regular cumulative tests.
Solutions manual
Worked solutions for every problem. Essential for checking work in the upper levels.
Primary levels (K–3)
Teacher-led, with a scripted teacher’s manual, a consumable workbook and a set of manipulatives.
Levels
Levels and where to start
- 1Math K, 1, 2, 3Gentle, hands-on, parent-led primary levels.
- 2Math 5/4Roughly 4th grade for most kids (5th for some). The first textbook-style level.
- 3Math 6/5, 7/6Upper elementary. Multiplication, division, fractions, decimals.
- 4Math 8/7Middle school and the bridge to pre-algebra.
- 5Algebra 1/2Saxon’s pre-algebra course.
- 6Algebra 1, Algebra 2The core high school algebra courses.
- 7Advanced MathematicsPrecalculus, with trigonometry and more geometry.
- 8CalculusA full calculus course to finish high school.
The numbers like 5/4 mean “for an advanced 4th grader or a typical 5th grader.” Depending on the edition, geometry is either woven into Algebra 1 and 2 or sold as a separate book, so check which edition you’re buying. Always use the placement test.
Day to day
What a lesson looks like
- 01
Warm-up
Fact practice and a little mental math to get going.
- 02
New increment
One small new idea, explained with examples. Usually short.
- 03
Lesson practice
A few problems on just the new idea.
- 04
Mixed practice
Around 25–30 problems mixing everything learned so far. This is where Saxon’s magic (and its length) lives.
- 05
Tests
A cumulative test every few lessons, so you always know what’s stuck and what hasn’t.
Pros and cons
What we love, and what to watch out for
What we love
✓ Kids rarely forget
Old topics come back every single day, so skills stay sharp months later. If your kid forgets quickly, this matters more than anything else.
✓ Small, safe steps
Each lesson only adds a little. Kids who panic at big new ideas often feel calm and capable with Saxon.
✓ It runs all the way through
One consistent program from kindergarten to calculus. No switching publishers in the middle of high school.
✓ Cheap and easy to find used
Saxon has been around forever, so used textbooks and solutions manuals are everywhere.
Heads up
! It can feel dry
Black-and-white pages, very little color or story. Some kids find it a slog after a few months.
! Long problem sets
Thirty problems a day is a lot. Many families assign the odd or even problems only, and that’s perfectly fine.
! The “why” can get lost
Because topics are split into small pieces, some kids learn the steps without seeing the big picture. Ask them to explain.
The verdict
Is Saxon Math right for your family?
A great fit for
- ✓Kids who forget things quickly
- ✓Kids who like routine and predictability
- ✓Families who want one program from K to calculus
- ✓Budget-conscious families buying used
Probably skip it if
- ×Kids who get bored easily or need variety
- ×Kids who want to understand the why before the how
- ×Families who want lots of hands-on or color
Sounds like your kid? Download a free sample and try a lesson together.
See Saxon Math on Amazon ↗Money and tips
Cost, and how to use it well
Saxon is one of the more affordable full programs, especially used. A homeschool kit per level is a mid-range cost, and textbooks last through several siblings. Only the test book is consumable in the upper levels.
Assign half the mixed practice problems if the full set is causing tears. The review still works.
Use the solutions manual from Algebra 1/2 onward, even if you’re confident. It saves hours.
For video help, several companies sell Saxon video lessons. Handy if you don’t want to teach the upper levels.
Do the placement test even if your kid is coming from another Saxon level. Editions differ.
Add one hands-on or puzzle activity a week to keep the joy in.
Try the sample. Watch your kid’s face. That’s the real review.
Other options
Alternatives to Saxon Math
Want to see everything side by side? Our homeschool math curriculum comparison has all 13 programs, a finder and quick picks.
Questions
Saxon Math FAQ
Is Saxon Math good for homeschool?
Yes, for the right kid. Saxon’s daily mixed review makes it excellent for kids who forget quickly and like routine. Kids who get bored easily or need to see the big picture often do better with a mastery program.
What level of Saxon should I start with?
Use Saxon’s placement test rather than your kid’s grade. As a rough guide, Math 5/4 suits many 4th graders, Algebra 1/2 is pre-algebra, and Algebra 1 is usually 8th or 9th grade.
Do you have to do every problem in Saxon?
No. Many families assign only the odd or even problems in the mixed practice. Kids still get the benefit of daily review without the long sessions.
Is Saxon Math spiral or mastery?
Saxon is a spiral, or incremental, program. It introduces small new ideas and reviews all previous topics every day.
Ready to try Saxon Math?
Take the placement test, grab a sample lesson, and give it six to eight weeks before you judge it.
