Saxon Math: Homeschool Curriculum, Courses & Placement Test

Saxon Math K-8 homeschool kits include all required resources for a single learner. Softbound books are black and white, and easily accommodate additional students by purchasing multiple copies of test and worksheet consumables.

The Saxon home study kits for higher level math (Algebra 1, 2, and beyond) include hard textbooks complete with homework answer keys, and examinations with accompanying answer keys. Saxon Math student books are non-consumable and hardback with approximately 400 black and white pages. Saxon Math examinations are consumable with additional copies available for purchase.

Unless you were -- and still are -- an absolute whiz in algebra, you will find the Saxon Home Study Kits inadequate from Algebra 1/2 up. You truly need the solutions manuals that document how to acquire the answers.... (I speak from experience! I tried to do without. It was no fun...and I was an algebra whiz in high school.)

Note that it is not by choice that we "force" you to purchase the answer keys and test packets in addition to the solutions manuals in the upper grades. Saxon Publishers will not sell the student text by itself to homeschoolers. You must buy the full home study kit, including answer key nd tests; then Saxon will permit you to purchase the solution manual as well.

"My daughter HATES math. She would rather be tarred and feathered than to sit down and do her math. Yesterday we started her math program withSaxonand the DIVE CD. After two lessons, she was BEGGING me if she could go ahead and do a few more! Unbelievable!" — Liz

Saxon is easy to teach, and from 4th grade up requires little parental involvement. It includes lots of guidance on exactly what to say and do. The early elementary programs include—and require—many manipulative activities. Saxon Publishers does not provide the necessary manipulatives for its early elementary program. Sonlight offers complete kits with the necessary items.

Saxon Math is accomplished in helping students of all math abilities achieve higher scores on standardized tests. In the areas of arithmetic computation and mathematical principles (i.e., the \"distributive principle,\" \"commutative principle,\" etc.) Saxon math is particularly strong in developing competence. From a parent/teacher perspective, this homeschool math program is easy to implement. In fact, from fourth grade up, Saxon Math requires very little parental involvement.

For learners who do not require a drill based approach to math, Saxton math can, at times, be repetitive. For early elementary math, Saxon math is relatively pricey.

1. Saxon's emphasis on drill and repetition allows a student to perform well within a concept; thus, the results on standardized testing are good. But it does not emphasize problem-solving that requires creatively moving from one concept to another or thinking "outside the box" -- precisely the sort of skill necessary to excel in higher mathematics.
   
   As Tonya in VA put it, "Standardized tests tend to test computation more than concepts. To use math in physics, chemistry, and other applications computational skills are not enough. Students must understand the concept behind the computation and be able to apply the concept to a problem they may never have seen in math class. Saxon is weak in concepts."
   
   
2. In comparison to other programs, it may lack on application-oriented problem solving and modern presentation (use of charts, graphs and other effective teaching tools).