The Ultimate Florida Guide to Free Homeschool Resources
Especially for Florida Families Using PEP, Umbrella Schools, or Traditional Home Education
Homeschooling is growing rapidly across Florida, especially among families using the PEP scholarship (Personalized Education Program), umbrella schools, or traditional home education. One of the biggest surprises for new homeschoolers is that you do not need to spend thousands of dollars to provide a high-quality education.
- Choose one free core curriculum program (for example, Easy Peasy or Khan Academy).
- Add free enrichment resources for reading, science, arts, coding, and nature study.
- Use Florida field trips, libraries, museums, and parks to bring everything to life.
Every resource in this guide is genuinely free or offers a strong free tier as of 2025.
Which Florida Homeschool Option Is Right for You?
Florida offers three main homeschooling pathways. No matter which option you choose, you can use all of the free resources listed in this guide.
1. PEP Scholarship (Personalized Education Program – ESA)
The PEP scholarship provides an Education Savings Account (ESA) funded through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. Eligible students receive funds to pay for approved educational expenses such as curriculum, tutoring, online programs, and more.
Key Facts
- Average award is around $8,000 per year (varies by district and grade level).
- Administered through state-approved Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs) such as Step Up For Students or AAA Scholarship Foundation.
- Families must submit:
- A Student Learning Plan (SLP)
- A yearly norm-referenced test (approved lists vary by SFO)
- A sworn compliance statement
Important Enrollment Note
PEP is a different legal pathway than district home education. When you accept PEP, you cannot also be registered as a home education student with the district. Families must notify the district that they are ending their home education program before PEP funding can be awarded.
Enrollment Caps (Current Law)
- 20,000 students in 2023–24
- 60,000 students in 2024–25
- Increases by 40,000 seats per year
- Caps are scheduled to be removed after the 2027–28 school year
Because spots are limited each year, many families choose to apply as early as possible.
2. Umbrella School (Florida Private School Cover)
An umbrella school is a private school that allows students to learn primarily at home while the school maintains official records. These schools operate under Florida’s private school statute and provide a legal covering for homeschool-style learning.
What Umbrella Schools Typically Handle
- Attendance tracking
- School year dates and basic record-keeping
- Some compliance documentation
Parents choose the curriculum and oversee day-to-day learning. Umbrella schools are popular with families who prefer less district paperwork or who do not wish to participate in PEP but still want flexibility.
3. Traditional Home Education (Florida Statute 1002.41)
Under Florida’s home education statute, families register directly with their local school district and maintain full control over curriculum and teaching methods.
Basic Requirements
- Submit a notice of intent to establish a home education program.
- Maintain a portfolio of records and materials.
- Complete an annual evaluation (such as a portfolio review or standardized test) by an approved evaluator.
There is no state funding for traditional home education, but families have maximum freedom and can use any combination of free resources, textbooks, and Florida field trips.
Free Full Homeschool Curriculum Programs
These programs provide a strong foundation in multiple core subjects and can function as a main curriculum, especially when combined with Florida-specific experiences and field trips.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool (Christian)
Completely free PreK–12 curriculum with 180-day lesson plans that rely on online resources. Covers reading, language arts, math, history, science, and more.
https://allinonehomeschool.comKhan Academy (Secular)
Nonprofit platform offering mastery-based courses in math, science, history, economics, and more. Includes video lessons and practice problems.
https://www.khanacademy.orgDiscovery K12 (Secular)
Daily online assignments for grades K–12 in core subjects. The main student account is free, with optional paid parent tools and reports.
https://discoveryk12.comCK-12 Foundation
Free digital FlexBooks, simulations, and practice tools, especially strong in math and science. Suitable for a wide range of grade levels.
https://ck12.orgAmbleside Online (Charlotte Mason)
A free literature-rich curriculum inspired by the Charlotte Mason philosophy, featuring living books, narration, poetry, and nature study.
https://amblesideonline.orgBig History Project
Integrated history and science course for middle and high school students, tracing the story of the universe from the Big Bang to today.
https://bighistoryproject.comCore Knowledge / CKLA
Free curriculum units in language arts, history, geography, and science for PreK–8, with downloadable teacher guides and student readers.
https://coreknowledge.org/curriculumFree Math Resources for Homeschoolers
Use these to supplement your main program, provide extra practice, or build a full math pathway at no cost.
Illustrative Mathematics (Open Up Resources)
Problem-based curriculum for grades 6–8 and Algebra 1, with tasks that build conceptual understanding and reasoning skills.
https://access.openupresources.orgNRICH
Enrichment problems and puzzles from the University of Cambridge that encourage deep thinking and mathematical reasoning.
https://nrich.maths.orgMath Is Fun
Clear explanations, interactive visuals, and games covering concepts from basic arithmetic to algebra and geometry.
https://mathsisfun.comCoolmath4Kids
Colorful games and explanations designed to build confidence with elementary math skills.
https://www.coolmath4kids.comFree Reading & Language Arts Resources
Combine these tools to support reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing without purchasing a full language arts curriculum.
The Good and the Beautiful – Free Language Arts PDFs
Several lower-level Language Arts courses are free to download, covering reading, grammar, spelling, and writing.
https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/freeReadWorks
Reading passages and question sets for grades K–12, searchable by grade level, topic, and skill focus.
https://readworks.orgCommonLit
Short stories, articles, poetry, and more for grades 3–12 with built-in comprehension questions and discussion prompts.
https://commonlit.orgStoryline Online
Children’s books read aloud by actors, perfect for listening comprehension and reluctant readers.
https://storylineonline.netLibby App
Borrow e-books and audiobooks for free using your Florida public library card.
https://libbyapp.comFree Science & STEM Resources
Bring science to life at home with experiments, simulations, and real-world investigations that fit easily into your homeschool routine.
NASA STEM
Free space science lessons, videos, and hands-on activities for a wide range of grade levels.
https://www.nasa.gov/stemMystery Science
Open-and-go video lessons with hands-on activities. New users currently receive a free trial of the full curriculum through June 30, 2026.
https://mysteryscience.comPhET Interactive Simulations
Interactive simulations that help students explore physics, chemistry, math, and more by adjusting variables in a visual environment.
https://phet.colorado.eduHHMI BioInteractive
Animations, videos, and virtual labs focused on biology topics for middle and high school students.
https://biointeractive.orgFree Nature & Outdoor Learning
Florida’s parks, beaches, springs, and wildlife make outdoor learning incredibly rich. These resources pair well with field trips and nature walks.
Project Learning Tree
Environmental education activities focused on forests, ecosystems, and sustainability. Great for family nature days or co-ops.
https://plt.orgJohn Muir Laws – Nature Journaling
Free videos and guides that teach nature journaling and careful observation of plants, animals, and habitats.
https://johnmuirlaws.comNational Park Service – Junior Ranger
Downloadable activity books and badge programs that help kids learn about history, wildlife, and conservation.
https://www.nps.gov/kidsCornell Lab – Bird Academy Kids
Lessons and videos about birds, ideal for backyard birding or nature walks in Florida.
https://academy.allaboutbirds.orgFree Arts & Music Homeschool Resources
Let kids explore art, music, and creativity without expensive classes or subscriptions.
Chrome Music Lab
Interactive experiments that help children explore rhythm, melody, harmony, and sound.
https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.comArt for Kids Hub
Step-by-step drawing tutorials that are easy to follow and fun for a wide age range.
https://artforkidshub.comMetKids (The MET Museum)
Interactive activities and videos inspired by real pieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/metkidsHoffman Academy (Free Tier)
Structured beginner piano lessons through video instruction, with optional paid add-ons.
https://hoffmanacademy.comMusic Theory for Musicians & Normal People
Free PDFs that explain music theory in simple, visual ways. Great for teens and parents learning alongside their kids.
https://tobyrush.com/theorypagesFree History, Geography & Culture Resources
Explore world cultures, geography, and historical events from home using trustworthy, kid-friendly resources.
National Geographic Kids
Articles, videos, games, and fact pages about animals, ecosystems, and cultures around the world.
https://kids.nationalgeographic.comSmithsonian Learning Lab
Search millions of digital artifacts and build your own collections and lessons using Smithsonian resources.
https://learninglab.si.eduDucksters
Kid-friendly encyclopedia-style articles about history, geography, biographies, and science.
https://ducksters.comBBC Bitesize
Short, structured lessons and videos across multiple subjects, including history and geography.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesizeLibrary of Congress – Teacher Resources
Curated sets of primary sources such as photographs, letters, maps, and documents for hands-on history study.
https://loc.gov/teachersFree Coding & Technology Resources
Introduce kids to programming, problem-solving, and digital skills using these free tools.
Code.org
Structured computer science courses for K–12, from block-based activities to text-based programming.
https://code.orgScratch (MIT)
Block-based coding platform where kids create animations, stories, and games.
https://scratch.mit.eduGoogle CS First
Free themed units that use Scratch to teach coding through creative projects.
https://csfirst.withgoogle.comTynker – Hour of Code
A collection of free introductory coding activities perfect for Hour of Code or short units.
https://www.tynker.com/hour-of-codeFree Unit Studies, Printables & Enrichment
Use these resources for themed weeks, unit studies, review days, or to fill gaps without buying extra workbooks.
Teachers Pay Teachers – Free Section
Thousands of free worksheets, mini-units, and resources created by educators.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.comTwinkl – Free Resources
A selected collection of free worksheets, posters, and activity packs.
https://www.twinkl.com/resources/freeScholastic Learn at Home (Archive)
Archived day-by-day lessons that blend videos, readings, and activities.
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathomePBS LearningMedia
Free educational videos, interactive activities, and lesson ideas for all grades.
https://pbslearningmedia.orgThe Kid Should See This
Curated videos about science, engineering, art, nature, and culture.
https://thekidshouldseethis.comMIT OpenCourseWare
Free university-level course materials for advanced teens and parents who love learning.
https://ocw.mit.eduChessKid
Free beginner-friendly chess lessons and puzzles that build logic and strategic thinking, with optional upgrades.
https://www.chesskid.comNearly-Free & Florida-Specific Homeschool Support
Florida Public Library Systems
Florida’s public libraries are one of the most powerful free resources available to homeschool families. Many systems offer:
- Free e-books and audiobooks through apps such as Libby
- Research and homework databases for students
- Story times, STEM clubs, book clubs, and teen programs
- Free or discounted museum and attraction passes (varies by county)
- In some counties, state park passes that can be checked out with your card
Check your county library’s website for program details and participating attractions.
Museums for All
Museums for All is a national program that helps families with SNAP/EBT cards access participating museums, zoos, and science centers at a reduced cost:
- General admission is between free and $5 per person.
- The reduced rate typically applies to up to four people per EBT card.
Many Florida museums choose to participate in this program.
Florida Homeschool Facebook Groups & Curriculum Swaps
Local homeschool Facebook groups provide:
- Free and low-cost curriculum swaps
- Park days, co-ops, and organized field trips
- Support for families using PEP, umbrella schools, or traditional home education
- Recommendations for evaluators, tutors, and local programs
Try searching for phrases like “[Your County] homeschool” or “Florida homeschool” on Facebook.
Unschooling with Household Resources
Many families blend formal curriculum with interest-led learning. Everyday life can be a source of meaningful learning through:
- Cooking, meal planning, and budgeting
- Gardening, nature walks, and Florida wildlife observation
- Building projects, board games, and family read-alouds
- Documentaries, podcasts, and library books
Whether you use PEP, an umbrella school, or traditional home education, these experiences can complement your formal learning plan while you continue to meet Florida’s legal requirements.
Resources by Category
Full Curriculum
Math
Language Arts
Science / STEM
Nature / Outdoor Learning
Arts & Music
History, Geography, Culture
Coding / Technology
Unit Studies & Enrichment
Low-Cost / Florida-Specific
Your local library system’s website
Local Florida homeschool Facebook groups
Important: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements and policies directly with Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation, your local school district, and the official websites of the resources listed. Free offerings and program terms can change over time.