By: Annerine Wenhold, Kairos Academy SA
Date: 2 September 2025
Executive Summary
Some of our families prefer using an online homeschool platform for some or all of their courses. Our homeschooling community is entering an exciting period of opportunity. With the recent changes to Power Homeschool pricing, families are exploring new ways to provide a high-quality, American High School Diploma education at a manageable cost.
This report evaluates the leading online homeschool platforms based on cost, course coverage, parent tracking, student integrity, and engagement. The platforms are ranked from best to least favorable, helping you quickly see which options provide the most value, flexibility, and support for your child’s learning journey.
Top recommendations for families:
- HomeLife Learning : Affordable, flexible, with supportive coaching options give parents peace of mind.
- Time4Learning : Well-balanced combination of cost, curriculum breadth, and progress tracking; easy to use and highly reliable.
- Other excellent options, including Monarch by AOP, Highland Prep, and MiAcademy, each offering unique advantages depending on your family’s priorities for flexibility, oversight, or motivation.
No matter which platform you choose, these programs provide families with the tools to empower students and confidently pursue the American High School Diploma.
Disclaimer: This information is valid at the time of writing and may change if any of these institutions modify their offerings.
Introduction
This article provides a clear, practical evaluation of online homeschool platforms available to our South African families pursuing the American High School Diploma.
Many families have relied on Power Homeschool, but following its recent price increases and changes to its offerings, it is a perfect time to explore high-quality alternatives that may better suit your family’s needs.
The table below ranks the platforms from best to least favorable based on the factors our families care about most:
| Criteria | Weight | Why It Matters Now |
| Cost per Student | 30% | Value matters. These platforms offer competitive pricing without compromising quality. |
| Subjects Included | 25% | Platforms with full catalogues or generous bundled courses rank higher |
| Parent Progress Tracking | 20% | Dashboards, grading tools, and progress reports keep parents confidently informed |
| Student Manipulation Risk | 15% | Families want reliable assessments that can’t be gamed to ensure meaningful learning |
| Engagement & Flexibility | 10% | Gamified learning, adaptive pacing, and student motivation make learning enjoyable and effective |
Since our American High School Diploma is widely recognized, families can confidently choose any of these platforms while using Kairos for accreditation and official records. These programs allow you to create a learning experience that fits your child, your family, and your goals.
Recommendations by Family Priorities
Every family has unique needs, and the best homeschool platform depends on what matters most to you: cost, curriculum breadth, parent support, engagement, or flexibility.
Based on YOUR priorities, here are my top recommendations:
For Value & Affordability: Time4Learning
Comprehensive curriculum at an excellent monthly cost; strong parent tracking.
For Flexibility & Faith-Friendly Options: HomeLife Learning
Up to 6 courses included, optional coaching, faith-based options (iTeach+ available).
For Engagement & Motivation: MiaAcademy /Prep
Gamified and interactive, broad course selection, strong parent tools, low manipulation risk.
For Oversight & Structured Support: Highland Prep (curricula only)
Grading specialists, progress monitoring, flexible course selection.
For Familiarity with Existing Tools: Power Homeschool
If your child is already comfortable with the platform, but be aware of the higher cost and some manipulation risk.
By aligning your choice with what your family values most, you can confidently select a platform that supports your child’s learning, keeps you connected, and ensures a strong path toward the American High School Diploma.
Ranked Homeschool Platforms
| Rank | Program | Cost | Subjects Included | Parent Progress Tracking? | Student Manipulation Risk? | Why It Ranks Here |
| 1 | Time4Learning | $29.95–$39.95/month | Includes 4 core subjects (PreK–5); 7 courses (6–12); additional electives $5/month | Yes. Automatic grading, printable grade/attendance reports | Low. Standard pacing, no known loopholes | Best balance of cost, content, and tracking; highly secure |
| 2 | HomeLife Learning | $39/month (iTeach) or $139/month (myAssist) | Up to 6 courses (iTeach); full catalogue (myAssist) | Yes. Parent dashboards (grading or coach tools) | Likely low. Limited reports but structured model | Flexible, low-cost, great dashboards |
| 3 | Monarch by AOP | $43.95/month full or $10.95/course | Full catalogue (100+ courses) | Yes. Detailed reporting and auto-graded quizzes/tests | Low. Structured system | Excellent course breadth, Christian worldview, strong reports |
| 4 | Miacademy / MiaPrep | $42/month (K-8) or $48/month (9-12) | Full core & electives (~80+ courses) | Yes. Built-in gradebook and attendance tracking | Low. Gamified but system secure | Highly motivating / gamified; great subject breadth and tracking |
| 5 | Highland Prep (Curriculum Only) | $180/year + $49/month (PreK–6) or $55/month (7–12) | Core subjects + electives | Yes. Progress monitoring and grading support | Very low; grading specialists oversee progress | Structured oversight, trackable records |
| 6 | Power Homeschool | $99/month (or $79 w/scholarship) | Up to 6 concurrent courses | Yes. Live monitoring, attendance, printable reports | Moderate. Tutor mode manipulation reported | Familiar platform, but costly with some system and manipulation issues |
| 7 | Stride K12 | Free (public school) | Full school curriculum (all required subjects) | Yes. Teacher-led progress, attendance, reporting | Very low. Structured, monitored by teachers | Free accredited schooling with full support |
| 8 | BJU Press Video Courses | ~$929–$1,099/year | Full course per grade (video + materials) | Yes. Via parent portal and record-keeping | Low. Teacher-paced system | Rigorous with structured content, but less flexible and higher price |
| 9 | Abeka Academy | ~$1,200–$1,400/year | Full grade-level instruction including core and electives | Yes. Structured daily lessons, accreditation track | Low | Structured “school-at-home,” excellent phonics, but expensive and rigid |
Kairos Academy SA 
Annerine Wynhold – Kairos Academy.
Thank you very much. This has been very helpful.
My children has been with Impaq for a few years but now that they are older, I find it harder too do the classes on my own.
We are looking for a more online approach (less mother involvement) but with the flexibility of working on our own time since our family setup causes us not too have holidays according to South Africas School terms. It would also be nice for them not to have too worry so much about constant tests and exams.
We learned from Power Homeschool through friends and I really like what they have to offer, ESPECIALLY the function they have for identifying knowledge gaps and extra help to master those problem areas before moving on – something that is becoming a problem on Impaq with my youngest daughter. Unfortunately we also just found out about the price hike.
My problem is that I can not find another American High School Diploma provider/program option for my kids that state that they do have that specific function for my kids, it is a very important consideration on my end. Do you have any info that you could share? My head has been bursting at the seams with research that is for the most part very confusing.
Kind regards, Irma.
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Hello Irma, thank you for the message. Have you tried Time4Learning as an alternative? Or Monarch?
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