Saxon Math

Saxon Math has remained one of the most widely used homeschool math curricula for decades, inspiring strong opinions from the families who use it. Here's what parents and educators are saying about this traditional, spiral-approach program:

What Parents Appreciate

Saxon's thorough, incremental approach to building math skills has earned praise from many parents who see their children develop strong mathematical foundations:

"It's easy to read and follow directions, extra practice if you need it, explains in detail how to do the lessons... Love Saxon math and will not choose any other program. Thank you Saxon for making my child learn, understand, and love math again!!" Mom of 8th grader who previously disliked math

The daily review that keeps previously learned concepts fresh is frequently mentioned as a strength:

"Saxon Math is a very solid math program... math is constantly reviewed or it will be forgotten. I know that if my children continue with this curriculum they will do very well in math." Homeschool parent

Many homeschooling families appreciate the independence Saxon fosters in older students:

"Each lesson builds on the last. It doesn't jump around... It is well set up for self-teaching." Parent of 4th and 5th graders

"It's very easy for me as the teacher, and the repetition is exactly what my son needs... he remembers everything thanks to all the review!" Parent of elementary student

Parents consistently report impressive academic results with Saxon, including strong performance on standardized tests:

"Saxon is my favorite math curriculum. I love its spiral approach that keeps old material fresh... I love how rigorous and straightforward it is." Engineering mom and tutor

Educators who have implemented Saxon in school settings often see significant improvements in student performance:

"Students are performing at much higher levels, and they're much more interested in mathematics. And teachers are happier, now that Saxon provides a precise amount of content to cover." School administrator

Common Challenges

Despite its effectiveness, Saxon's structured approach isn't a perfect fit for every student. Parents frequently mention these limitations:

The program's straightforward, no-frills approach can feel monotonous to some students:

"Very dry, very boring, very everything I hated about math as a kid." Homeschool mom

The daily workload in Saxon can be substantial, particularly for students who work slowly:

"I really love Saxon Math but my children, however, despise it... after [3rd grade], it became very frustrating for them. We would spend 3-4 hours on math alone. Every day was moans and groans." Homeschool mother of six

Some parents find that while Saxon excels at teaching procedures, it lacks deeper conceptual explanations:

"Saxon doesn't provide much of a conceptual framework for students who want to know WHY the math is the way it is. (Saxon uses a 'procedural approach' rather than a 'conceptual approach.') But again, I feel I can provide the conceptual framework." Engineering homeschool mom

At the highest levels, some students and parents note that Saxon sometimes skips steps in explanations:

"I love Saxon, and my daughters have understood math and tested very high... until we came upon their Advanced Mathematics curriculum. I want to warn parents that something has gone wrong with this amazing series... they skip 'simple' steps that they take for granted..." Long-time Saxon user

Mixed Student Reactions

Student responses to Saxon vary widely. While some thrive on its structured approach, others find it tedious:

"My oldest loves Saxon math... Liking math at home is a success all by itself in my book!" Homeschool parent

The perspective of older students who used Saxon can be particularly enlightening:

"I am myself a student in the eighth grade using Saxon. I will simply put it this way: Saxon Math helped a whole lot... but seriously STOP SKIPPING the steps because it gets frustrating." 8th grade student

Some homeschool graduates have gone on to successful STEM careers after using Saxon, while others were less enthusiastic about their experience. One homeschool graduate reportedly "lit her Saxon books on fire" after completing them, while another credited Saxon as "the springboard that started her on that path" to an engineering scholarship.

Who Thrives With Saxon Math?

Based on parent and educator feedback, Saxon Math works particularly well for:

• Students who benefit from consistent routine and incremental progress
• Learners who need extensive practice to master concepts
• Families seeking a thorough, time-tested curriculum with proven results
• Parents who want a structured program that ensures complete coverage
• Independent, disciplined students (especially in middle and high school)
• Families preparing students for standardized tests or college entrance exams

Alternative approaches might be better for:

• Highly creative or visual learners who need engaging, colorful materials
• Students who require understanding "why" before learning procedures
• Families with very limited time for daily math practice
• Highly gifted math students who might find the repetition unnecessary
• Learners who thrive on discovery-based or project-oriented approaches

The Bottom Line

Saxon Math inspires both devotion and frustration among homeschooling families. Its methodical, incremental approach produces strong results for many students, particularly those who respond well to structure and consistent practice. The daily spiral review ensures that concepts are continuously reinforced until mastery is achieved.

However, the program demands commitment—both in terms of daily time investment and perseverance through a sometimes monotonous routine. Many successful Saxon families adapt the program to their needs, perhaps reducing the number of daily problems or supplementing with more engaging activities.

As one parent succinctly summarized: "We have been using Saxon Math for many years now. It gets the job done... Examples are clear and there is lots of practice. No fluff." For families seeking solid math foundations and willing to commit to Saxon's systematic approach, the academic results often justify the effort.