Why is Hearth & Story So Affordable?

by Lindsey Sodano

Every so often, I get an email from someone about to purchase one of the Hearth & Story complete grade levels asking if they’ve accidentally clicked the wrong thing. “Wait… this is everything? For that price?” Yes! You really do get novel studies, short stories, poetry, flashcards, spelling, writing, grammar, and Brain Food for about what you might spend on Friday night pizza delivery. I know how rare it is to find a truly complete, high-quality language arts program that’s also affordable. It’s a bit like spotting a unicorn in the homeschool world. That’s exactly why I’ve priced Hearth & Story the way I have. 

You might wonder why I would set such a low price for a complete, rigorous, secular, and beautifully crafted program. The inspiration comes from an unlikely place: my son’s alma mater, Arizona State University (ASU).

ASU has pioneered a game-changing initiative called Universal Learner. Students anywhere in the world can take rigorous online college courses for a very low cost, and if they pass, they can choose to pay extra for college credit. It’s accessible, smart, and designed to open doors for as many learners as possible.

When I first learned about ASU’s program, I was struck by its accessibility and value. If a major state university like ASU can offer its courses at such an affordable price, why couldn’t I do the same for my homeschool community? That’s been my guiding philosophy ever since: to make something beautiful, rigorous, and complete… and make it so families can actually afford it.

Homeschooling should not be a financial burden. My goal is to make sure that as many families as possible can experience the joy of a comprehensive, visually appealing language arts education without breaking the bank. I believe that every child deserves access to high-quality learning materials, regardless of their family's financial situation.

Hearth & Story is more than just affordable; it's designed with the flexibility, depth, and visual appeal that homeschooling families need. It provides a robust foundation in literary analysis, writing, and critical thinking, encouraging students to explore and express their ideas creatively and thoughtfully. In other words, I want kids thinking deeply, writing with confidence, and actually enjoying books. I want them to curl up with a story, ask big questions, and feel proud of what they create.

So why so affordable? Because every kid deserves great language arts without parents having to cut other important things from the budget. And because the secular homeschooling world could use a unicorn!