As our kids moved into middle and high school, we found ourselves in a familiar homeschool struggle: what used to work no longer did. Group learning turned into chaos—one child talking over another, frustration mounting, and little actual learning happening. More importantly, we could see they were ready for more independence. They wanted to explore topics that interested them, in their own way, at their own pace.

Around the same time, I became a biology teacher at a virtual high school that serves homeschoolers. Teaching in that setting confirmed what I had already felt as a parent: older students need curriculum that respects their growing independence, encourages real thinking, and doesn’t rely on constant adult instruction. I also saw firsthand how limited the options were—especially for secular families, or those looking for flexible, student-led learning that wasn’t dry or overly simplistic.

So we built what we couldn’t find: unit studies that are self-guided, rooted in critical thinking, and designed to grow with older students. What started as a solution for our family quickly became something we knew could help others, too.