Why We Switched from Saxon Math to Shormann Math (And What Happened Next)

For years, Saxon Math was a steady and trusted part of our homeschool. It was consistent, thorough, and it worked. But as my oldest moved into the upper grades, something began to shift.

Math lessons that once felt manageable started stretching longer and longer, turning into a daily struggle to fit everything else in. I knew something had to change. But switching from a curriculum that had served us so well felt overwhelming.

Our Experience with Saxon Math and Why We Made a Change

Before we began homeschooling, our son attended a public elementary school that followed a traditional model of teaching. When we made the transition to homeschooling, I chose to continue with the same curriculum the school had been using, just in case we decided that homeschooling was not the right fit for our family.

The school used Saxon Math and taught one grade level ahead, so we continued on that same path at home. Saxon became a natural fit for us, and we have used it consistently ever since.

There is a lot to love about the Saxon Math curriculum. It is not flashy. It simply gets the job done well. One of its greatest strengths is its spiraling approach, which constantly reviews previously learned concepts to reinforce mastery over time.

However, as our oldest approached the end of 6th grade, math began taking significantly longer each day. What had once taken about 1.5 hours was now stretching well beyond 2 hours. We even tried cutting the workload in half by completing fewer problems, but math still dragged on.

This was not due to a lack of effort. This child is very disciplined. The issue was the sheer volume of work. It was becoming overwhelming and starting to take away from the rest of our homeschool day.

A few years earlier, we had started using Nicole the Math Lady to help lighten my teaching load. That support was helpful, but even with it, I realized something needed to change.

As I began planning for 7th grade, I saw that my son was finishing Saxon 8/7 with Pre-Algebra and was ready for Algebra 1. I initially purchased the Saxon Algebra 1 textbooks, but after looking through them, I noticed the daily workload looked very similar to what we were already experiencing.

At that point, I knew we needed to explore other options. I began researching different homeschool math curricula, hoping to find something that would maintain a strong foundation like Saxon but with a more manageable daily structure.

Discovering Shormann Math

During my search, I came across Shormann Math, and it immediately stood out. The major differences are that Shormann Math uses a timed method, there is no traditional textbook, and the algebra courses integrate geometry.

Dr. Shormann builds on the methods of John Saxon, using incremental, bite-sized lessons, continual review, and integrated geometry. Because of this, the teaching style felt familiar right away. Finding out that the program is taught from a biblical worldview was also very appealing, as it aligns with our family’s values.

One of the biggest differences from Saxon Math is the timed approach. Students work on math for about one hour each day, then stop and continue the next day. This has been a game changer for our homeschool schedule.

Another unique feature is the integration of geometry. Algebra 1 includes a half semester of geometry, and Algebra 2 completes the second half. Over two years, students can earn up to three math credits, depending on when they begin.

At first, I was unsure about the lack of a traditional textbook. Lessons are taught through video instruction, and students create their own textbook by taking notes. However, the more I learned about this method, the more I appreciated the intentional learning behind it.

To make sure it was a good fit, I had my son take the Algebra 1 placement test on the Shormann website, and he scored very high. I also reached out to customer service several times and received incredibly helpful responses. Based on his placement results, they confidently recommended moving forward with the course.

Transitioning to Shormann Math

At the start of our school year, we eased into our schedule instead of starting everything at once. We added one subject at a time each week until we reached our full routine.

For my oldest, we began with Shormann Math.

I will be honest. Switching felt intimidating. After years of success with Saxon Math, trying something new came with hesitation.

But we took it slow.

I reached out again to customer service and had the most encouraging phone call with a homeschooling mom who had used Shormann with her own children. That conversation made a huge difference.

I felt supported right from the beginning. Between phone support, emails, and helpful PDFs, it was clear they truly want families to succeed.

Throughout the entire year, we only experienced one minor issue, a few hours of downtime during a website migration. Aside from that, the platform has been consistently reliable.

What We Love About Shormann Math

The timed method has made a huge difference in our day to day routine. Having a clear stopping point keeps math from taking over our day and helps my son stay focused and consistent.

The built in PSAT and SAT preparation is another huge benefit. It is reassuring to know these skills are being developed naturally without needing a separate test prep program.

The automatic grading has also been a tremendous help. It frees up my time so I can work more intentionally with my other children, while still knowing my son is getting immediate feedback.

Another benefit I have seen is how much my son has grown in his study skills. He has learned how to take lecture notes, which is a skill I did not learn until college, and it has helped him become a more independent learner.

But one of my favorite unexpected blessings has been the encouragement woven into the lessons.

I often walk by my son’s room and hear Dr. Shormann reminding students that even when a concept is difficult, if they work diligently and unto the Lord, He will give them the ability to understand.

That kind of truth being spoken into my child during a math lesson is something I deeply value.

Trusting the Lord in Our Homeschool Journey

I will also say this. Math has never been a strong subject for me. Seeing our children do well in math has been such a gift, and I truly believe it is all thanks to the Lord. I have done my best, and God has faithfully provided the rest.

Our 7th grader truly thrived in this course. He has done so well, and it was 100% the right decision to switch from Saxon to Shormann for him. The growth we have seen in him has been incredible. He has learned how to take notes from lectures, developed stronger independent study skills, and gained so much more knowledge and understanding in math than we could have expected.

He has already surpassed my own math abilities, and I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for him next.

At the same time, our younger three are still using Saxon and will continue to use it, as I truly love the program for the younger years up until Pre-Algebra. It has served our family so well and continues to be a strong foundation for them.

Looking back, I am just grateful. Grateful for the tools, grateful for the growth, and most of all grateful for the Lord’s guidance in our homeschool journey.