Curriculum and Content Questions
Q: What grade levels are available?
A: At the moment, our complete, year-long Language Arts & Geography Studies curriculum is available for Kindergarten. We started with Kindergarten because it’s such a foundational year for building strong reading, writing, and communication skills, but we are actively developing additional grade levels. Our long-term plan is to offer a full K–12 program, so your learner can grow with Starboard Studies year after year.
Our Literature Units are designed as multi-age, family-style studies that work beautifully for Grades K–6, so siblings can learn together.
Additionally, all of our geography lessons, activities, and resources are also written to be enjoyed by the entire family, with activities and discussion prompts that can be adapted for different ages.
Q: Will there be more grade levels available in the future?
A: Yes! We are currently expanding our curriculum in stages, starting with Grades 1–5 so that families have a complete elementary sequence. After that, we will move on to grades 6-12. This step-by-step approach allows us to ensure each grade level is thoughtfully designed, developmentally appropriate, and as engaging and flexible as our Kindergarten program.
Q: Is Starboard Studies really secular?
A: Yes, 100% secular. Our lessons do not include religious instruction or doctrine, and our book selections are chosen for their educational value, literary quality, and alignment with our learning goals—not for promoting a specific worldview. Families from all backgrounds can confidently use our materials knowing they focus on strong academics, creativity, and cultural understanding.
Q: Are your materials aligned to standards?
A: Yes. Our core Language Arts curriculum is fully aligned to Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, with each lesson mapped to the specific standards it addresses. They are also aligned to the National Geography Standards published by the National Council for Geographic Education. You can view the list of standards covered by lesson here.
While homeschoolers are often not legally required to follow state or federal standards (requirements vary by state), these benchmarks can be a helpful guide. They outline the essential skills—like reading comprehension, writing, speaking, and critical thinking—that students are expected to develop in each grade. Creating our curriculum with these standards in mind ensures that all foundational skills are covered and that students receive a complete, well-rounded educational experience.
While we meet these benchmarks, our lessons are designed to go beyond them, emphasizing creativity, critical thinking, and a love of learning that standardized requirements alone can’t capture.
Q: Can I use this for multiple children?
A: If you’re using Starboard Studies with more than one child in your household, you only need to purchase one license—there’s no need to buy separate copies for each sibling. However, if you’re using our materials in a group setting, such as a co-op or classroom, a separate copy is required for each student.
Q: Does my purchase include books or supplies?
A: No. Your purchase includes a PDF of the curriculum only. Supplies and materials are not included.
Q: What educational philosophy does Starboard Studies use?
A: Starboard Studies isn’t built on one single method — it’s a thoughtful blend of the best research-based practices and time-tested approaches to learning. We believe education should be both inspiring and effective, rooted in how children actually learn and grow.
From Charlotte Mason we draw the value of living books and rich, meaningful ideas. From Waldorf-inspired practices we take the importance of beauty and creativity in the learning environment. Our language arts lessons are grounded in the Science of Reading and incorporate Orton–Gillingham–inspired strategies in the yearly years, ensuring that reading and spelling instruction is both systematic and accessible.
We also weave in elements of project-based learning and thematic, interdisciplinary teaching, connecting literature to geography, science, art, and history so that learning feels whole and connected. Hands-on projects, open-ended discussions, and real-world applications encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity.
By combining these influences, Starboard Studies offers a well-rounded, adaptable approach that honors the child as a whole learner — nurturing academic growth, creativity, and a genuine love of learning.
Q: Do your materials include all of the subjects I need to cover? / Is this a Complete Curriculum?
A: Our programs focus on specific subject areas—such as Language Arts, Geography, and Literature—and are not a complete all-subject curriculum. Each state has its own requirements for homeschoolers, so it’s important to review your state’s guidelines to ensure you’re covering everything needed. Depending on your location and your educational goals, you may wish to add other subjects such as math, science, or additional social studies topics. Starboard Studies is designed to fit easily alongside other resources, making it simple to create a well-rounded year of learning that meets your family’s needs.
Q: Where do I learn about my state’s requirements for homeschoolers?
A: Homeschooling laws vary widely from state to state, so it’s important to go straight to the source. The most reliable information will come from your state’s Department of Education or official government website, where you can usually find details on how to get started, which subjects (if any) are required, recordkeeping guidelines, and any testing or assessment rules. In addition, many states have local homeschool associations, support groups, or online communities that can help you understand how the laws are applied in practice. While blogs and third-party websites can be a helpful starting point, always double-check with official state resources to be sure you have the most current and accurate information.
Q: Where can I report a type or error?
A: Please email our customer support team at support@starboardstudies.com if you find a typo or error in the curriculum.
Purchasing and Delivery Questions
Q: Does Starboard Studies offer group pricing for Co-ops?
A: Yes! If you’re using our materials in a group setting, such as a co-op or classroom, a separate copy is required for each student. When you add four or more copies of the same item to your cart, an automatic 20% group discount will be applied. If you have questions about group pricing or special circumstances, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help.
Q: Do you offer sales?
A: Yes! We offer discounts on bundles that combine our Literature Units with the Language Arts and Geography Curriculum, so you can save when purchasing them together. We also provide bulk purchase discounts for classrooms and co-op settings. For occasional promotions and seasonal sales, be sure to follow us on social media and check our website regularly for updates.
Q: Are there any refunds, exchanges, or returns?
A: Because our curriculum is delivered as a digital PDF download, all sales are final and we cannot offer refunds, returns, or exchanges. We encourage you to review the detailed product descriptions, browse sample pages, and use the placement guides for your level before purchasing. If you have any questions or need help determining whether a product is the right fit for your family, please reach out—we’re happy to help you make a confident choice.
Q: Do you offer printed and bound curriculum / physical copies of the curricula?
A: At this time, our curriculum is available only as a digital PDF download. This gives you the flexibility to use it right away and print it however you prefer. Some families choose to print at home, while others use a local print shop or an online printing service to create bound copies. See our Printing page for helpful tips and recommendations to make the process easy.
Q: How do I get the files after purchase?
A: All of our products are delivered as digital PDF downloads—no shipping or waiting required. Once your purchase is complete, you’ll receive an email with a download link so you can access your files right away. If you don’t see the email within a few minutes, be sure to check your spam or promotions folder. Some email providers may experience delivery delays of up to 36–48 hours, which is unfortunately outside our control. For the quickest access, we recommend using an email address from a provider like Gmail.
Q: I lost my downloads. Can I get them again?
A: Yes! Just email us with your order number and/or email you used to place the order, and we will resend the download link(s).
Q: Can I sell or give away my PDF files and downloads if I sell my curriculum to another homeschool parent?
A: No. Your purchase is for a single-family license, which means the files are for your household’s use only. PDF downloads may not be resold, shared, or transferred to another person, even if you are no longer using them. If another family would like to use Starboard Studies, they’ll need to purchase their own copy directly from us. Please refer them to our website. This helps our small family business continue creating high-quality, affordable resources for the homeschool community.
Q: I’m having trouble opening my PDF. What should I do?
A: In most cases, the issue is either with unzipping the file or with the program used to open it. Many of our downloads are delivered in a compressed (.zip) folder, so you’ll need to make sure your computer or device can unzip files. Most newer computers have this built in, but if yours doesn’t, you can install a free program like WinZip or 7-Zip.
Once the files are unzipped, you’ll need a PDF reader to view them. We recommend the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, which tends to work more reliably than some built-in viewers. On a Mac, Preview often works well, but if one program gives you trouble, try opening the file in a different reader. In many cases, simply switching programs solves the problem.
Printing Questions
Q: My PDF won’t print correctly. Any tips?
A: Printing issues can happen for a variety of reasons, but these quick fixes solve most problems:
Try “Print as Image.” In your printer settings, look for an Advanced or More Options button and select “Print as Image.” This often resolves stubborn printing errors.
Try printing without the cover. You can add it later if you want to include it.
Use a different PDF viewer. Some built-in PDF viewers have trouble with large or graphic-heavy files. We recommend downloading the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe’s website, which usually works more reliably.
If one step doesn’t work, try combining them—for example, using Adobe Reader and “Print as Image” together often does the trick.
Q: My print shop says they need permission to print my PDF. What should I do?
A: Every Starboard Studies curriculum file includes a printing permission statement in the Usage Policy on the first page. In most cases, that’s all your print shop will need. If they still require additional documentation, just let us know. We can quickly provide you with a separate written release so you can move forward with printing without any hassle.