Top 10 Alternatives to Outschool: Online Education Websites

Started in 2015 and primarily catered toward homeschooled kids, Outschool offers thousands o live and recorded video classes taught by independent instructors for a huge variety of subjects from writing to math and art, financial literacy, music theory, and more. Some reviews complain about a lack of customer service and technical support, and some complain about the quality of teachers, and not doing enough to protect kids’ privacy. Teachers at Outschool are screened and are required to pass a background check. Still, if you’re interested in online learning for your child, you might be eager to explore some of the best alternatives to Outschool for educating kids.

Discover Alternatives To Outschool

All of these online educational platforms for kids are similar to Outschool. They offer classes in a variety of subjects, though some are more focused on certain areas such as computer science, writing, math, and the arts. So check out fun online learning websites.

1. Create & Learn

Founded by coding professionals from Silicon Valley, Create & Learn was started with the mission of making computer science more accessible for kids of all ages. This award-winning education platform’s mission is to make coding fun to learn for any kid who wants to try. Today Create & Learn offers a variety of live online classes for kids, ranging from coding in Scratch, Roblox, and Minecraft to the basics of coding in Python, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Create & Learn also offers summer camps, where students can gain greater depth of understanding over a shorter period of time. For older students, there are specific courses to prepare them for AP exams and university. All teachers are vetted as excellent teachers with extensive teaching experience, and are required to pass a comprehensive background check to ensure the safety of students. Start with a free coding class.

Grades: K-12

Best for: Computer Science, STEM, Robotics, AI, Coding, Creativity

2. CalColor

If your child wants to learn art and design, this program is a winner – and even more so if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area. The largest art school in the San Francisco Bay Area with five campuses and an emphasis on remote instruction. CalColor offers instruction in fine art to kids, taught by current and former BFA and MFA students. Their progressive curriculum is designed by professional artists and art educators to guide students step-by-step, fostering a deeper understanding of color theory, composition, craftsmanship, and much more. There are a wide variety of classes for kids, ranging from Color Theory to Digital Art to AP Fine Arts. Classes are 180 minutes long, allowing students to gain confidence in their skills of creative expression. Classes are taught both in-person and live online. Explore upcoming art classes here.

Ages: 4 – 18

Best for: Fine Arts, Digital Art, Art History

3. Steve and Kate’s Camps

This can be a nice option for filling those long summer days with fun learning. Structured around giving students total intellectual freedom to explore their interests, Steve and Kate’s camps offer summer and winter camps, where each students chooses, minute by minute, what they will study. In a structure similar to Montessori education, these camps trust kids to make informed decisions about what they learn while providing them with enthusiastic support and encouragement. Teachers share a love of kids and must pass a background check. They even offer a variety of scholarships to support kids from underserved communities and from different economic backgrounds.

Grades: K – 8

Best for: Young Students, Summer Camps, Broad Range of Interests

4. Activity Hero

This alternative website can be your go-to for finding lots of options for classes in a specific subject. From STEM and coding camps to sports, art, and music lessons, ActivityHero connects families with trusted providers both locally and online, making it easy to discover new activities that help children develop skills and passions. So Activity Hero is less of an online school and more of a platform for reviewing and comparing different in-person and online educational activities for kids. It was founded by Bay Area moms who were frustrated by the varying quality and sheer variety of programs offered. Started in 2012 in the Bay Area, they have since expanded to a national level. Their platform takes the guesswork out of planning after-school activities for kids of all ages by offering details about online and in-person classes, workshops, and summer camps. The platform also offers tools for comparing options, as well as reviews from other parents, so you can feel confident in finding experiences that fit your child’s unique interests and schedule.

Grades: K-12

Best for: Broad Range of Interests, After-School Activities

5. Think Academy

For boosting your child’s math skills with online classes, this is a wonderful Outschool alternative. Think Academy offers a comprehensive and interactive math enrichment program online, designed to build a strong foundation in math for children ages 3-11. Their curriculum covers everything from early math skills for younger kids to more advanced problem-solving and critical thinking concepts as they progress. Think Academy combines structured, high-quality math instruction with engaging activities, ensuring that children not only grasp mathematical concepts but also enjoy the learning process. Classes are small, encouraging active participation, and follow a step-by-step approach that helps students feel confident as they master each topic. With regular progress assessments and targeted feedback, Think Academy supports each child’s unique learning journey, making it an excellent option for parents seeking a math program that strengthens both foundational skills and a love for math.

Grades: PreK – 8

Best for: Math

6. 6Crickets

This is an alternative that’s similar to the Steve and Kate experience. Modeled on traditional after-school programs, 6Crickets works with parents, teachers, students, and local school districts to provide extension schooling for kids from both homeschooled and traditional schools. Recognizing that most parents work 2,000+ hours per year, while most kids are only in school for about half that time, 6Crickets is motivated by a belief that every child deserves the best opportunities to thrive and learn, both in school and without. Providing courses in computer science, sports, life skills, science, and language arts, the platform is perfect for students who need help in specific subjects and for advanced students who want to pursue a particular interest more deeply. Their teachers are comprehensively screened and come from traditional teaching backgrounds.

Grades: K – 12

Best for: Broad Range of Interests, After-School Activities

7. 3P Learning

For building math skills through activities, 3P Learning is a handy platform. Using a gamified approach to learning, 3P offers 100,000 curriculum-aligned activities and games to students, parents, and teachers with an emphasis on math and literacy. Working with schools, school districts, parents, and students, the website offers a one-stop shop for pairing kids with great learning resources, helping struggling students to love math. Students progress at their own pace and there are automated reports that can keep you updated on your child’s progress. The Mathletics program is top rate, and they offer a free trial so it’s easy to get started.

Grades: K – 12

Best for: Math, Literacy

8. CG Spectrum

This is a nice option for older students interested in online classes for digital design. With the support of leaders within the film, video games, and digital arts industries, CG Spectrum provides classes in digital art and animation, where students learn and refine their skills in digital design. Motivating students to study complex topics can be a challenge for parents and teachers alike, but since kids love video games, using them as a platform for education is a no-brainer. If you have artistically inclined students or those who love animation and gaming, this would be a great option for them. Offering private, 1-on-1 or small group instruction, their courses include weekly meetings with a live instructor as well as opening opportunities for them by bringing them into a community of over 100,000 creative students. While the program is catered to older students and even young adults, it is open to younger students as well. Their graduates have gone on to internships and jobs at major gaming and animation companies like Blizzard and Pixar.

Grades: 6 – 12+

Best for: Computer Graphics, Game Design, Film Animation

9. IXL Homeschooling Education

While this platform doesn’t offer any live online classes, IXL’s homeschooling curriculum provides a flexible, comprehensive program that supports a personalized learning experience across core subjects English, math, science, social studies, and languages such as Spanish. Plus, you can simplify your lesson planning with IXL skill plans mapped to textbooks and state standards. With over 8,500 skills-based exercises, IXL allows parents to tailor learning paths to their child’s specific needs and pace, making it a great choice for homeschooling families looking for a versatile, self-paced curriculum.

IXL’s interactive platform uses adaptive technology, which means that as children work through exercises, the questions adjust in difficulty based on their performance, reinforcing areas where they need extra practice. Each subject area offers detailed progress tracking and skill reports, enabling parents to monitor their child’s strengths and areas for improvement. As a result, IXL can be a nice supplementary option to complement online classes.

Grades: PreK – 12

Best for: English, math, social studies, languages

10. Skillshare

Here’s another option for self-motivated kids that covers tons of subjects. Skillshare offers a wide range of engaging online classes that can help children explore new interests and develop creative, academic, and practical skills. While many of the classes are geared towards adults, some of the videos are great for kids that can manage the accountability of self-paced learning. Skillshare provides access to thousands of video classes in subjects such as drawing, animation, film, music and more. This flexibility allows kids to dive into topics they’re passionate about while learning from experienced creators and professionals. With short lessons, interactive projects, and feedback opportunities, Skillshare encourages children to learn at their own pace in a fun and low-pressure environment. For parents seeking a flexible, affordable way to enrich their child’s education, Skillshare offers a unique way to explore and grow in a variety of fields.

Grades: 5 – 12

Best for: Creative subjects such as art, creative writing, animation, entrepreneurship, music

Enjoy Alternatives To Outschool

Now you know some other online platforms similar to Outschool. These programs can sometimes offer more focused instruction in specific subjects, while others serve to support or replace traditional after-school programs. Still more programs model themselves on degree or bootcamp programs meant to teach specific industry skills in a short period of time. If your child would like to learn more or if they’re ready to get started, enroll your student in an award-winning free coding class.