CTC Math Review: Complete Parent’s Guide (2026)

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Your child watches the video. They pause, rewind, and watch again. CTC Math uses this learning style for math. Kids watch short video lessons, then practice as much as they need. But does this program work for your homeschool?

I’ve used CTC Math with three kids for two years. We cover grades 3 through 8. We started after my middle daughter hit a wall with our old curriculum. She needed to see concepts taught, not just read about them. All three kids have grown steadily. I’ve also talked to many families in our co-op and online groups.

Here’s my complete CTC Math review—what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s right for your family.

What is CTC Math?

CTC Math is an online math program made by Pat Murray. He’s an Australian math teacher with 30+ years of experience. The program covers K through calculus. It’s a full K-12 solution for families who want video lessons.

What makes CTC Math different? First, the videos are short. Most run 4 to 10 minutes. Murray teaches one concept at a time so kids don’t feel lost. Second, the price is low. Big families can access all grades with one account.

The National Center for Education Statistics says families spend $700-1,000 per year on homeschool stuff. CTC Math costs just $195/year for the whole family. That makes good math much more affordable.

How CTC Math Works

The program is simple. Watch a video. Then practice what you learned. Let me break it down.

Video Lessons

Each lesson shows Murray writing on a whiteboard. He explains each step as he goes. The videos are clear and cover one skill at a time. My kids love that they can pause and rewatch. They can’t do that with a live teacher.

The style is simple, not flashy. There are no cartoon characters or games. Some kids find this boring. Others like the focus on real learning.

Practice Problems

After each video, kids do practice problems. They get instant feedback. The system tells them if they’re right or wrong. When they miss a problem, it shows the answer. This helps kids catch mistakes early.

One feature my kids love: unlimited attempts. If they score low, they can try again. And again. The program makes new problems each time. Kids can’t just memorize answers. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics says this approach helps kids remember more.

Lesson Structure

Here’s our typical CTC Math routine:

1. Child logs in and selects lesson (1 minute)
2. Watches the video, pausing to take notes if needed (5-10 minutes)
3. Completes practice problems until mastering the concept (15-25 minutes)
4. Reviews progress report with parent weekly (5 minutes)

Daily sessions run 25-40 minutes. Some kids need more time. Others move faster. The self-paced format works for all speeds.

Scope and Sequence

CTC Math sorts content by grade and topic. Each grade covers the usual areas:

• Elementary (K-5): Number sense, operations, fractions, decimals, geometry basics, measurement
• Middle School (6-8): Ratios, percentages, integers, expressions, equations, geometry, statistics
• High School: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus

Kids aren’t locked into one grade. With one plan, they can access any lesson. They can review old topics or jump ahead. This freedom helps many families.

Progress Tracking

The parent dashboard tracks each child. You see which lessons they did, their scores, and time spent. You can spot problems fast. Weekly emails keep you updated without logging in.

Cathy Duffy Reviews calls this feature great for parents with many kids. It’s one of the top homeschool review sites.

Placement and Assessment

Not sure where to start? Take the free placement test on their site. These quick tests find gaps. They show the right starting point. I’d suggest using it even if you think you know their level. It often shows gaps you didn’t expect.

Quizzes track mastery on their own. You don’t need to make your own tests. The system flags topics where kids score below 70%. Trouble areas are easy to find.

Creating a Weekly Schedule

Here’s what works for most families:

• Younger kids (K-3): 20-30 minutes daily, 4-5 days per week
• Middle grades (4-6): 30-40 minutes daily, 5 days per week
• Upper grades (7-12): 40-50 minutes daily, 5 days per week

Consistency matters more than length. Short daily practice beats long random sessions. The program tracks streaks. That keeps many kids going.

CTC Math Advantages

1. Exceptional Value

CTC Math costs $149/year for one child. Or $195/year for up to 10 kids. That’s way less than most programs. Teaching Textbooks costs $72 per student per grade. IXL runs $199 per subject per child. CTC Math wins on price.

The family price really stands out. You get all grades K-12 for under $200 a year. No extra fees when kids move up. That’s great value.

2. Short, Focused Video Lessons

Most videos are under 10 minutes. Short lessons work better for many kids. They stay focused the whole time. Most days, a full lesson takes under 30 minutes.

Research backs this up. Kids tune out after 6-10 minutes of video. CTC Math’s short lessons match this. Kids stay engaged.

3. Unlimited Practice with Instant Feedback

Kids can retry as much as they need. Each time, the system makes new problems. They can’t just memorize answers. This lets kids practice without shame. It builds skills through repetition.

My daughter has math anxiety. This feature helped her a lot. She could practice alone. She made mistakes and tried again. No one watched or counted her tries.

4. Minimal Parent Involvement Required

Set up the account, then kids run it on their own. They log in, watch videos, and do practice. The system tracks it all. You can check reports later. You don’t have to sit with them. This helps busy parents a lot.

5. Full K-12 Coverage

One plan covers K through Calculus. Kids don’t outgrow it. You won’t need to switch programs later. This helps kids who like the same teaching style year after year.

CTC Math Disadvantages

1. Limited Conceptual Depth

This program teaches steps well. But it doesn’t always explain why methods work. If your child asks “why do we flip and multiply?” the videos may not help. The focus is on right answers, not deep understanding.

This matters for kids headed to STEM or advanced classes. Programs like Beast Academy or Singapore Math go deeper on concepts.

2. Plain Presentation Style

The videos show a whiteboard with Murray’s voice. There are no cartoons, characters, or games. Some kids like the simple focus. Others find it dull compared to flashy programs like Prodigy.

My oldest son didn’t mind the plain style. My youngest thought it looked boring. We added fun games as rewards to keep her going.

3. No Hands-On Components

This program is all online. There are no blocks, worksheets, or hands-on stuff. Kids who need to touch things to learn will need extra materials.

We added fraction tiles and blocks for younger grades. The program doesn’t need them. But they helped my hands-on learner a lot.

4. Australian Spelling and Currency

Murray is Australian. Some lessons use spellings like “metre” and Australian money. It rarely causes problems. Some US families find it odd. But numbers work the same either way.

5. Limited Problem-Solving Practice

Practice problems test one skill at a time. There aren’t many word problems or mixed problems. So kids may do well on single skills but struggle on tests with harder questions.

Who is CTC Math Best For?

Ideal Candidates

• Visual learners who understand better by watching explanations than reading them
• Struggling students who need unlimited practice without judgment or time pressure
• Large families seeking affordable coverage for multiple children across grade levels
• Busy parents wanting a hands-off curriculum that teaches independently
• Kids with number anxiety who benefit from private practice and retaking lessons

May Not Be Ideal For

• Advanced or gifted learners who need conceptual depth and challenging problems
• Kinesthetic learners requiring hands-on activities and manipulatives
• Kids who dislike screen time or learn better from physical books
• Families wanting engaging visuals with animations and game elements
• Students preparing for competitions who need problem-solving depth

CTC Math has a 6-month money-back guarantee. Try it first. If it doesn’t work, get your money back.

CTC Math Versus Similar Programs

Feature	CTC Math	Teaching Textbooks	Math-U-See
Grades	K-12	3-12	K-12
Format	Online only	Online + optional books	DVD/Online + workbooks
Video Style	Whiteboard teaching	Animated instructor	Live teacher instruction
Approach	Procedural mastery	Step-by-step teaching	Conceptual with manipulatives
Parent Involvement	Minimal	Minimal	Moderate
Family Price/Year	$195	$72/child/level	$120-150/level
Best For	Budget-conscious families	Independent learners	Hands-on learners

See our Best Homeschool Math Curriculum guide, Teaching Textbooks Review, and Math-U-See Review for more details.

Pricing and What’s Included

Subscription Options

• Individual Plan: $149/year for one child (any grade level)
• Family Plan: $195/year for up to 10 children (all grade levels K-12)
• Monthly Option: Available at higher per-month cost

What’s Included

• Access to all lessons from kindergarten through calculus
• Unlimited video viewing and practice problems
• Parent dashboard with progress tracking
• Weekly progress email reports
• Printable worksheets for additional practice
• 6-month money-back guarantee

What’s Not Included

• Physical workbooks or textbooks
• Manipulatives or hands-on materials
• Live teacher support or tutoring
• Offline access (internet required)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CTC Math align with Common Core?

CTC Math covers the same topics as Common Core. It was made in Australia, so it doesn’t follow US standards exactly. But it teaches what kids need for tests. The order of topics may vary slightly.

Can CTC Math work for struggling students?

Yes, this is a strong point. Kids can practice as much as they need. No time pressure. They can rewatch videos. The private setting reduces anxiety for many kids.

Is CTC Math enough for college preparation?

For non-STEM students, yes. CTC Math covers through pre-calculus. STEM students may need more problem-solving practice. Add Art of Problem Solving for those kids.

Does CTC Math work on tablets and phones?

Yes, it works on any device with internet. Tablets and computers work best. Phones are harder to use for practice problems.

How long do lessons take each day?

Plan for 25-40 minutes daily. Videos run 4-10 minutes. Practice takes 15-25 more. Easy days go faster. Hard topics take longer.

Final Verdict

CTC Math gives solid value for homeschool families. Short lessons, unlimited practice, and low family pricing help budget-minded families. Kids learn on their own. Parents don’t need to sit with them.

This program works best for certain kids. If your child learns from video + practice, it excels. If they need deep concepts or hands-on learning, look elsewhere or add supplements.

My three kids have grown with CTC Math over two years. The struggling one gained confidence. The average one kept up on her own. The advanced one moved fast but needed extra challenges. For us, CTC Math solved the “who teaches math” problem at a low cost.

Rating: 4/5 — Great value for video-based learning; lacks conceptual depth for advanced students

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