What is SOLO in Alberta home education?

SOLO is the Schedule of Learning Outcomes for students whose home program does not follow the Alberta Programs of Study. It is a short list of broad outcomes covering a basic education in language arts, math, science, and social studies, to be met by the end of age 19.

Is SOLO easier than the Alberta Programs of Study?

SOLO is more flexible, not lower quality. It sets broad goals instead of grade-by-grade detail, so you choose the timing, resources, and methods. The Programs of Study give a clearer roadmap and align with official high school credits.

Can I use any curriculum I want with SOLO?

Yes, within reason. SOLO lets you pick resources that fit your child, as long as your plan covers the core subjects and the outcomes. Funded families also need their materials to support the program plan to be reimbursed.

Does SOLO affect getting a high school diploma?

Yes. Official high school credits and the Alberta High School Diploma run on the Programs of Study. A teen on a SOLO program who wants the diploma earns credits through courses, challenges, and diploma exams instead.

Alberta Homeschool Curriculum: Programs of Study vs SOLO (2026)

Q: Do I have to use the Alberta curriculum to homeschool?

No. You can teach to the Alberta Programs of Study, the same outcomes public schools use, or to the Schedule of Learning Outcomes (SOLO) written into the Home Education Regulation, which is far more flexible.

One of the first choices an Alberta homeschool parent makes is what to teach to. The province gives you two options, and they shape how much freedom you have all year.

You can follow the Alberta Programs of Study, the same outcomes public schools use, or the Schedule of Learning Outcomes, known as SOLO. Here is the real difference between them and how to pick the one that fits your child.

The Short Answer

Alberta lets you teach to one of two sets of goals. The Alberta Programs of Study lay out grade-by-grade outcomes, the same ones public schools follow, and they line up with official high school credits. The Schedule of Learning Outcomes, or SOLO, is written into the Home Education Regulation and sets broad targets for a basic education in language arts, math, science, and social studies, to be met by the end of age 19. SOLO gives you freedom over timing, resources, and methods. The Programs of Study give you a clearer roadmap and a smoother route to the diploma.

Verified June 2026. Reflects the Home Education Regulation (AR 89/2019) and its Schedule of Learning Outcomes.

Programs of Study vs SOLO at a Glance

Alberta Programs of Study	Grade-by-grade outcomes, the same public schools use. Clear roadmap, aligns with official high school credits.
Schedule of Learning Outcomes (SOLO)	Broad outcomes for a basic education, met by the end of age 19. Maximum flexibility in timing and resources.
Best for the Programs of Study	Families who want structure, plan to aim for the Alberta High School Diploma, or like a ready-made scope and sequence.
Best for SOLO	Families who want to teach their own way, follow the child's pace, and mix resources freely.
Core subjects either way	Language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
You can mix	Yes. Many families follow SOLO overall and use Programs of Study courses for some subjects.

What the Alberta Programs of Study Are

The Programs of Study are the official outcomes Alberta sets for each subject at each grade. They spell out what a student is expected to learn and do, year by year, and they are what classroom teachers work from. When you choose this path for home education, you get a ready-made map: you know what grade 4 math or grade 7 science should cover, and you can buy materials that line up with it.

This route suits parents who want structure and reassurance, and it matters most in high school. Official credits and the Alberta High School Diploma run on the Programs of Study, so a teen heading for a competitive university program is often best served by aligned courses. Our guide on Alberta homeschool high school covers how those credits work.

What SOLO Is and Why Parents Choose It

SOLO is the Schedule of Learning Outcomes for students whose home program does not follow the Programs of Study. It lives inside the Home Education Regulation and reads as a short list of broad expectations rather than a thick curriculum. It asks that your child get a solid basic education in language arts, math, science, and social studies, and that they build the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to do well in life after high school.

The freedom is in the framing. SOLO sets outcomes to reach by the end of age 19, not targets locked to each grade. You decide the pace, the order, and the resources. A child who loves science can race ahead in it and take longer with writing, and you are still on track. Families who unschool, follow a child-led approach, or blend several programs lean toward SOLO because it bends around the kid instead of the other way round.

Choosing the right curriculum gets easier when you know what to teach, what to skip, and where to start.

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Which One Should You Choose

Start with where your child is headed, not with which sounds easier. If your teen is aiming straight at university and wants the cleanest admission, the Programs of Study and official credits remove friction later. If your kids are young, or you want to teach in your own style and trust their pace, SOLO gives you room to do that well.

You are not stuck with one forever. Plenty of families run SOLO through the elementary years for flexibility, then shift toward Programs of Study courses in high school when credits start to matter. You can also mix in a single year: follow SOLO overall while using an aligned math course because you like its structure. The choice is a tool, not a cage. If you are weighing actual programs, our guide on how to choose homeschool curriculum walks through it without the overwhelm.

How Your Choice Shows Up in Your Program Plan

Whichever you pick, you note it in the program plan you write when you file your notification. On the funded path, your facilitator wants to see that your plan covers the core subjects and the outcomes you chose, and that your materials back up that plan. This is lighter than it sounds. A few clear lines per subject, naming your approach and main resources, does the job. For how the plan fits the rest of getting started, see our main guide on how to homeschool in Alberta.

Val's Note: What This Really Means for You

Here is how I think about it after years of doing this. The Programs of Study are a map someone else drew. SOLO is a compass and permission to draw your own. Neither is better. The map is a gift when you feel lost or when a diploma is on the line. The compass is a gift when you know your kid and want to teach to them, not to a calendar.

If you are brand new and nervous, there is no shame in starting with the Programs of Study for a year. The structure steadies you. Once you trust your own read on your child, you can loosen toward SOLO and use that freedom on purpose. Most families I know drift toward SOLO over time, not because the rules push them, but because they stop needing the map.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Have to Use the Alberta Curriculum?

No. You can teach to the Alberta Programs of Study, the outcomes public schools use, or to the Schedule of Learning Outcomes (SOLO) in the Home Education Regulation, which is far more flexible.

What Is SOLO?

SOLO is the Schedule of Learning Outcomes for students whose home program does not follow the Programs of Study. It sets broad goals for a basic education in the core subjects, to be met by the end of age 19.

Is SOLO Easier?

It is more flexible, not lower quality. SOLO sets broad targets instead of grade-by-grade detail, so you control the timing and resources. The Programs of Study give a clearer roadmap and align with official credits.

Can I Use Any Curriculum With SOLO?

Yes, within reason. SOLO lets you choose resources that fit your child, as long as your plan covers the core subjects and outcomes. Funded families also need materials that support their program plan to be reimbursed.

Does SOLO Affect the High School Diploma?

Yes. Official credits and the Alberta High School Diploma run on the Programs of Study. A teen on SOLO who wants the diploma earns credits through courses, challenges, and diploma exams instead.

Sources

This guide was verified in June 2026 against the following primary sources. Confirm current outcomes and program plan expectations with Alberta Education or your associate board.