IXL

IXL's online learning platform generates passionate responses from parents, with some considering it an essential educational tool while others have significant reservations. Here's what families are saying about this popular practice-based program:

What Parents Appreciate

Many parents value IXL for its comprehensive coverage and convenience, particularly those juggling multiple children or busy schedules:

"It has seriously saved my life. It replaced workbooks AND I never have to grade. I have 5 kids and each one does 15 minutes of IXL a day in various subjects. BAM. Done." Homeschool parent on Reddit

The program's extensive practice opportunities and immediate feedback consistently earn praise from parents who value repetition as a learning tool:

"My son uses it for all subjects and loves it... Repetition is what I like." TheHomeSchoolMom review

"It provides immediate feedback and lots of repetition. I feel like it's a great supplement to fortify skills." Parent-educator via TheHomeSchoolMom

Parents frequently highlight the diagnostic tools and detailed analytics as particularly valuable for understanding their children's progress:

"I appreciate the analytics and diagnostics… it helps me see what areas my child is having difficulty with… [and] even gives recommendations for activities to help." TheHomeSchoolMom review

The platform's flexibility to meet individual needs earns recognition from parents of children with learning differences:

"I love IXL. My son has autism and ADD. IXL has been part of his progress… this is our 4th year using it." Parent via TheHomeSchoolMom

Common Concerns

The scoring system generates the most consistent criticism, with many parents reporting that it causes unnecessary stress and discouragement:

"If you get one question wrong when you are in the 70s, 80s or 90s, you can kiss goodbye to completing the skill." TheHomeSchoolMom review

"My son really gets stressed out like crazy when he does IXL… When you get close to one hundred, and get one wrong, it bumps you back so far." Parent via TheHomeSchoolMom

Some families find that the format becomes tedious over time, particularly for children who prefer variety or more engaging presentations:

"IXL is a good website but it is kinda boring and not interesting." TheHomeSchoolMom review

Parents also caution that IXL works better as a practice tool than as primary instruction:

"It seems to cover a lot of topics… but ultimately, if the child doesn't understand a concept initially, IXL's explanations may not be enough to fully teach it." Parent via TheHomeSchoolMom

For some children, especially those with certain learning styles or anxiety, the program's approach can be counterproductive:

"Whenever [my son] struggles with a concept, the continual negative feedback with a honking sound became very discouraging to him. We stopped using IXL for him because he was getting so overwhelmed and began thinking he was bad at math." Homeschool parent via TheHomeSchoolMom

Who Thrives with IXL?

Based on parent feedback, IXL works particularly well for:

• Students who benefit from structured, consistent practice
• Families juggling multiple children or busy schedules who need independent work options
• Parents who want detailed analytics to track progress and identify weak areas
• Children who aren't easily discouraged by occasional setbacks
• Students who need targeted skills practice to supplement other learning materials

Parents might want to consider alternatives if their child:

• Gets easily frustrated or has perfectionist tendencies
• Needs extensive explanation of concepts before practice
• Prefers more visually engaging or game-based learning
• Has specific learning differences that make the format challenging
• Needs variety to stay motivated

Making IXL Work For Your Family

Parents who successfully use IXL often implement these strategies:

• Setting reasonable goals (aiming for 80-90 instead of 100 on the SmartScore)
• Keeping practice sessions short (15-20 minutes)
• Using IXL alongside other learning resources that teach concepts in different ways
• Focusing on progress rather than perfection
• Selecting specific skills that match what the child is learning in other curricula

Many families find that IXL works best as one component of a balanced educational approach rather than as a stand-alone solution. As one parent summarized: "It's a digital worksheet that has grading built in" – an efficient practice tool that can save parents time, but not a complete teaching system.