Nicole the Math Lady

Nicole the Math Lady provides video instruction for Saxon Math curriculum, helping students from elementary through high school learn independently. Parents who have incorporated this program into their homeschooling journey share these perspectives:

What Parents Appreciate

The most frequently cited benefit is how Nicole transforms the sometimes dry Saxon curriculum into an engaging experience:

"Saxon math is fairly dry and lengthy... But once a friend told me about Nicole the Math Lady – BOOM – problem solved. I'm so grateful for her services!" A Healthy Slice of Life

Many parents express relief at being able to step back from teaching math directly:

"With Nicole the Math Lady, my kids can be 100% independent. All I have to do is make sure they are working and check grades every so often." Maestra Mom

Parents of multiple children find that the program helps them manage their homeschool day more effectively:

"Before we started using Nicole, I was teaching Saxon to three children. Now Nicole handles it for us, and I feel completely confident." Homeschool Mom via Maestra Mom

The online grading feature is frequently mentioned as a time-saver:

"The auto-grading is a life saver!! It gives immediate feedback and saves so much time." Facebook User

The program seems to work for different learning styles:

"My children have very different math minds... I'm a bit surprised and very much pleased that they both are thriving with the same math program. Kudos to Nicole." A Healthy Slice of Life

Nicole's personal teaching style and availability for additional help receives high praise:

"My daughter reached out to Nicole who answered her within 5 minutes and then FaceTimed her... walking her through the problem completely! Amazing!" Maestra Mom

Parents frequently mention the program's affordability compared to other options:

"For us, hiring a math tutor would be around $40-$60 per session. Nicole is only $79/year for your whole family!" Living Well + Learning Well

Common Challenges

While most feedback is positive, parents note a few limitations:

The program doesn't change Saxon's lengthy assignments, which some students find overwhelming:

"There are 30 daily practice problems, which may overwhelm some students." Happy Homeschool Mom

Unlike some programs, the auto-grading doesn't provide explanations when answers are wrong:

"In Nicole's online grading, the student receives immediate feedback as to whether the problem is right or wrong, but the correct answer is not given or explained." Maestra Mom

The video format might not work for all learning styles:

"This program is not for you if your child does not enjoy learning via computer or iPad." Living Well + Learning Well

Best Fit for Your Family

Based on parent feedback, Nicole the Math Lady works particularly well for:

• Families already using or interested in Saxon Math
• Parents who want to decrease their direct involvement in math teaching
• Students who can work independently with video instruction
• Homeschoolers with multiple children at different math levels
• Families looking for a more affordable alternative to tutoring
• Parents who lack confidence teaching higher-level math

The program might be less ideal for:

• Students who struggle with Saxon's spiral approach and lengthy assignments
• Children who need hands-on instruction rather than video lessons
• Families who prefer a completely self-contained curriculum (you still need Saxon textbooks)
• Students who need detailed explanations when they make mistakes

Parent Involvement Required

Parents describe their role with Nicole the Math Lady as primarily supervisory rather than instructional:

• Ensuring students actually complete their assigned work
• Monitoring progress through the online gradebook
• Helping with specific problems when students get stuck
• Providing occasional explanation for concepts students find difficult
• Setting up the daily schedule for completing math lessons

Most parents appreciate this reduced teaching burden, as noted by Cathy Duffy's review which explicitly rates the "Need for Parent or Teacher Instruction" as minimal with this resource.

Making the Most of Nicole the Math Lady

Experienced users suggest these approaches:

• Use the option to assign only odd or even problems to reduce workload if needed
• Take advantage of the Study Hall feature for peer support on difficult concepts
• Consider supplementing with the optional Drill Team program for math facts practice
• Refer to Saxon solution manuals when students need more explanation for wrong answers
• Ensure you're using the recommended edition of Saxon textbooks to match the videos

The Bottom Line

For families using Saxon Math, Nicole the Math Lady offers an effective way to maintain the curriculum's rigor while making it more accessible and enjoyable for students. The program significantly reduces parent teaching time while providing consistent, engaging instruction.

As one parent summarized: "Nicole the Math Lady makes me feel confident my kids are grasping and effectively implementing mathematical problem solving. It has been one of the best decisions I've made for our homeschooling."