Advantages of a All-in-One Homeschool Curriculum
Boxed curriculum is a convenient option for homeschoolers. All you do is pick the grade level you need and they will include most everything you need to begin your homeschool. These boxed curriculums include things like -- teacher guides, books, study sheets, tests, activities, and some include report cards.
Besides being convenient you will have all the books and plans for a complete academic year planned for you. Plus by using the same company for many years you will be able to take advantage of their scope to ensure you are covering everything. Many boxed curriculum also makes record keeping much easier by having you mail your child’s completed work to an assigned teacher who will correct, comment, and grade your child. Some even provide an official transcripts and a diploma upon completion of the program.
Companies Providing Boxed Homeschool Curriculum
A Beka Correspondence Program
- Grades K-12
- Biblical perspective curriculum
- Very structured, weekly tests, lots of drills & repetition
- Costs 1st-6th Grade – $795 and 7th-12th grade - $856
BJU Press Total Homeschool Solutions
- Grades K-12
- Traditional textbook curriculum with Biblical teaching woven throughout all the disciplines
- Choose from traditional textbooks, complete online solution, etextbooks, or a mixture of the three
- Costs about $850 (including teacher textbooks)
BookShark
- Grades PreK - 9 (eventually through grade 12)
- Secular and literature-based
- 4-Day homeschool week schedule
- Costs for full grade packages: around $700
Calvert School
- Grades K-8th (but expanding through High School one grade at a time beginning in 2014)
- Nondenominational program with a Christian undertone
- Provide everything including needed school supplies
Hands-on for parents in lower grades and then progressively self-instructional in the upper grades
Cost: approximately $1300-$1500
Class Homeschool from Christian Liberty
- Grades K-12
- Traditional textbook curriculum from a Biblical perspective
- Cost: approximately $500-$700
Clonlara School Home Based Education Program
- Nonsectarian program for grades K – 12
Geared for new homeschoolers, veterans, unschoolers, and more
Includes everything including transcripts and diploma from an accredited school - Relaxed program with choices on courses to study; program guidelines without pressure
Cost: Elementary - $780 AND High School $1000
Heart of Dakota
- Toddler – 8th Grade
- Hands on history based unit for families to do together
- You will need to add Math & Langauge Arts – they have recommendations that can be purchased easily at the same time
- Costs about $500
My Father’s World
- Grades Preschool – 12th Grrade
- Easy to use, hands on, literature based, Charlotte Mason inspired curriculum
- Focus on missions with Christian worldview woven throughout the entire curriculum
- Many subjects can be taught to a range of ages simultaneously
- Cost: about $550 (with core Social Studies & Science package which can be used by various siblings)
Oak Meadow School
- Nonsectarian program for grades K – 12
As well as curriculum materials, a class teacher is available for phone or email consultation
Hands-on learning for a wide variety of learning styles
Cost: Elementary $200+ AND High School $975+
Seton Home Study School
- Catholic program for grades K – 12
Includes workbooks, lesson guides, record-keeping services, and extensive phone and mail consultation services
Textbook-oriented learning focusing on traditional Catholic values
Cost: $495
Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd.
- Literature-based and Christian centered education for grades K – 12
Provides textbooks, curriculum, and supplies
18-week trial with full refund if not satisfied
Cost: Basic package from $800
Sycamore Academy
- Grades K-12
- Online or text book based Christian education
- Quarterly critiquing of child’s work, annual report card, and high school transcript
- Costs up to $1600 for high school online program
So Why Wouldn’t You Purchase a Boxed Homeschool Curriculum
As you’ve probably learned already, most everything has advantages and disadvantages. Although there are many advantages, there are some disadvantages too.
- Packaged homeschool curriculum can be very expensive
- They are generally more structured programs with less options for tailoring your child’s education to their interests.
- Some new homeschoolers go the route of a boxed curriculum thinking it will be easier. But the amount of books and structure involved can be overwhelming.
- Many choose to homeschool to leave the more “traditional” sit at the desk with a book approach
Getting the Best of Both Worlds
You may decide to pick and choose to get the best of both worlds. Take advantage of some rich curriculum without buying everything. Or enjoy customizing your own curriculum while kids are in elementary school and switch over to a more traditional approach that offers high school diplomas before your child enters high school.
As for our family, we are enjoying customizing our own curriculum during the elementary years. That allows me to customize our homeschool curriculum to my children’s interests. We’ve enjoyed Bob Jones Kindergarten Math, but don’t feel the need to purchase the super expensive teacher’s guide. We love the included lesson plans with My Father’s World reasonably priced Singapore Math, but we don’t use their complete package.
