There are many reasons to use an all-in-one homeschool curriculum and the best reason is that all the planning is done for you. Whether you’re new, feel like you don’t have time to lesson plan, or just need a teaching break, you’ll want to know these boxed curriculum providers or all-in-one homeschool curriculum providers.
What Is an All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum
First things first. There is a lot of confusion that swirls around the definition of what is an all-in-one curriculum. It is the same as a boxed curriculum. That may not tell you anything either because you may think that means it comes in a box. It may or may not.
Look at my easy definition below so you sound like a seasoned veteran when you curriculum shop.
The Definition of an All-In-One or Boxed Homeschool Curriculum
An all-in-one homeschool curriculum or boxed curriculum means that all of your core subjects like the 3 Rs and content subjects like science and history are included in the program.
It means just what it says in that all of your basic subjects are covered. In addition, most all-in-one providers have teacher’s manuals or teacher notes along with suggested schedules on how to cover the material.
Like a boxed cake mix, the curriculum comes with everything you need to begin homeschooling for a school year. Normally, you need very little extra supplies to start.
The curriculum may consist of part physical books, part online, part dvd, or all physical book or all on line.
A lot of the options with this approach can be considered public school at home or workbook approach.
However, all-in-one curriculum providers have really changed since I’ve started and some take another homeschool approach like Charlotte Mason or even a unit study type of approach.
Because accredited has nothing to do with the rigor of the curriculum, you’ll want to be sure to read Accreditation Removing the Shroud of Mystery.
Advantages of All-In-One or Boxed Curriculum
Additionally, it’s important to understand the advantages of an all-in-one to see if it’s a good fit.
- It’s all laid out which means the lesson planning is done. Some new homeschoolers are not comfortable with their freedom to homeschool and feel better having a pattern to follow.
- Contrary to popular belief, they can save you money in the long run because you learn what you like or don’t like about teaching. You don’t spend years switching curriculum because you took the time to learn how to teach.
- Not having to worry about lesson planning frees up your time to hone in on the weaknesses of your children that may need to be addressed this year.
- Most companies provide you with a schedule on how to fit it all in for the day. It can be a great guide for time management and you can avoid the stress of over planning.
- If you live in a state that has stricter homeschooling laws, an all-in-one curriculum can help you to comply with the laws of you state.
There are some disadvantages to any curriculum, but I’ll save those for another time because I want you to see the plethora of choices. I’ll add a few notes as I go along too.
And if I have a savings for one or two below, I’ll let you know too.
Choosing Curriculum When You’re New
Workbook Approach You Know in Public School
And remember these are curriculum providers NOT schools!
*Unless noted all of these are a traditional or workbook approach.
* Also, don’t be uniformed because curriculum is not accredited, only schools. Be sure you read my post about accreditation above if you need to understand the difference.
A Beka.
- Christian
- PK to 12
- Accredited or Independent Study
- Print-based and computer-based
A.C.E. (Accelerated Christian Education).
- Christian
- K to 12
- Accredited
- Colorful printed packs enhanced with CDs, DVD and computer software
Also look at my video What Is An All In One Homeschool Curriculum a k a Boxed Curriculum
Acellus.
- Faith-free i.e. Secular
- K to 12
- Computer based online
- Note: Homeschoolers have a love hate relationship with them. Some lessons are short and to the point, others seem overly easy or unnecessarily complicated. There are glitches at time and scheduling seems to be a problem. Overall, homeschoolers like the flexibility of homeschooling when they want to just login and go.
Alpha Omega LifePac., Switched-on Schoolhouse.
Alpha Omega Horizons.
Alpha Omega Weaver.
(Note: You save 10% by buying it from the Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op). Four different programs with different approaches and purposes from the same publisher.
- Christian
- K to 12
- Accredited
- Note: Weaver is a unit study approach and not a workbook-based approach.
- Print-based, computer-based, and online homeschooling curriculum.
Bob Jones Press.
- Christian
- K3 to 12
- Accredited
- Print-based and video-based
Easy Peasy All In One.
- Christian
- PK to 12
- Note: This is completely FREE and I will suggest it at times for new or struggling homeschoolers to start with this to see what will work and not work for you as the investment is only your time and whatever you choose to print.
- Note: Easy Peasy All in One is a Charlotte Mason approach with a gentle workbook based approach.
- Computer-based online.
Designed by Lee Giles beginning 2011 as she put assignments down for her children and saved them for the younger ones. It has grown in popularity over the years.
BookShark.
- Faith-free i.e. Secular
- K to 12
- Print-based and some items computer- based
- Note: BookShark is a literature-based approach.
Calvert Education.
- Faith-free i.e. Secular
- PK to 12
- Accredited
- Print-based or digital-only format with e-textbooks.
Christian Light Education.
- Christian
- K to 12
- Print-based
Christian Liberty Press.
- Christian
- PK to 12
- Accredited
- Print-based
MasterBooks.
- Christian
- PK to 12
- Print-based (committed to putting ink on paper) or pdf downloads for about 90% of the products
- mix and match bundles
Moving Beyond the Page
- Faith-free i.e. Secular
- PK to 12
- Print-based or computer-interface and you print lessons.
- Note: Moving Beyond the Page is a literature-based unit study approach with a twist of classical, Montessori and unschooling approaches.
- mix and match bundles
My Father’s World.
Christian
- PK to 12
- Print-based
- Note: My Father’s World is a Charlotte Mason approach with a unit study twist.
Oak Meadow.
- Faith-free i.e. Secular
- PK to 12
- Print-based
- Accredited
- Note: Oak Meadows incorporates nature-based learning and a Waldorf influenced approach.
Rod and Staff.
- Christian
- 1 to 10. (Their belief affects grade level meaning they feel most concepts should be learned by tenth grade.)
- Print-based
Sonlight.
- Christian
- PK to 12
- Print-based
- Note: Sonlight is literature-based with a Charlotte Mason approach.
- mix and match bundles
The Good and the Beautiful.
- Non-denominational Christian
- PK to 12
- Print-based
- Note: Follows a Charlotte Mason approach.
Time4Learning.
- Faith-free i.e. Secular
- PK to 12
- Computer-based online
Timberdoodle.
- Faith-free i.e. Secular AND Christian options
- PK to 12
- print-based
- mix and match bundles
Veritas Press.
- Christian
- K to 12
- Print-based and online courses
- Note: Veritas Press is literature-based with a Classic approach.
WinterPromise.
- Christian
- K to 12
- Print-based and pdf. option
- Note: WinterPromise is literature-based with a Charlotte Mason and unit study approach.
Homeschool Providers Worthy of Mention
Add a subject or two to make them complete.
These curriculum providers below are also popular because of their flexibility and excellent literature quality.
They require maybe one or two subjects to make them complete. I’m putting them here so you can have them as an option.
Beautiful Feet Literature.
- Christian
- K to 12
- Print-based and downloadable pdf.
- Note: Beautiful Feet is literature-based with a unit study focus on history.
- Need to purchase: Math program and depending on your child you may need to purchase a composition, grammar, and spelling program.
Build Your Library.
- Faith-free i.e. Secular
- PK to 10. TBA 11, 12
- Downloadable teachers guide, you buy your own literature
- Note: Literature-based with a Charlotte Mason and eclectic approach.
- Need to purchase: Math program and depending on your child’s need you may need to purchase separate spelling and grammar programs.
Torch Light.
- Faith-free i.e. Secular
- K and 1 only available now
- Downloadable teachers guide, you buy your own literature
- Note: Literature-based with a Charlotte Mason and eclectic approach.
- Need to purchase: Math program and depending on your child’s need you may need to purchase separate spelling and grammar programs.
You’ll also love these other tips:
- BEST Digital Homeschool Curriculum – Big Ol’ List
- 10 Affordable and Complete Homeschool Kindergarten Curriculum
- Best High School Homeschool Curriculum Packages (Accredited and Not Accredited)
- Which One is Really the Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum (a comparison)
- 8 Components of a Boxed Curriculum
- How to Use a Boxed Curriculum without Giving Up Your Homeschool Approach
- The Big List of Unit Study Hands-on (and Hands-off) Curriculum
Melissa Garrett says
Wow! Finally! A comprehensive, straightforward list to help me get started! I’ve honestly looked everywhere, and everything is so convoluted that I had almost given up. This was the most helpful site out of soooooo many that I have viewed. Thank you for the awesome info!
Tina Robertson says
Hi Melissa,
I’m so happy you found it helpful. I hear ya about convoluted. I like simple and straightforward and hopefully understanding the changes I’ve seen in 20+ years will help you make the right choice. Happy to have you here ♥♥
Emily says
Bju vs. Abeka accredited boxed???
Tina Robertson says
Hey Emily,
I always preferred BJU because it was so more appealing besides rigorous and easy to use.