BJU Press vs Abeka: Comparing Curriculum Programs -

Are you searching for a curriculum that not only provides a strong education for your child but also instills biblical values and morals? Look no further than Bob Jones University Press (BJU Press) and Abeka. These Christian-based homeschooling options offer a comprehensive range of educational materials for all major subjects, giving your child a solid foundation in traditional subjects while reinforcing the importance of faith in their daily lives. With BJU Press and Abeka Academy, you can ensure that your child’s education aligns with your family’s values, making homeschooling an enjoyable and fulfilling experience for all. But which one is better?

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post. If you want to do my course on how to homeschool, click here.

Let’s compare both programs below.

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What is the BJU Press Curriculum?

BJU Press offers an exceptionally high-quality homeschool experience for families looking for a Christian-based education that covers all major subjects, such as math, science, language arts, and history.

With its traditional and back-to-basics approach, the curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in essential subjects while instilling biblical principles and values throughout the material and lessons.

They promote a strong biblical worldview in all their materials.

With a wide range of format options, including traditional textbooks, e-textbooks, and online video lessons, BJU makes it easy for families to tailor their curriculum to their needs.

The curriculum is also supported by a range of resources such as an online teacher’s edition, answer keys, and test packs, as well as a toll-free customer service number, ensuring that families have access to the support they need.

This curriculum is also accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), guaranteeing a high quality of education.

What is the Abeka Curriculum?

Abeka is also a Christian-based homeschool curriculum provider that also offers educational materials for all major subjects, such as math, science, language arts, and history.

Abeka is known for its traditional homeschooling approach to education, emphasizing textbooks, workbooks, and traditional teaching methods such as lectures and memorization.

Abeka also offers various format options such as textbooks, teacher’s guides, and videos, and it also offers support through its customer service number, as well as online resources, including the grade-level scope and sequence charts and teacher’s handbooks.

They also have accreditation from the FACCS and MSA-CES.

The curriculum is designed explicitly for Christian homeschooling families.

It includes biblical principles and values throughout the material and lessons.

Abeka curriculum provides good-quality education aligned with the curriculum standards of the respective grade levels.

Like BJU Press, Abeka Academy offers video lesson versions and teacher-edition versions (the former lets teachers teach your child through videos; the latter lets parents teach the curriculum themselves).

Similar features of BJU Press vs Abeka

Some similar features between BJU Press and Abeka are:

Provides various format options, such as traditional textbooks, e-textbooks, and online video lessons.
Offers support options, such as a toll-free customer service number and online resources, including an online teacher’s edition, answer keys, and test packs.
Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI)
Both are American and teach American History, money, etc.

So you can see they’re pretty similar.

Different features of BJU Press vs Abeka

But, how are they different?

Abeka offers accreditation with an extra cost; BJU Press offers accreditation at no extra cost
BJU is higher quality
BJU pushes a biblical worldview a little more, though both programs are thoroughly Christian
Abeka has been around for a little longer, but BJU has been around for decades.
The support with BJU is generally considered to be much better
BJU is less expensive
BJU runs more free hotel events
Abeka updates their material less frequently than BJU

So, there are some significant differences between the two programs.

What Homeschool Method Do BJU Press and Abeka Use?

Both of these programs use the traditional homeschooling method.

The traditional homeschooling method (also called the school-at-home method) is a method of educating children at home, typically by parents or guardians, rather than in a formal school setting.

This method is often based on a curriculum that is similar to the one used in traditional schools and may include the use of textbooks, workbooks, and other educational materials.

The traditional homeschooling method often involves structured lessons and a set schedule, as well as regular assessments to track the child’s progress.

You can look at other traditional homeschooling programs here.

Are These Programs Spiral or Mastery-Based?

Abeka and BJU Press use a spiral-based approach to teaching mainly (but BJU Press can turn into a more mastery-based program with video lessons.)

The spiral approach refers to the way the material is taught. That is, concepts are introduced, reviewed, and reinforced cyclically.

This method is intended to help students retain information better by revisiting it multiple times throughout their education.

Cost of Abeka Vs BJU Press

Okay, let’s get down to dollars and cents. Many people think BJU Press is more expensive than Abeka.

But, it’s not [cheers and great rejoicing is heard!].

BJU is significantly cheaper than Abeka and has been for a while.

Below I compare Grade 1 BJU Press vs Abeka full curriculum sets.

BJU is $870 for a Grade 1 Curriculum
- + free shipping
- $969 for distance education
Abeka is $1,180 for a Grade 1 Curriculum
- accreditation costs extra (in this case $50 = $1,230)
- + free shipping

So, BJU Press is significantly less expensive.

Regular Material Updating?

BJU updates its materials on a more regular basis making its material more up-to-date than Abeka’s material.

Free Hotel Meetings: BJU Press Vs Abeka

BJU Press is more active in the community, helping them out and holding free hotel meetings. Abeka used to do this, but now they don’t.

Abeka only attends a few homeschool conventions during the year. BJU is present at many more of them and is more involved.

BJU Press and Abeka vs My Father’s World

Many people compare BJU and Abeka with My Father’s world. So, what’s the difference?

Abeka and BJU are known for using traditional teaching methods in their curriculum.

They focus on traditional values and offer a wide range of materials, including textbooks, workbooks, and test packets, for grades K-12. Their teaching method is based on a spiral-based approach, where concepts are introduced, reviewed, and reinforced cyclically.

This method is intended to help students retain information better by revisiting it multiple times over the course of their education.

My Father’s World (MFW), on the other hand, is known for using eclectic teaching methods, which means it combines different approaches and methods to provide a diverse and well-rounded education.

They use a literature-based approach, emphasizing hands-on, experiential learning and studying history as the foundation for all learning. They offer curriculum packages for grades K-12 that include various materials such as textbooks, readers, activity books, and maps.

They also use a chronological approach to teaching history. MFW is considered to have a more crafty and hands-on approach in its curriculum.

Other Great Christian Homeschool Curriculum Options

There are several other great Christian homeschool curriculum options available, in addition to Bob Jones University Press (BJU Press) and A Beka Academy. Some examples include:

Schoolhouse Teachers: Unlock the door to a world of educational possibilities with Schoolhouse Teachers – the ultimate online homeschool curriculum for students of all ages. With a wide range of subjects, including math, science, history, and language arts, this program provides everything your child needs to succeed. The courses are taught by experienced educators who have tailored the program to be easy for you and your child to navigate. Give your child the best chance to excel academically by investing in Schoolhouse Teachers today!
Memoria Press: Elevate your child’s education to new heights with Memoria Press – the premier provider of classical education curriculum. This program emphasizes the study of great books, the teaching of Latin, and the principles of mathematics, science, and literature, which provides a well-rounded education for your child. Memoria Press offers comprehensive curriculum packages for all grades, as well as individual courses for specific subjects to tailor and cater to your child’s needs. Give your child the gift of classical education, and invest in Memoria Press today!
Compass Classroom: Transform your child’s learning experience with Compass Classroom – the ultimate homeschool curriculum provider. With full-year curriculums for all ages, including high school, this program is designed to make learning more engaging and interactive by using living books, nature study, and hands-on activities. The Charlotte Mason method used in this program is proven effective and encourages students to have an active and curious mindset. Invest in Compass Classroom today and give your child the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.
Sonlight Curriculum: This program offers literature-based curriculum packages for all ages, as well as individual courses for specific subjects. It emphasizes the use of high-quality literature to provide an engaging and well-rounded education for students.
Veritas Press: This provider offers a classical education curriculum with a distinctly Christian perspective. It includes courses in logic, classical languages, Bible, and the history of Western Civilization.
Master Books: A provider that focuses on creationist materials and a biblically-based approach in their curriculum. They offer curriculum for all grade levels and subjects, including science, math, history, and literature.
Tapestry of Grace: This curriculum program uses a four-year cycle that covers world history from ancient times to modern. It’s designed to be used with students of all ages, as well as an array of subjects such as history, literature, and Bible.

All these curriculum providers offer a Christian-based approach to homeschooling and are designed to align with traditional Christian values. They are an excellent option for homeschooling families who want to provide a comprehensive education while maintaining a strong focus on faith and moral development.

Want to Learn About Homeschooling?

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Conclusion

In conclusion, BJU Press and Abeka are both excellent Christian-based homeschool curriculum options that provide a strong foundation in traditional subjects while instilling biblical values and morals. The choice between the two would largely depend on personal preferences and the specific needs of the student and the family. Check out both BJU and Abeka here.