Gather 'Round Homeschool Review: Creative, Christ-Centered & Chaos-Free?

Welcome to my Gather ‘Round Homeschool curriculum review—the deep dive you never knew you needed but are now totally here for. This isn’t just another boxed set with a mile-high pile of worksheets. Nope. Gather ‘Round is like the “cool aunt” of homeschool curriculums: creative, flexible, gospel-centered, and just a little artsy.

After years of reviewing curriculum (and building a small mountain of samples in my closet), Gather ‘Round popped up on my radar—and not just because of the gorgeous illustrations or the whole “teach all your kids at once” promise.

I’d heard buzz about it, and being a longtime curriculum nerd (and proud of it), I knew I had to check it out.

Also, full disclosure: I totally admire Rebecca Spooner, the mom and mastermind behind this curriculum. She’s like the cool homeschool mom who’s part artsy, part organized, and somehow manages to make unit studies look effortless.

So, I grabbed a cup of coffee, a couple of sample lessons, and got ready to dig in.

Here’s what I found.

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

Heads up: This Gather ‘Round Homeschool curriculum review contains affiliate links—because mama’s gotta fund her coffee and curriculum habits somehow. If you buy through these links, it won’t cost you extra, but it helps support this site. Thanks! ☕📚

What is Gather Round Homeschool?

Gather ‘Round Homeschool is a Christian unit studies curriculum designed to make homeschool life a whole lot simpler—and dare I say, even enjoyable.

It covers every subject except math, which is actually a win for families who want flexibility to pick their own math program (aka, the one your child doesn’t cry over).

Instead of teaching five different subjects to five different kids (while reheating your coffee for the fifth time), you get to teach all your children together—same topic, different levels.

It uses a thematic, integrated approach, which means everything connects: history, science, language arts, Bible… all wrapped into one beautiful lesson.

And the best part?

No crazy prep or Pinterest-worthy supply lists required. Just grab the teacher’s guide and go.

It’s basically the open-and-go dream of every exhausted homeschool parent.

Pros and Cons of Gather Round Homeschool

Like any homeschool curriculum, Gather ‘Round has its die-hard fans… and its “meh, not for us” crowd. It all comes down to your family’s vibe.

So let’s break it down.

The Pros: Why People Love It

✨ Creative Freedom Galore
Gather ‘Round is the opposite of rigid. If your kids suddenly get obsessed with volcanoes during a lesson on Earth science—you can run with it! No one’s going to stop you.

⏰ Time-Saver Approved
Whether you’re juggling toddlers or running a side hustle, this curriculum flexes with your day. Short on time? Keep it simple. Got extra energy? Dive deep.

🔍 Expand As You Like
There’s room to add in extra books, art projects, rabbit trails, or YouTube wormholes. (Let’s call that research, shall we?)

🎯 Kid-Directed Topics
Let the kids take turns choosing the next unit. Suddenly, they’re emotionally invested in school—and you get fewer groans and more grins.

💸 Budget-Friendly
At $30 a unit, it’s way cheaper than many all-in-one programs. And best of all, one purchase works for all your kids. No need to sell a kidney for curriculum.

📦 Format Flexibility
Love the smell of fresh-printed pages? Prefer everything digital and instant? You can have it your way—physical or digital, plus audio files too.

❌ The Cons: Why It Might Not Be Your Cup of Herbal Homeschool Tea

🚫 Not Accredited
If you need that official stamp of approval for transcripts or legal reasons, you’ll need to supplement or use another option alongside it.

📺 No Video Lessons
If your dream homeschool day involves your kids watching pre-recorded lessons while you sip coffee in peace… this ain’t that. It’s parent-led, not screen-led.

🌀 Too Loosey-Goosey?
If you crave structure and live by detailed schedules, Gather ‘Round might feel a bit like organized chaos. You can add structure, but it’s not built-in.

In a nutshell?

Gather ‘Round is fantastic for creative, flexible families who love to learn together, chase interests, and keep costs low. But if you’re looking for accreditation, strict schedules, or video teachers—this might not be the one.

What Christian Denomination Does It Most Closely Follow?

Gather ‘Round Homeschool is firmly rooted in a Christian Protestant worldview.

It weaves biblical truth and conservative values throughout each unit, making it a solid choice for Christian families who want their curriculum to reflect their faith—not just slap a Bible verse on the cover and call it a day.

So if you’re after a gospel-centered, Jesus-first education, you’ll likely feel right at home here.

What Do Reviews Say About It?

Over on Facebook, Gather ‘Round gets a solid 4.4 out of 5 stars, which is basically homeschool-parent speak for “We’re obsessed, but still need a few tweaks.”

The glowing reviews often rave about how it brings families together, makes learning more engaging, and helps parents breathe a little easier.

But—it’s not all sunshine and glitter gel pens.

Some reviewers mention frustrations with the returns policy or the ordering system, and there are a few grumbles about deleted negative comments, which can understandably raise eyebrows.

That said, the majority of feedback is overwhelmingly positive—like “this curriculum changed our homeschool!” kind of positive.

So definitely take the time to read through a range of reviews and decide for yourself.

What Grades and Subjects Does Gather ‘Round Cover?

Gather ‘Round is a Preschool-through-Grade-12 curriculum that covers everything… except math.

Which, honestly, some of us see as a perk. Because let’s face it—math is personal.

And picking your own homeschool math program means you can go full Charlotte Mason or traditional, depending on your family’s vibe.

(We use BJU Press math and love it.)

Every other subject, though? Covered.

Think: Bible, history, science, language arts, geography, art, and more—all woven into a single unit study, so your whole crew can learn together.

Can I Look at Samples First?

Yes, you absolutely can—and should.

Gather ‘Round offers a generous selection of samples so you’re not going in blind.

You can flip through actual lessons and get a real feel for how it flows before committing.

Here’s their samples page if you want to test-drive before buying. (Because we all know homeschool buyers’ remorse is a thing.)

How Much Does Gather ‘Round Homeschool Cost?

Let’s break it down—without making your eyes glaze over. Let’s take a look at their Grade 1 Full Year Bundle (prices as of April 2025)

📲 Digital Bundle

$238 USD
Includes 4 full units, each lasting 9 weeks (aka a full school year).
One price covers all your kids. You can print it as many times as your printer will allow before it collapses in protest.

📦 Physical Bundle

$238 USD for one student
$359 USD for two students
Plus shipping (because sadly, even beautiful books don’t teleport)

Wait… Why Is It More for Two Students?

Great question—and no, it’s not just curriculum inflation.

With physical bundles, you’re paying for extra printed workbooks for each child.

Because unlike digital, you can’t just photocopy one workbook for your whole crew without getting into trouble (and possibly a papercut lawsuit from your printer).

So if you’re a family that loves print and wants that “new book smell,” just know the price increases with the number of students.

But if you’re cool with printing it yourself, the digital version gives you unlimited access—and saves some cash.

What Homeschool Method Does it Most Closely Follow?

Gather ‘Round Homeschool is a classic unit studies curriculum—but with a twist of Charlotte Mason, a sprinkle of classical, and a dash of unschooling flair.

It’s like a homeschool smoothie, blended just right.

Unit studies basically mean you’re teaching multiple subjects through one central theme.

So instead of switching gears every 10 minutes (math! now science! now grammar!), you keep your focus and dive deep.

Example: Unit Studies in Action

Let’s say the unit is Ancient Egypt (which, let’s be real, is the one every kid gets weirdly obsessed with at some point).

Here’s how Gather ‘Round might roll with that:

History: Learn about pharaohs, pyramids, and ancient life
Geography: Trace the Nile, talk desert life
Language Arts: Read Egyptian myths and write your own legend
Art: Make your own cartouche or build a mini Sphinx
Hands-on: Maybe even mummify a Barbie (don’t judge—you know that sounds fun)

All while every kid, from your preschooler to your teen, is working at their own level on the same topic. It’s family learning at its finest.

Why Use Unit Studies at All?

Because trying to juggle five grades and seven subjects will eventually lead to you hiding in the pantry with a chocolate bar. 🍫

Unit studies simplify everything—they create connections across subjects, cut down on prep time, and make learning feel like one big story instead of a fragmented puzzle.

It’s one of the main reasons so many families are obsessed with Gather ‘Round.

Is Gather ‘Round Accredited?

Nope. Gather ‘Round is not an accredited program—and that’s by design.

To be accredited, a curriculum typically has to be tied to a school or institution.

And that doesn’t exactly jive with the whole “learn-at-your-own-pace, family-style” vibe that Gather ‘Round is going for.

So if you need accreditation for legal or future academic reasons, you’ll want to pair this with another option or look into umbrella schools.

Can I Get Gather ‘Round on Sale?

Oh yes—you sure can.

Gather ‘Round runs sales throughout the year, especially during homeschool convention season, Black Friday, and the start of the school year.

So if you’re eyeing it but not quite ready to hit “buy,” keep an eye out for promotions and coupon codes.

(Pro tip: join their email list or Facebook group to get notified.)

But, are you wondering how Gather ‘Round stacks up against some of the other big names in Christian homeschooling? Let’s do a little curriculum face-off!

📚 BJU Press vs Gather ‘Round

If you’re after a structured, teacher-led experience, BJU Press is like having a personal Christian teacher right in your living room.

It comes with video lessons, printed workbooks, and even accreditation—so it’s perfect for parents who want something more traditional, with a strong biblical worldview baked into every subject.

This is actually what I use with my own kids, and honestly—it’s just so easy.

I can say, “Off you go!” and they work through their lessons independently while I juggle the 47 other things on my to-do list.

(Shoutout to BJU for giving me back my sanity.)

Meanwhile, Gather ‘Round goes in a totally different (but also awesome) direction. It’s all about unit studies, family-style learning, and creative flexibility. Think learning through themed topics with hands-on projects, deep discussions, and cozy couch time.

BJU Press = structured, accredited, easy-to-use video lessons
Gather ‘Round = flexible, creative, unit-study fun for the whole family

👉 Check out BJU Press here.

🗺️ Notgrass vs Gather ‘Round

Notgrass is kind of like Gather ‘Round’s slightly more academic cousin.

It’s open-and-go, integrates history, geography, and literature, and lets you teach multiple children together—which is chef’s kiss for busy parents.

It also keeps everything in print, so if you love flipping through beautiful physical books (and hate printing PDFs), you’ll feel right at home.

Both programs use a unit studies approach and both come from a Christian worldview—but Notgrass leans a bit more traditional, while Gather ‘Round keeps things more flexible and creative.

👉 Check out Notgrass here.

🏛️ Memoria Press vs Gather ‘Round

This one’s like comparing a classical symphony to a jam session.

Memoria Press is all about that Classical method—think Latin, logic, structured lessons, and academic rigor. It’s available as accredited or unaccredited, and tends to appeal to families who love structure, routine, and a challenge.

Meanwhile, Gather ‘Round is more relaxed, more thematic, and definitely more artsy. If Memoria Press feels like a crisp uniform, Gather ‘Round feels like cozy pajamas and a notebook covered in doodles.

Memoria Press = structured, classical, academically rigorous
Gather ‘Round = integrated, flexible, hands-on

👉 Check out Memoria Press here.

Become a Pro at Homeschooling!

Want to become an expert at homeschooling?

You could take years to do it, or you could do the Homeschool Parenting Program.

This affordable online course for new homeschool parents is quick and will teach you everything you need to know about home education, including choosing a homeschool curriculum and organizing your homeschool.

Also, SUBSCRIBE to my informative YouTube channel, How to Homeschool, here.

Or you can look at these great articles:

You’re sure to find something you love here.

Choose a Curriculum by Homeschool Method

You may not know, but you can also choose a homeschooling curriculum based on the homeschool method you like best:

Classical Homeschool Programs – Compass Classroom and Memoria Press are both excellent here
Charlotte Mason Homeschool Programs – Checkout A Gentle Feast
Eclectic Programs – Look into My Father’s World
Unit Studies Homeschool Programs – Notgrass and Gather Round are great options

But there are other ways you might prefer to choose a program…

Choose a Homeschool Curriculum Another Way

People also like to choose based on these factors:

Self-Paced Programs
Open-and-Go Packages – BJU Press is excellent
Mastery-Based Programs

Or you can do it by subject:

Science options – I like Apologia
History and Geography options – I love Notgrass for these
Latin options – I love Compass Classroom Visual Latin here
Bible options – Check out Illuminate here.

God bless you on your homeschool journey!

The Bottom Line… Should You Gather ‘Round?

So, after all that, what’s the verdict?

Gather ‘Round Homeschool is a flexible, family-friendly curriculum that shines brightest for creative, Christ-centered families who want to learn together—and skip the one-size-fits-all approach.

Yes, it’s an investment—but if you’re teaching multiple kids, it can actually be a huge money-saver in the long run. And with its unit study format, beautiful design, and open-and-go style, it hits that sweet spot between structure and freedom.

If you’re dreaming of a homeschool day that feels more like connection and less like chaos—Gather ‘Round might just be your new favorite thing.

👉 Want to explore more? Check out the samples, follow their community, and see if it clicks for your crew.