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Two all-in-one homeschool curricula, compared on what actually decides the fit: subjects and math included, faith content, teaching style and how much you'll teach.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
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Compare for my child| Master Books | Abeka | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | PreK–12th | PreK–12th |
| Subjects | Separate packs for science, history/Bible/apologetics and language arts, plus its own math line (K-6 living math, high school algebra/geometry) — no single all-subjects box | Bible, math, language arts/grammar, spelling, reading, history, science/health (art, video academy sold separately) |
| Math | Sold as an add-on by the same publisher | Included |
| Faith | Christian worldview throughout | Christian worldview throughout |
| Approach | Charlotte-Mason-flavored, story-driven curriculum packs per subject; young-earth Christian worldview throughout | Traditional: textbooks/worktexts, drill and memorization, conservative Christian worldview |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Low (open-and-go daily schedule built into each curriculum pack) | Low (scripted teacher editions) but active daily teaching, esp. in early grades |
| Screen time | A mix of screen and paper | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | Available: master Books Academy offers supplemental videos for some courses, not required | None: this profile covers the books-only parent-led kit; Abeka Academy video is a separate accredited product |
| Cost | $170 est.: Grade 3 Math Lessons for a Living Education Level 3, plus one science pack and one history pack — bought separately, no single all-subjects price | $569: Grade 3 Homeschool Child Full-Grade Kit, all subjects incl. math |
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Independent reviewers are clear that Master Books is not a single boxed curriculum: science, history/Bible, apologetics and language arts are each sold as their own self-contained 'curriculum pack,' and math comes from a separate living-math line rather than being bundled in. Parents like the open-and-go daily schedules, full-color presentation and consistent young-earth Christian voice across every pack, and most describe layering two or three packs together plus math to build a full year rather than buying one box. The most common criticisms are a fixed 180-day schedule with no built-in flex days and occasional answer-key errors.
Parents who want structure like that Abeka spells out exactly what to do every day and covers every subject thoroughly, with especially strong phonics, arithmetic drill, and high-school science texts. The most common criticism is that it's worktext- and quiz-heavy, feeling dry and rote rather than exploratory, and that its history and science content pushes a strongly conservative, young-earth Christian viewpoint that some reviewers say oversimplifies or mischaracterizes topics like slavery.
Neither is better for every child. Master Books is the stronger fit for no, we'll add our own; literature-based read-alouds; charlotte mason. Abeka is the stronger fit for traditional textbooks and workbooks; one child at a time; mostly offline.
Master Books: sold as an add-on by the same publisher. Abeka: included.
Master Books: $170 est.: Grade 3 Math Lessons for a Living Education Level 3, plus one science pack and one history pack — bought separately, no single all-subjects price. Abeka: $569: Grade 3 Homeschool Child Full-Grade Kit, all subjects incl. math.
Summaries are in our own words.