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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
Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.
Compare for my child| Sonlight | Abeka | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | PreK–12th | PreK–12th |
| Subjects | History, Bible, literature, language arts, science, math (choice of program) | Bible, math, language arts/grammar, spelling, reading, history, science/health (art, video academy sold separately) |
| Math | Included | Included |
| Faith | Christian worldview throughout | Christian worldview throughout |
| Approach | Literature-based: history, Bible and read-alouds anchor every subject | Traditional: textbooks/worktexts, drill and memorization, conservative Christian worldview |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Low (scripted daily Instructor's Guides do the planning) | Low (scripted teacher editions) but active daily teaching, esp. in early grades |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | None: no video instruction; parent-led read-alouds and discussion | None: this profile covers the books-only parent-led kit; Abeka Academy video is a separate accredited product |
| Cost | $1,128.65: Grade 3 (Level C) All-Subjects Package incl. Bible/history/literature, language arts, science and Math-U-See math, at Sonlight's 20% package discount | $569: Grade 3 Homeschool Child Full-Grade Kit, all subjects incl. math |
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Parents consistently praise Sonlight's book selections and the fact that daily plans are already built, letting them open the guide and teach with almost no prep. The most common complaint is the sheer volume of daily read-alouds, which can feel relentless for busy or reluctant-reading families, and some feel the schedule leaves little room to swap in different books once the year is underway.
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. Sonlight is the stronger fit for literature-based read-alouds; charlotte mason; yes, siblings together. Abeka is the stronger fit for traditional textbooks and workbooks; one child at a time; some.
Sonlight: included. Abeka: included.
Sonlight: $1,128.65: Grade 3 (Level C) All-Subjects Package incl. Bible/history/literature, language arts, science and Math-U-See math, at Sonlight's 20% package discount. Abeka: $569: Grade 3 Homeschool Child Full-Grade Kit, all subjects incl. math.
Summaries are in our own words.