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Homeschooling offers unparalleled flexibility to tailor education to a child’s unique needs, interests, and learning style. One of the most significant decisions homeschooling parents face is whether to use a pre-packaged homeschool curriculum or curate their own. Both approaches have distinct advantages and challenges, and the best choice depends on your family’s goals, preferences, resources, and lifestyle. Here, I’ll compare all in one and curated curricula, incorporating one mom’s perspective on using an all in one curriculum from Memoria Press and my own experience curating a curriculum for my own children. You’ll also find sections on the top three all-in-one homeschool curriculum and resources for finding reviews to curate a homeschool curriculum.

Understanding Curated & All In One Homeschool Curriculum

An all in one homeschool curriculum is a pre-packaged solution that provides everything needed for a school year, organized by grade level. These packages include teacher’s manuals, student workbooks, daily task lists, and supplementary materials like literature, art, and music. Providers like Memoria Press, Abeka, and Sonlight offer comprehensive programs covering core subjects (math, reading, writing, science, history) and often include enrichment like poetry or Bible studies. Everything you need arrives on your doorstep. In short, no hassle, no fuss.

A curated curriculum is built by a parent who selects individual resources for each subject. These can include a single subject that is pre-packaged. For example, I use a traditional math program from Singapore, history curriculum from Mystery of History, and a classical curriculum for writing. As for enrichment subjects, I choose the poetry and reading materials we will study, as well as the art, science, and music that are all inspired by Charlotte Mason’s literature-rich approach or Waldorf’s hands-on, artistic methods. Curating allows for maximum customization but requires time, research, and planning. In short, the flexibility to adapt daily and blend styles allows for maximum tailoring.

All In One Homeschool Curriculum: One Mom’s Perspective

A few weeks ago, I reached out to my friend and asked her to share her experience using Memoria Press. It’s a classical all in one homeschool curriculum. When she was preparing to homeschool her eldest son, she spoke about attending a homeschool curriculum fair. Her exuberance about finding Memoria Press matched my enthusiasm when I find the perfect curriculum for one of our subjects. After a couple years of using an all in one homeschool curriculum and with a couple of kiddos, her perspective highlights the strengths and challenges of this approach.

Pros of All In One Homeschool Curriculum

1. Thorough and Time-Tested Education
   All in one curricula ensure a comprehensive education. The mom notes, “I know that my child is going to get a thorough, classical education with the pre-packaged materials.” Programs like Memoria Press are refined through teacher feedback, ensuring quality. Unlike curated curricula, which rely on the parent’s ability to source materials, pre-packaged options offer consistency, ideal for parents seeking reliability.
2. Structured and Ready-to-Use
   For parents without lesson-planning experience, pre packaged curricula provide teacher’s manuals, workbooks, and daily task lists. “For box-checkers, this style of homeschool is much more freeing.” the mom says. This structure minimizes planning, ensuring no subject is overlooked, which is great for busy parents or ones who don’t enjoy the planning.
3. Flexibility Within Structure
   All in one curricula allow some customization. “You always have the freedom to use different materials,” the mom explains, noting that parents might use Memoria Press for most subjects but choose a different math program. This balance maintains a solid core with room for personalization. After perusing Memoria Press’s website, I found that they even have the option to customize before check out so you can exclude some subjects before purchase. Not a fan of their math? Leave it off and spend it towards a different pre-packaged, singular math curriculum!
4. All-Inclusive Enrichment
   These curricula include art, music, poetry, and read-alouds, saving time. “For parents that want their child to receive a good education but do not necessarily want to spend time finding artwork, music selections, beautiful read-alouds, an all in one homeschool curriculum has it all,” says the mom. This is a major advantage over curating, where enrichment requires continued research.
5. Robust Support System
   Pre-packaged curricula offer strong support. “The support system is phenomenal. There are Facebook groups of moms all utilizing the same curriculum, as well as conferences you can attend,” the mom highlights. Online forums and phone support help with lesson struggles or skill assessments, which is invaluable for new homeschoolers.

Cons of All In One Homeschool Curriculum

1. Overwhelming Task Lists
   The comprehensive nature can feel daunting. “Some people may feel like they must do EVERYTHING on the task list for the day. It can feel overwhelming!” the mom says. Daily tasks often include core subjects plus music, art, and poetry, which can become a chore if not paced.
2. Rigid Structure
   The structure can be restrictive. “It is very rigid and structured. Depending on the personality of the teacher, this could be a challenge,” the mom notes. Personally, I’d find this rigidity overwhelming, as I love the flexibility of curating to adapt our day-to-day schedule and blend styles like traditional math with Charlotte Mason’s nature studies.
3. High Cost
   Pre-packaged curricula are expensive, costing $750–$1000 per year for the first student and around $200 per additional student. This is a significant investment compared to curated curricula, which can use affordable or free resources.
4. Lack of Control
   Pre-designed curricula may feel limiting. “Since you’re not curating it yourself, you may feel like you’re not totally in control,” the mom says. As someone who curates, I value the control to tailor each subject’s style and source.
5. Financial Risk of Switching
   If the curriculum doesn’t work, switching is costly. “The financial cost of that decision is high (although you can resell used materials to an extent),” the mom explains. Curating avoids this risk, as I can swap resources incrementally.
6. Overwhelming Materials
   The volume of materials can be intimidating. “It comes in the mail with what seems like a hundred workbooks. It seems excessive and can be overwhelming,” the mom says. This contrasts with curating, where I select only what we need, keeping our materials manageable. It also usually arrives staggered over a month because I research and plan subject by subject.

Curated Homeschool Curriculum: My Perspective

As a homeschooling parent, I curate my children’s curriculum because I love the flexibility it provides. Our math is taught traditionally, with workbooks and drills for structure, history uses a textbook with plenty of supplemental books and maybe a video. Other subjects embrace Charlotte Mason’s literature-rich, nature-focused approach or Waldorf’s artistic, hands-on methods. For example, we read classic literature for language arts, Writing with Ease, and use structured nature walks for science. This blend keeps our days varied and engaging, allowing us to adapt based on what season of life we’re in. I’d feel overwhelmed by the rigidity of an all in one curriculum, as it wouldn’t accommodate our dynamic, eclectic style.

Pros of Curated Curriculum

1. Maximum Customization
   Curating lets me tailor each subject to my children’s needs and our goals for individual subjects. In addition, this allows for child-led learning. Especially as my kiddos grow I want to encourage them to pursue what interests them. Curating allows us to emphasize certain subjects when wanted, while others may be skimmed. 
2. Cost-Effective
   Curated curricula can be budget-friendly. I use free library books, online printables, and affordable programs like Singapore Math, keeping costs far below the $750–$1000 of pre-packaged curricula. This makes curating accessible for any budget. Instead I can spend this money on field trips, craft supplies, and extra-curriculars. 
3. Adaptability
   I can easily swap resources if something isn’t working. For example, if a science unit feels dry, I switch to hands-on experiments without financial loss. This adaptability contrasts with the high cost of abandoning a part of an all in one homeschool curriculum.
4. Empowering and Creative
   Curating is rewarding, letting me engage deeply with my children’s education. Researching resources and blending styles like Charlotte Mason and Waldorf feels creative and empowering, aligning with my vision for a holistic homeschool. I enjoy this planning and research to find the best source for each subject. However, not all parents will find joy and may run into doubt of their own ability to give their child a solid and well-rounded education. And ultimately, just the act of homeschooling allows you to engage with your child’s education in a way that sending them to school would not!
5. Freedom
   Is your life unpredictable? If the seasons of your life change frequently like mine do then having a curated curriculum is freeing. We do not feel constrained to follow a rigid syllabus which allows us to tackle subjects and materials in long clumps and then take time off from some topics but continue others.

Cons of Curated Curriculum

1. Time-Intensive Planning
   Curating requires significant research and organization. Unlike pre-packaged curricula, I create lesson plans and schedules, which can be time-consuming, especially when balancing multiple subjects and styles.
2. Inconsistent Quality
   The mom using Memoria Press noted, “If it depends upon the parent to curate the materials used, the quality of the education will depend solely upon the parent’s ability to find the best materials.” Without experience and patiently wading through the various sources, parents may choose subpar resources.
3. Lack of Centralized Support
   Curated curricula lack the dedicated support of pre-packaged programs. While there are general homeschooling communities on Facebook, they’re less cohesive than Memoria Press’s Facebook groups or conferences. Personally, I do not seek support from groups in this capacity. I enjoy these groups for inspiration but the curriculums I choose for our subjects I have been very confident teaching from or can easily look up a solution online.
4. Risk of Overlooking Subjects
   Without a framework, I must ensure all subjects, including enrichment like art or music, are covered. Pre-packaged curricula include these automatically, but curating requires deliberate planning. Luckily there are books to help with this including Home Learning Year By Year by Rebecca Rupp
5. Potential for Overwhelm
   The abundance of resources—books, online programs, printables—can lead to decision fatigue. Because I enjoy the process and begin planning well in advance, I do not feel overwhelmed. However, I can see the  math programs or literature lists seeming like a mountain to climb, unlike the streamlined all in one approach.

Top 3 All In One Homeschool Curriculum

For parents considering a pre-packaged homeschool curriculum, here are three highly regarded options, known for their comprehensive, all-in-one approach:

1. Memoria Press
   • Overview: A classical curriculum emphasizing literature, Latin, and critical thinking, used in schools and homes.
   • Pros: Thorough, time-tested, with strong support via forums and conferences. Includes enrichment like poetry and art.
   • Cons: Expensive ($750–$1000/year) and rigid, which may not suit flexible families.
   • Best For: Parents seeking a structured, classical education with minimal planning.
2. Sonlight
   • Overview: A literature-based curriculum with a Christian worldview, focusing on read-alouds and history.
   • Pros: Engaging, flexible, with customizable subject options. Strong focus on literature fosters a love of reading.
   • Cons: Heavy reading load may overwhelm young learners. Costs $800–$1000/year.
   • Best For: Families who love literature and want a Christian perspective with some flexibility.
3. Abeka
   • Overview: A traditional, Christian curriculum with a focus on academics and memorization, offering both books and online options.
   • Pros: Rigorous, structured, with video lessons for support. Covers all core subjects thoroughly.
   • Cons: Fast-paced and workbook-heavy, which may feel rigid. Costs $700–$900/year.
   • Best For: Parents who prefer a traditional, school-like approach with strong academics.

Resources to Curate a Homeschool Curriculum

Curating a curriculum requires research to ensure quality. But before we get there, do you know which subjects you want to plan out. Or what your schedule will look like if you choose to curate? I recommend this post: The Best Homeschool Schedule.

Here are four top resources for finding reviews and recommendations:

1. Determine What Your Child Needs to Know:
   • Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School by Rebecca Rupp.
   • What Your Child Needs to Know When: According to the Bible, According to the State: with Evaluation Check Lists for Grades K-8 by Robin Sampson.
   • The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Wise Bauer.
2. Cathy Duffy Reviews
   • Overview: A trusted homeschooling expert, Cathy Duffy provides detailed reviews of curricula across subjects and styles.
   • How to Use It: Browse her website for reviews of math, science, or literature programs, with insights on learning styles and grade levels. Her “Top Picks” list is a great starting point.
   • Why It’s Helpful: Offers objective, in-depth analysis to guide resource selection.
3. The Homeschool Mom
   • Overview: A comprehensive website with curriculum reviews, planning tips, and community forums.
   • How to Use It: Check the “Curriculum Reviews” section for parent feedback on programs like Singapore Math or Charlotte Mason resources. Join forums to ask questions.
   • Why It’s Helpful: Combines reviews with practical advice, ideal for eclectic curators like me.
4. Homeschool Mom Flip Throughs
   • Overview: Many moms who have used various single subject curriculums share their reviews on Youtube. 
   • How to Use It: Whenever I am researching a subject I gather a few different sources in the evening. Then the next day, I’ll search for and watch videos of moms doing flip throughs when I’m washing dishes. 
   • Why It’s Helpful: They share the structure, timeline, what has and hasn’t worked for their family. Usually by the end of the day I know exactly where I’ll be sourcing a subject.
5. Homeschool Curriculum Groups and Forums
   • Overview: Online communities like Well-Trained Mind forums, Reddit’s r/homeschool, or Facebook groups offer parent reviews and recommendations.
   • How to Use It: Search for threads on specific curricula or post questions about resources for Waldorf or traditional math. Engage with experienced homeschoolers for tailored advice.
   • Why It’s Helpful: Provides real-world insights from parents using diverse resources.

Comparing the Two Approaches

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

• Ease of Use: All in one curricula are plug-and-play, while curated curricula require planning but offer daily flexibility, which I love for blending styles.
• Cost: All in one curricula cost $700–$1000/year; curated curricula can be nearly free with library resources and community opportunities.
• Customization: Curated curricula excel in personalization (e.g., my traditional math and Waldorf crafts), while all in one homeschool curriculum offer a core with some flexibility.
• Support: all in one curricula have centralized support; curated rely on general communities.
• Risk: all in one curricula risk financial loss if unsuitable; curated risk quality issues if poorly planned.
• Enrichment: All in one include enrichment subjects. Curated require sourcing but allow tailored selections as well. 

Which Is Right for You?

Your choice depends on your needs, confidence, and budget:

• Choose All In One If:
  • You prefer minimal planning.
  • You want a structured, comprehensive education with enrichment.
  • You’re willing to invest financially for reliability and support.
  • You thrive on structure, like my friend.
• Choose Curated If:
  • You want flexibility to blend styles, like how I structure our traditional math with other Charlotte Mason and Waldorf inspired subjects.
  • You’re on a budget and can use free resources.
  • You enjoy planning and tailoring education to your child’s interests.
  • You prefer a child-led, adaptable approach, as I do to avoid feeling overwhelmed by rigidity.

Tips for Success

• All In One: Pace tasks to avoid overwhelm, use support groups, and customize where needed.
• Curated: Plan core subjects and enrichment, use review resources like Cathy Duffy, and stay flexible to follow your child’s interests.

Conclusion

Choosing between an all in one homeschool curriculum and a curated one is a personal decision. My friend thrives on structure while my family’s seasons of life change frequently based on the time of year. Overall, whichever you choose, know that by simply choosing to homeschool you already have the best of intentions for your child. This coupled with determination and a vision for your homeschool, your child’s education is in the best of hands.

All in one options like Memoria Press, Sonlight, and Abeka offer that structure, reliability, and support but are costly and rigid, which I’d find overwhelming. Curating, as I do, provides flexibility to keep our homeschool eclectic, this keeps our homeschool dynamic and budget-friendly, though it requires planning. By exploring top curricula and review resources, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your family’s needs, ensuring a joyful and effective homeschooling experience.

Curious what the different homeschooling styles are and where you fit? Knowing this can help you determine which all in one homeschool curriculum is right for you or what to look for when curating various subjects. Read this post next to help you decide: Homeschool Methods.