Abeka
Abeka is a Christian homeschool curriculum provider founded in 1972 that offers a traditional, structured approach to education from a Christian perspective. The program provides a comprehensive, faith-based education with materials designed for kindergarten through 12th grade, featuring textbooks, workbooks, video lessons, and other educational resources.
Program at a Glance
- Approach: Traditional approach with Christian worldview
- Grade Levels: K4-12th grade
- Subjects: Complete core curriculum plus electives
- Format: Parent-led instruction, video lessons, or hybrid approach
- Materials: Textbooks, workbooks, guides, video, digital resources
- Worldview: Christian
- Accredited: Available through Abeka Academy (FACCS)
About the Program
Abeka’s roots go back to 1954 when Dr. Arlin Horton and his wife, Beka, started a Christian school in Pensacola, Florida. They began developing their own educational materials based on a Biblical educational philosophy when they discovered that textbooks with this focus were becoming scarce.
The curriculum is designed with cross-subject integration, meaning what students learn in one subject is reinforced in other subjects. The program includes persistent review of previously learned material to strengthen retention.
Educational Philosophy
Abeka’s educational approach is grounded in a traditional Christian perspective, with materials and methods informed by Biblical principles. The program rejects progressive educational theories in favor of traditional teaching methods that emphasize instruction, review, adherence to a well-planned curriculum, teacher-directed learning, and character development.
Age Range
Abeka offers curriculum for students from K4 (preschool) through 12th grade. They provide specific materials for each grade level, with kindergarten options including both K4 and K5 programs.
Subjects
Abeka offers a complete curriculum covering all core academic subjects: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science/Health, History/Geography, as well as music, art, foreign languages, and other electives.
The high school program includes all required subjects for college preparation and graduation. For elementary and middle school, families can purchase full-grade kits or individual subject kits for language arts, arithmetic, science/health, or history/geography.
Flexibility
Flexibility varies by program option. The Independent Study (unaccredited) option provides more flexibility with scheduling, pacing, and assessment. Parents who choose this option can adjust the curriculum timing to meet their child’s needs, take breaks for travel, or provide extra time for challenging subjects.
Abeka also allows for an eclectic approach through their FlexTeach option, where families can choose which subjects to teach themselves and which to have taught through video lessons. This provides flexibility for parents who feel confident teaching certain subjects but prefer expert instruction for others.
The Accredited program follows a more structured schedule with specific deadlines and requirements for submitting work.
Parental Involvement
The level of parental involvement varies depending on which approach families choose. With the parent-led option, parents serve as the primary instructor using Abeka’s lesson plans and materials. The Abeka Academy video option reduces the teaching burden on parents, allowing them to function more as facilitators while master teachers provide instruction through video lessons.
For the video option, “master teachers lead the lessons on prerecorded videos. Parents provide follow-up and encouragement.”
Format
Abeka provides textbooks, workbooks, charts, flashcards, teacher keys, and video-based lessons for all grades and subjects.
The materials are designed to be comprehensive and easy to follow, making them accessible for homeschooling families who are just starting out. The curriculum uses a spiral approach, where concepts are introduced and then regularly reviewed and built upon in subsequent lessons.
Accreditation
Abeka Academy, the video-based program, offers an accredited option through the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (FACCS). This accreditation provides additional recognition through affiliations with the National Council of Private School Accreditation (NCPSA) and the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools (FAANS).
The accredited program provides official documentation including report cards, transcripts, and a diploma upon graduation. This can make it easier to meet state requirements and college admissions standards.
- K4 $465 / year
Independent study/unaccredited only
- K5 $882 / year
Accredited
- K5 $835 / year
Independent study/unaccredited
- Grades 1-6 $1,343 / year
Accredited
- Grades 1-6 $1,271 / year
Independent study/unaccredited
- Grades 7-12 $1,625 / year
Accredited
- Grades 7-12 $1,541 / year
Independent study/unaccredited
For families wanting a more customizable approach, The Abeka curriculum costs $1,074 for Grades 1-6 and $1,365 for Grades 7-12.
The price difference between Accredited and Independent Study (Unaccredited) is approximately $50 more for grades 1-6 and $59 more for grades 7-12.
Payment plans are available for purchases over $350, allowing families to spread payments over 6 or 10 months.
Overall Rating
The Homeschool Shopper Parent Ratings
Abeka’s reputation as a rigorous, structured, Christian homeschool curriculum is well-supported by parent reviews. Families who align with its traditional approach and Christian values often report positive experiences and good academic outcomes. However, its heavy workload, limited flexibility, and traditional teaching methods don’t work for all homeschooling families or learning styles.
Most reviewers suggest that prospective users carefully consider their educational philosophy, their children’s learning styles, and their family’s scheduling needs before committing to this curriculum. Many families find success with a hybrid approach—using Abeka for some subjects while incorporating other curriculum or teaching methods for others.
Leave a Review
Homeschooling families face no shortage of curriculum choices, but with those choices come significant financial decisions. As the cost of educational materials continues to rise, many families ask: Is Abeka worth the investment? Today, we’re diving deep into this popular Christian curriculum to help you determine if it delivers enough value for your homeschool budget.
The Bottom Line Up Front
For the budget-conscious homeschooler, Abeka represents a significant investment at $1,074-$1,365 per year for a complete grade curriculum. This places it among the more expensive homeschool options available. However, for many families, the comprehensive nature of the materials, rigorous academic standards, and Christian worldview integration justify the cost.
Breaking Down the Costs
Let’s look at what you’re actually paying for with Abeka in 2025:
- K4: $465 (Independent Study/Unaccredited only)
- K5: $835-$882 depending on accreditation
- Grades 1-6: $1,271-$1,343
- Grades 7-12: $1,541-$1,625
Single subjects are available at lower price points:
- Language Arts: $605-$640
- Math/Arithmetic: $490
- History: $490
- Science: $490
- Bible: $100
Payment plans are available for purchases over $350, which can spread costs over 6 or 10 months with a participation fee of $50-$85.
The Value Proposition: What You're Getting
Complete Package
Abeka provides everything you need without requiring additional resources—textbooks, workbooks, teacher guides, tests, and more. This “one-stop shopping” aspect can prevent the hidden costs that come with piecing together curriculum from multiple sources.
Time Value
For parents who work from home or have multiple children, the structured nature of Abeka and the video instruction option can save considerable time. As one parent noted, “Abeka Academy offers homeschool moms the ability to have a full-time teacher on site every single day,” which can free parents to focus on other responsibilities or income-generating activities.
Resale Potential
Abeka materials hold their value well in the homeschool resale market. Non-consumable textbooks and teacher materials can often be resold for 50-70% of their original price, effectively reducing your long-term investment.
Accreditation Option
The accredited program offers official transcripts and documentation at only $50-$59 more than the unaccredited version—a relatively small premium for the potential college application benefits.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives and Strategies
Not ready to commit to the full Abeka price tag? Consider these approaches:
1. The à la Carte Approach
Instead of purchasing the complete grade level, many budget-conscious families selectively use Abeka for their priority subjects. Language arts and Bible are particularly popular choices, with families supplementing with less expensive options for other subjects.
2. Buy Used, Sell Used
The active resale market for Abeka materials makes buying used a smart option. Look for:
- Gently used non-consumable textbooks
- Teacher editions and guide books
- Previous edition materials (often functionally identical)
Remember to keep your materials in good condition to maximize resale value when you’re finished.
3. FlexTeach Hybrid
Abeka’s FlexTeach approach allows you to purchase video instruction only for challenging subjects while teaching the rest yourself. This can significantly reduce costs while still providing expert support for subjects you’re less comfortable teaching.
4. Share Costs With Other Families
Some families form small co-ops to share the expense of Abeka materials, particularly the video lessons. This works especially well for families with children of different ages.
When Abeka Is Worth Every Penny
Based on parent reviews and cost analysis, Abeka delivers the most value for:
- Families transitioning from private school who want a similar structured experience
- Working parents who need a curriculum that requires minimal planning
- College-bound students who benefit from the rigorous academic preparation
- Parents seeking comprehensive Christian worldview integration across all subjects
When Your Budget Might Be Better Spent Elsewhere
Abeka may not represent the best value for:
- Families with multiple children close in age (the non-reusable workbooks multiply costs)
- Eclectic homeschoolers who prefer to customize their approach
- Students with alternative learning styles who need hands-on or creative approaches
- Families on very tight budgets who could achieve similar results with less expensive options
Cost-Effective Compromises
If you love aspects of Abeka but can’t justify the full cost, consider these hybrid approaches:
- Core + Supplement Model: Use Abeka for your most valued subjects (often Bible and Language Arts) and supplement with lower-cost options like free online resources or library books for other subjects.
- Skip the Video, Keep the Books: The textbooks and workbooks without the video component are significantly less expensive while still providing the structure and Christian content.
- Stretch the Timeline: Some families spread one grade level over 18 months instead of 12, effectively reducing the annual cost by 33%.
- Digital When Possible: Opt for digital versions of materials when available to reduce costs and eliminate shipping fees.
The Bottom Line
Abeka delivers solid academic value and comprehensive Christian education, but at a premium price point. For families who prioritize structure, Biblical integration, and academic rigor—and who have the budget to match—it represents a worthwhile investment with good resale potential.
For budget-conscious families, selective use of Abeka for your highest priority subjects combined with less expensive options for others may deliver the best overall value. The key is determining which aspects of the curriculum are most important to your family’s educational goals and focusing your budget there.
Remember that the most valuable curriculum is the one that works for your unique family—regardless of price tag. Investing time in understanding your children’s learning styles before investing money in any curriculum will always yield the best return on your homeschool dollar.