An all-in-one curriculum (also called boxed curriculum) is a comprehensive homeschool package from a single publisher that includes materials for all core subjects, providing a complete educational program in one purchase.
What is All-in-One Curriculum?
All-in-one curriculum—sometimes called boxed curriculum or "school in a box"—refers to complete educational packages where one company provides everything needed for all subjects for an entire school year. These programs typically include student workbooks, teacher's guides with daily lesson plans, and often readers, manipulatives, or access to video instruction. Rather than researching and selecting individual programs for math, language arts, science, history, and other subjects, families purchase a single comprehensive package designed to work together as a cohesive educational program.
Key Takeaways
- Provides all core subjects from one publisher with coordinated materials and pacing
- Eliminates extensive curriculum research and planning for busy parents
- Typically costs $750-$1,500+ annually but includes everything needed
- Popular options include Sonlight, Abeka, BJU Press, and My Father's World
- Best suited for new homeschoolers and families wanting structured, complete programs
Popular All-in-One Options
Sonlight uses literature-based learning with real books and historical fiction across subjects. Abeka offers traditional workbook-based Christian instruction with optional video teachers. BJU Press provides structured textbook learning with video lessons and includes accreditation. My Father's World combines unit studies with hands-on activities. The Good and the Beautiful has gained popularity for its ease of use and offers free printable curriculum through grade 5. Each takes a different educational approach while providing complete subject coverage.
Advantages and Limitations
The primary advantage is simplicity. Parents receive detailed daily schedules, all necessary materials, and the confidence that subjects work together without gaps. Concepts often "braid" across disciplines—learning about ancient Egypt in history while reading Egyptian literature and studying related geography. The limitation is flexibility. All-in-one programs may not accommodate different learning paces across subjects, and switching out individual components can be awkward. Students who excel in math but struggle in reading may find themselves either bored or frustrated with lockstep pacing.
Cost Comparison
All-in-One vs. Eclectic Approach
Eclectic homeschoolers select different curricula for each subject based on their child's learning style and family preferences—perhaps Saxon math with Sonlight reading and a secular science program. This approach offers maximum customization but requires significant research, planning, and the risk of gaps or overlaps. Many families start with all-in-one curriculum for their first few years of homeschooling, then transition to eclectic choices as they gain confidence and better understand their children's needs.
The Bottom Line
All-in-one curriculum removes the guesswork from homeschool planning. For new homeschoolers or parents without time for extensive research, these packages provide a complete education with minimal decision-making. The tradeoff is less flexibility and higher upfront cost, though literature-based programs like Sonlight become more economical when books pass to younger siblings. Consider your family's needs honestly: if structure and simplicity matter most, boxed curriculum delivers. If you want to customize every subject, the eclectic path may serve you better.
