Calvert is one of the oldest homeschool curricula in America, offering secular, accredited K-12 education through print materials (K-2) and online courses (3-12) with comprehensive lesson plans requiring minimal parent preparation.
What is Calvert?
Calvert traces its roots to 1897 when Calvert School opened in Baltimore, Maryland. The homeschool division launched in 1905 under headmaster Virgil Hillyer, making it among the first correspondence curricula ever created—originally serving American children living abroad. Today, Calvert offers complete K-12 programs: print-based materials for grades K-2 and online courses for grades 3-12. The curriculum takes a mastery-based approach with step-by-step lesson plans designed to minimize parent preparation. An optional accredited school program, Calvert Academy, provides official transcripts and diplomas. The curriculum is entirely secular, teaching evolution and old-earth science without religious content.
Key Takeaways
- Founded in 1897—over 125 years of curriculum development
- Secular, mastery-based program with minimal parent prep time
- K-2 uses print materials; grades 3-12 are primarily online
- Calvert Academy option provides full accreditation and diplomas
- Premium pricing: $160-380 for curriculum, $1,500-3,200 for accredited school
What You Get
Calvert's K-2 print packages arrive as complete boxes containing teacher guides, student worktexts, resource books, and hands-on materials. Daily preparation drops to 5-15 minutes because lesson plans spell out exactly what to do. Grades 3-12 shift online with 45+ courses featuring videos, interactive exercises, and multimedia content. Each course from K-8 includes 160 lessons plus 20 review lessons with built-in assessments. The program integrates subjects thoughtfully—a 5th grader studying the Civil War in history simultaneously analyzes Walt Whitman's poetry in language arts. Audio read-aloud options support struggling readers or auditory learners.
Accreditation Through Calvert Academy
Calvert Academy operates as a separate accredited online private school using the Calvert curriculum. It holds regional accreditation through Cognia (NCA CASI and SACS CASI)—the same accrediting bodies that evaluate many public and private schools. Students receive official transcripts, grades are recorded, and graduates earn recognized diplomas. Credits transfer easily to other schools. The Academy is NCAA-approved for student athletes. This matters for families who want homeschool flexibility with traditional school credentials. The tradeoff is cost: Academy tuition runs $1,500-3,200 annually versus $160-380 for curriculum alone.
Is the Premium Price Worth It?
Calvert costs significantly more than alternatives like Time4Learning ($20-30/month) or free options like Khan Academy. The value proposition comes down to what you're buying: a complete, structured, secular program with proven longevity, minimal parent preparation, and optional accreditation. Families with multiple children working at different levels appreciate the flexibility to adjust subjects by ability. Traveling families value the self-paced online format. Those with learning differences benefit from audio supports and the Verticy Learning Program for dyslexia. For families who can afford it and value what Calvert delivers, reviewers consistently say it's worth the investment.
The Bottom Line
Calvert offers something increasingly rare in homeschooling: a complete, coherent program backed by over a century of refinement. The secular approach suits families wanting rigorous academics without religious content. The minimal prep time appeals to parents juggling work or multiple children. The accreditation option provides credentials when needed. Whether the premium price makes sense depends on your priorities and budget. Families wanting similar structure at lower cost might explore Time4Learning; those wanting Christian content would look elsewhere entirely. But for secular, structured, low-prep homeschooling with an established track record, Calvert remains a standard against which newer programs are measured.
