Christian Light Education (CLE) is an affordable, workbook-based Christian curriculum from a Mennonite publisher, serving grades K-12 with self-paced LightUnits that emphasize independent learning and biblical values.
What is Christian Light Education?
Christian Light Education is a comprehensive Christian homeschool curriculum published by a Mennonite organization with over 50 years of experience serving homeschooling families. The program uses consumable workbooks called LightUnits that students complete every two to three weeks, covering Bible, Language Arts, Math, Reading, Science, and Social Studies. CLE's distinctive approach emphasizes incremental learning with spiral review, where new concepts appear in small pieces while previously learned material gets reinforced consistently. The curriculum is entirely print-based—no screens required—making it especially popular among families seeking technology-free education or those in missionary settings.
Key Takeaways
- Uses consumable LightUnits completed every 15-17 days for consistent progress
- One of the most affordable complete curricula at $400-500 per high school student annually
- Students in grades 3+ can work largely independently after parent introduction
- Reflects Mennonite/Anabaptist worldview with biblical principles woven throughout
- Christian Light Academy offers optional accredited diploma program
How the LightUnit System Works
Each LightUnit functions as a self-contained workbook covering approximately two to three weeks of instruction. Students work through lessons independently, completing review exercises and tests within each unit. The format creates a built-in sense of accomplishment—finishing a LightUnit feels tangible in a way that completing a chapter in a reusable textbook simply doesn't. Parents introduce new concepts at the start of each section, but the bulk of the work happens independently. This structure works particularly well for families with multiple children, since older students can manage their own progress while parents focus attention where it's needed most.
Grade Levels and Independence
Kindergarten and first grade require hands-on parental teaching, with Primer Books featuring illustrations of Mennonite family life. By second grade, students begin transitioning toward more independent work. From third grade onward, most students can manage their daily assignments after a brief parental introduction to new material. High school coursework includes extensive electives—everything from Spanish and accounting to carpentry and automotive mechanics. The Christian Light Academy offers an accredited Homeschool Plus program for families wanting official recordkeeping and diplomas.
Cost and Value
CLE consistently ranks among the most budget-friendly comprehensive curricula available. A full year of high school materials runs $400-500 per student, compared to $2,000+ for many competitors. Individual LightUnits cost $22 for five-unit courses and $51 for ten-unit courses, with teacher's guides under $20 each. Orders over $70 ship free. The Homeschool Plus accredited program costs $310 for families with two students. For large families especially, the savings compound significantly over time.
What Parents Should Know
The Mennonite perspective appears throughout the curriculum—illustrations feature families in plain dress, and content reflects conservative Anabaptist doctrine. Some families embrace this wholeheartedly while others find the cultural elements don't resonate. The workbook format can feel repetitive to students who prefer more creative or project-based learning. Parents transitioning older children into CLE may encounter placement challenges since the spiral curriculum assumes students have encountered concepts in earlier grades. Starting fresh in kindergarten or first grade typically produces the smoothest experience.
The Bottom Line
Christian Light Education offers exceptional value for families seeking a structured, biblically-integrated curriculum that promotes independent learning. The LightUnit format creates clear progress markers while keeping costs remarkably low. Families comfortable with the Mennonite perspective and workbook-based approach often use CLE successfully for multiple generations. Those seeking Charlotte Mason, classical, or project-based methods will likely find the format too structured for their taste.
