Is BJU Press Homeschool Worth It in 2025? [The Honest Mom Review]

If you’re neck-deep in curriculum comparisons and wondering whether BJU Press Homeschool is really worth the price tag in 2025... you’re not alone. With so many programs out there, it can feel overwhelming to figure out which one is both academically solid and actually doable for your family.

I’ve been using BJU Press for over four years now, and I’m giving you the inside scoop: the good, the not-so-good, and why my 7-year-old is basically homeschooling himself (and no, I’m not exaggerating).

Let’s dive into it!

Heads up: I’m totally biased. 😄 We use BJU Press and love it. Some links here are affiliate links, which means if you buy through them, it helps support this blog (and my caffeine habit). Thanks!

1. It's (Almost) Hands-Off Homeschooling

BJU Press uses video-based lessons that guide your child through each subject—which means you’re not the one doing all the teaching.

Cue the happy tears.

My son is 7 years old, and he can do almost everything by himself (I’ve got heaps of videos on my channel about that where you can see it in action!).

I occasionally peek over his shoulder to make sure he’s on track, but that’s it.

This really matters because this sort of independence gives you breathing room—especially if you're juggling work, younger kids, or just trying to hang onto your groundedness.

2. It’s Not a Charlotte Mason Dreamscape (and That’s Okay)

Now, if your ideal homeschool involves nature walks, watercolor journals, and spontaneous bug studies—BJU Press might feel like the opposite of that.

It’s traditional, structured, and workbook-heavy.

But it does include manipulatives and cut-out projects, all provided in the box (so no panic-buying googly eyes at 10pm).

Bottom line is that if you want minimal prep and maximum structure, BJU Press delivers—without glitter in your carpet.

Penny doing craft with BJU Press! That’s a glue stick and scissors, right?

3. The Visuals Are Seriously Impressive

Don’t picture some tired teacher staring blankly into a webcam.

BJU Press video lessons switch it up constantly:

• Animated segments

• Real-life field trips (yes, they went to a fire station!)

• Interactive workbook prompts

Perfect for visual learners who thrive on color, movement, and variety.

If your kid zones out with static screens, this could be the unexpected win you’ve been looking for.

Quick Verdict: BJU Press Homeschool is one of the strongest Christian homeschool curriculum options for families who want solid academics, biblical worldview, video lessons, and more independence for the parent. It is not the cheapest option, and younger grades may still need parent involvement, but for many families, it offers one of the best balances of structure, quality, and ease of use.

4. Yes, It’s Pricey. Let’s Talk About That.

$1,099 for Grade 2. That’s the cost for BJU Press with physical books and full video access.

That hurts.

But here’s the thing: I used to cobble together bits and pieces of curriculum from multiple sources. It took forever, stressed me out, and cost more than I realized.

With BJU Press, everything arrives in one box. It’s planned. It’s printed. It’s ready.

You’re buying:

• Time

• Structure

• Peace of mind

And for me, that’s been worth every cent.

5. Academic Rigor Without the Tears

Some curricula are fluffy. Others are soul-crushing.

BJU Press is neither.

It’s challenging without being overwhelming.

Your kids will learn—and they won’t hate you (or long division) in the process.

You don’t have to pick between gentle or rigorous.

BJU Press lands squarely in the middle.

6. It Flexes With Your Child’s Strengths

My son gets math concepts quite easily.

So we skip about 40% of his math and keep the parts he actually needs.

Reading?

He does 100% of his workbook.

We have a simple rule: If he scores under 80%, we go back and review. Otherwise? We move on.

So if you’ve got a kid flying through math but slogging through reading, BJU Press flexes with you—without making you feel like you’re failing.

7. It’s Truly Gospel-Centered

This one hits home for me.

You hear Scripture constantly. One of the most memorable? "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." — John 10:11

And it’s not just sprinkled-in Bible verses. The entire curriculum is built on a solid, Christian worldview.

As C.S. Lewis said, "Education without values only helps create more clever devils."

You’re not just teaching academics. You’re discipling your kids to know Jesus and love him.

8. It’s Beautiful. Like, Really Beautiful.

Real artists design the visuals at BJU Press Homeschool. And it shows.

Every page flows with the lesson. It feels more like a personal conversation than a lecture.

And yes, your child will want to open these books.

You don’t have to choose between pretty and practical.

BJU Press is both.

9. Don’t Skip the Video Lessons

Please. I’m begging you.

Someone asked me recently if they could just use the teacher’s manuals. I nearly launched into a dramatic intervention.

Been there.

Tried that.

Regretted it BIG time.

You’ll end up buried in prep, grading, and second-guessing every lesson.

The video teachers are cheerful, engaging, and trained to teach this stuff well.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or like a reluctant teacher, this is your permission slip to step back and still give your kids a top-tier education.

I love the biblical worldview in BJU Press. This is Luke’s Following Christ (Biblical Truths) series which is their Bible Course.

Who BJU Press Is Best For

BJU Press is the homeschool curriculum equivalent of that reliable friend who always turns up on time, remembers their lunch, and has their life together.

It's best for families who want a strong Christian worldview woven throughout every subject, not just tucked away in Bible class.

It's also fantastic for busy homeschool parents who occasionally dream of cloning themselves.

The video lessons do much of the teaching for you, which means your child can learn from experienced teachers instead of relying on you to become an instant expert in algebra, grammar, and biology overnight.

You'll probably love BJU Press if you:

• Want a strong biblical worldview throughout the curriculum

• Prefer video lessons that reduce your teaching load

• Like having physical textbooks and workbooks rather than doing everything on a screen

• Want solid academics that prepare students well for college

• Appreciate a clear daily schedule with little guesswork

• Are raising independent learners, especially in the upper elementary, middle school, and high school years

In short, if you're looking for a curriculum that does a lot of the heavy lifting while still delivering an excellent education, BJU Press is hard to beat.

Who Should Skip BJU Press?

Now before you rush off and buy it, let's talk about who might not love BJU Press.

First, if you're looking for the cheapest curriculum on the market, this isn't it. BJU Press sits firmly in the "quality costs money" category.

Second, if your dream homeschool involves nature journals, poetry tea times, basket weaving under a tree, and reading living books all day, you may find BJU Press a little too structured. It's much more traditional than a Charlotte Mason program.

You might want to skip BJU Press if you:

• Need the absolute lowest-cost option

• Prefer a fully Charlotte Mason-style education

• Want lots of hands-on unit studies and project-based learning

• Are looking for a secular curriculum

• Want a very light academic workload

BJU Press isn't perfect for everyone.

But if your goal is a strong Christian education with excellent academics and less pressure on Mum to teach every lesson herself, it's one of the strongest options available.

Penny doing workbook and video lessons for her Kindergarten. (I’m drinking my coffee on the couch behind her 😂)

What Format Should You Get?

One thing that confuses many parents about BJU Press is that you're not just choosing a curriculum — you're choosing how that curriculum will be taught.

If you want my quick answer, I'd choose BJU Press Online with Books (that is get the video lessons, not the teacher’s manuals).

That's what we use, and it's the option I'd recommend to most families.

Your child gets taught by experienced video teachers while working through physical textbooks and workbooks. It's like having a private Christian school teacher in your lounge room, except they don't raid your fridge.

DVDs or Online streaming?

The DVD version uses the same lessons, but on physical discs (rentable for 18months and then you have to return them).

Unless your internet is held together by hope and prayer, I'd generally choose the online version instead.

Teacher’s Manuals

The cheapest option is Parent-Led, where you teach the lessons yourself using the books and teacher materials. The education is still excellent, but you're swapping dollars for time. Instead of Mrs Vick teaching maths, that's now your job.

BJU Press Teachers Companions

Interestingly, BJU Press is also introducing Teacher's Companions, which look like a middle-ground option. They're designed to be more practical and homeschool-friendly than the traditional teacher manuals, while still keeping the curriculum offline. I haven't used them yet, but I'm planning to review them in the future.

For most families, though, BJU Press Online with Books is the sweet spot between academic quality, independence, and parent sanity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BJU Press Homeschool accredited?

The curriculum itself is not accredited. However, BJU Press does offer accredited options through its distance learning program, The Academy of Home Education. For most homeschool families, YOU DON’T NEED IT!

It just costs extra money and it means you can’t skip any bookwork, which can lead to burnout!

Colleges are usually far more interested in transcripts and course records than whether little Johnny learned fractions from an accredited online school or through his mommy’s homeschool.

Is BJU Press good for independent learners?

Absolutely. In fact, this is one of BJU Press's biggest strengths.

If you've ever fantasized about drinking a hot cup of coffee while your child completes schoolwork without needing help every six minutes, BJU Press Online may be your new best friend.

Is BJU Press hard?

BJU Press is academically rigorous, but I wouldn't call it unnecessarily difficult.

It expects students to think, learn, and master concepts rather than simply ticking boxes.

In other words, it's more "good workout at the gym" hard than "climbing Mount Everest in thongs" hard.

Is BJU Press better than Abeka?

That depends on what you're looking for. Abeka tends to be more traditional, more repetitive, and more focused on memorization, while BJU Press often feels a little more engaging and concept-focused.

Personally, if I had to choose just one, I'd pick BJU Press—but plenty of families happily use Abeka and love it.

Does BJU Press teach from a Christian worldview?

Yes—and not in a token way.

Biblical truth is woven throughout every subject rather than being confined to Bible class alone.

If you're looking for a curriculum that consistently points children back to God and His Word, BJU Press does this exceptionally well.

Can you use BJU Press for just one subject?

Definitely.

Many homeschool families use BJU Press only for maths, English, science, or Bible while mixing other subjects from different publishers.

You don't have to buy the entire buffet just because you want the mashed potatoes.

Is BJU Press worth the money?

For many families, yes.

It's certainly not the cheapest curriculum available, but the quality of the academics, biblical worldview, and video instruction make it one of the strongest value-for-money options in Christian homeschooling.

If saving parent time is high on your priority list, it can feel less like an expense and more like a sanity investment.

Luke doing BJU Press Math 3 with manipulatives. He’s using the Online with Books version where you get online streaming with physical workbooks and manipulatives.

Feeling Overwhelmed? Here’s Help.

If your brain is buzzing with questions like "Am I doing this right?" or "How do I even choose a curriculum?" — I get it.

That’s why I created the Homeschool Parenting Program, an online course for homeschool parents!

It’s a practical, funny, grace-filled course designed to help you:

• Understand your family’s unique rhythm

• Compare popular homeschool methods

• Choose curriculum with confidence

💻 Click here to check out the Homeschool Parenting Program — and yes, it supports this blog too. Thank you! 🙌

So... Is BJU Press Worth It in 2025?

For us? Absolutely.

It’s not cheap, and it’s not nature-study-in-the-woods, but it’s rock-solid, gospel-centered, and wildly effective.

If you want to know how BJU Press stacks up against other Christian homeschool programs, watch the video below:

It’s embedded below so you can keep learning without missing a beat. 👇