BJU Press Homeschool Curriculum: An Honest Review

BJU Press (formerly Bob Jones University Press) is one of the most complete structured curricula available for homeschoolers. It covers every grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade across every core subject, uses a traditional textbook-and-teacher-manual approach, and is explicitly Christian in worldview. If you want a rigorous, school-in-a-box experience that aligns with a conservative Christian perspective, BJU Press is worth serious consideration. If you want secular content or a flexible unstructured approach, it is not the right fit.

Here is what you actually need to know before purchasing.

What BJU Press Covers

BJU Press publishes complete curriculum packages for every core subject:

• Language Arts / English: phonics, grammar, writing, literature (separate strands)
• Mathematics: from kindergarten counting through Pre-Calculus and Consumer Math
• Science: strong emphasis on creation-based biology, chemistry, and physics
• History / Social Studies: US and world history with a strong American and biblical lens
• Bible: a standalone subject at every grade level
• Foreign Languages: Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese (limited grade ranges)

The full K–12 lineup is genuinely comprehensive. Most families can use BJU Press as their sole curriculum provider without supplementing, which simplifies planning significantly.

The Teaching Approach

BJU Press is designed for parent-led, structured instruction. Each subject comes with a Teacher Edition that provides scripted lesson plans, discussion questions, review activities, and answer keys. The student workbooks and textbooks are designed to be used together with the teacher guide — they are not self-teaching materials.

This matters if you are evaluating it for independent or self-directed learning. A motivated high schooler could work through some BJU Press materials semi-independently, but the design assumes an active parent teacher delivering lessons.

If you prefer a curriculum your student can work through more independently, look at Sonlight or Time4Learning instead.

Pricing

BJU Press sells individual subjects by grade level. A single-subject kit (student edition + teacher edition) typically runs $65–$110 per subject. A full-grade bundle covering all core subjects ranges from $400 to $700+ depending on grade level.

Compared to other full-service curricula, BJU Press is mid-range — more expensive than building your own curriculum from individual resources, but less expensive than Abeka's full distance learning packages.

Used market pricing is worth exploring. BJU Press textbooks hold up well and are widely resold through Homeschool Classifieds, AbeBooks, and Facebook homeschool groups. The teacher editions contain the answer keys, so both pieces matter for used purchases — confirm both are included.

BJU Distance Learning (Streaming)

BJU Press also offers a video-based distance learning option called BJU Homeschool Distance Learning, where professional teachers on video deliver the lessons. This is a significant upgrade for parents who feel unqualified to teach upper-level courses like AP Chemistry or Pre-Calculus. The distance learning format is pricier — expect to pay a per-subject subscription fee — but it shifts the instructional burden off the parent while keeping the BJU curriculum intact.

For high school students targeting college admissions, the distance learning option also provides a third-party grade record, which helps validate academic rigor on a homeschool transcript.

Accreditation and College Admissions

BJU Press is not itself an accrediting body. Families who complete the curriculum at home and issue their own parent-signed diploma are in the same position as any other home educator. The curriculum's rigorous content helps, but the diploma and transcript come from you, not from BJU Press.

For families who want accreditation, BJU's Beka Book Homeschool and Bridgeway Academy (which uses BJU Press materials with added accreditation and counselor services) are paths to an accredited diploma — but at a significantly higher cost.

If your student plans to apply to competitive colleges, a BJU Press high school transcript should include: - Course descriptions referencing specific BJU Press materials (e.g., "BJU Press Biology 10, 3rd Edition") - A GPA calculated on a consistent 4.0 scale - Supplemental SAT/ACT scores — critical for homeschoolers at most colleges

The United States University Admissions Framework covers exactly how to translate a BJU Press high school experience into a college-ready application package, including how to write course descriptions that give admissions officers what they need.

Who BJU Press Is Best For

BJU Press works best for families who: - Want a structured, complete curriculum with minimal planning overhead - Align with a conservative Christian worldview in academic content - Have a parent available to actively teach (or can access the distance learning option) - Value academic rigor — BJU Press math and writing programs are genuinely challenging

It is less suited for: - Secular or religiously diverse families (the Christian integration is pervasive, not incidental) - Families pursuing a student-directed or unschooling approach - High school students who need to work fully independently

Common Complaints

The most frequent criticism from longtime BJU Press users: the Teacher Editions are verbose. The scripted lesson plans are thorough to a fault — experienced parent teachers often find they spend more time adapting the script than if they had a simpler guide. Many families use the teacher edition for the answer keys and general scope, then teach from the student book more naturally.

The second common complaint: upgrading editions. BJU Press releases new editions periodically, and used-market editions often lag by one or two editions. The content differences between editions are usually minor for core subjects (math sequences change more than history content), but it can create friction if you want to combine new and used materials.

The Bottom Line

BJU Press is a high-quality, complete, academically rigorous homeschool curriculum that integrates a conservative Christian worldview throughout. It is not the most flexible option and not suitable for secular families, but for its target audience, it delivers a structured, school-like education that produces well-prepared students. If you are considering it for high school, invest the extra time in building strong college application documentation to go alongside the coursework.