Curriculum Comparison
How Does Living Heritage Stand Out?
A side-by-side look at how Living Heritage compares to the curricula families weigh most — other Charlotte Mason programs first, then the classical-trivium and traditional-textbook approaches.
Side by Side
vs. Other Charlotte Mason Curricula
How Living Heritage compares to the other Charlotte Mason curricula Reformed families most often consider.
| Criterion | Living Heritage | Ambleside Online | Simply Charlotte Mason | A Gentle Feast | Alveary (CMI) | CMEC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| History rotation | 4 years | 6 years | 4 years (new) / 6 years (products prior to 2026) | 4 years | 4 years | 4 years |
| All cycles available immediately | Included | Included | Included | Included | Only one available per year / Must match their time period | Only one available per year / Must match their time period |
| Weeks per year | 30 ordinary + 6 festival (flex) | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Daily plans | Included | — | Included | — | Included | Parent does planning |
| Digital planner integration | Included | — | — | — | Included | — |
| App | Included | — | — | Included | — | — |
| Video & audio high-school helps built in | Included | — | — | — | Included | Included |
| Full-credit high-school sciences | Included | — | — | Included | Included | Included |
| Senior thesis course | Included | — | — | — | — | — |
| Family style | Included | — | Included | Included | Same history cycle; Some subjects combined | Same history cycle; Some forms can combine |
| Stated doctrinal position | Included | — | Included | — | — | No (Creators are Catholic; plans interfaith) |
| Family worship component | Included | — | Group Bible lesson | Morning Time has Bible reading and Hymn | — | — |
| Narration prompts | Included | — | Included | — | Included | — |
| Style/Focus of living books | Classics | Classics | Diverse | Diverse | Diverse | Classics |
| Price | $99 weekly plans / $299 daily plans | Free weekly plans | ~$250 digital | $127 weekly plans / $372 extra helps membership | $299 daily plans | $299 membership |
From the podcast
Homeschool Curriculum Q&A
Side by Side
vs. Other Approaches to Education
Living Heritage is a Charlotte Mason curriculum — a different philosophy and methodology from the two other models many Christian families consider. All are sincere efforts to educate well; here is how they differ. Trivium-as-Stages Classical represents programs like Veritas Press, Memoria Press, Classical Conversations, and Classical Academic Press; Traditional Christian Textbook represents programs like BJU Press and Abeka.
| Living Heritage | Trivium-as-Stages Classical | Traditional Christian Textbook | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary materials | Classic books + narration (oral/written composition) | Classic books + workbooks | Textbooks + workbooks |
| Reading pace | Slow — to digest | Fast | Fast |
| How books are used | Synthesis — put together (some analysis in high school) | Analysis — take apart | Analysis — take apart |
| Subjects | Integrated | Integrated | Compartmentalized |
| Memory work focus | Living ideas — Scripture, hymns, poetry | Lists of facts | Facts |
| Family worship integrated | Included | — | — |
| How learning is assessed | Narration & discussion | Tests, worksheets & recitation | Tests & worksheets |
| Family-style (grades grouped) | Included | — | — |
| Shared family history cycle | Included | Some programs | — |
| Lesson plans | open-and-go planner style | Teacher manuals separate | Classroom-aimed teacher manuals separate |
| Materials reusable | All reusable | Books reusable; workbooks consumable | Textbooks reusable but revised often; workbooks consumable |
| Doctrinal position | Reformed, confessional (Westminster, 1689 London Baptist, Three Forms of Unity) | Varies by publisher (Veritas leans Reformed; CC purposefully neutral; Memoria purposefully neutral; CAP leans Reformed) | Fundamentalist Baptist |
| Cost | $99–299 per cycle for whole family, all grades, all subjects | ~$1,000–1,700 per child per grade (Veritas); $434-1,181 per child per grade (Memoria); $600-1600+ per child annually (CC) | ~$1,000+ per child for complete grade homeschool kit |
| Goal of education in practice | A love of God and the True, Good & Beautiful; disciple the whole child | Wisdom and eloquence; virtue; train the intellect by stage | Academic mastery of graded content |
From the podcast
Is Charlotte Mason Classical?
Please Note: These comparison charts are created using publicly available information and are intended for informational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, curriculum details, pricing, and features can change over time. If you notice any inaccuracies or recent updates, please let us know so we can keep this resource as accurate as possible!
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