A Beka Academy DVD vs. Switched-On Schoolhouse
Are you investigating the difference between the A Beka Academy DVD program and Switched-On Schoolhouse curriculum from Alpha Omega Publications? You just found the information you need! Find short overviews of each curriculum below, an easy-to-view comparison chart, and additional comparison options!
A Beka Academy DVDs
Available for homeschoolers in grades K5-12, the A Beka Academy DVD Program features recorded lessons presented in the classroom by Pensacola Christian Academy teachers. The A Beka curriculum is Bible-based and presents instruction from a Christian worldview. A Beka Academy offers coursework in Bible, reading, history, mathematics, science, health, and English. Electives are also offered. A Beka Academy DVD Program combines recorded classroom lectures with A Beka Book textbooks and teacher materials. When enrolled in this program, students watch recorded lesson presentations and complete student work in A Beka curriculum textbooks and workbooks.
Students can select A Beka Academy enrollment in either an accredited (FACCS, SACS) or a non-accredited DVD program. Families enrolled in the accredited program are provided with all DVDs, books, tests, and keys for selected courses, teacher's manual with daily lesson plans, a pre-set academic calendar, a plan of study, evaluation of student work, report cards, high school diploma, transcripts, prepaid return labels for DVDs and graded student work, and access to academic assistance. Parents provide supervision as well as grading of completed work. Families enrolled in the non-accredited program are provided with all DVDs, books, tests, and keys, teacher's manual with lesson plans, progress reports for parental record-keeping, prepaid return labels for DVD's, and access to academic assistance. Parents are responsible for all supervision, grading, and record-keeping. A Beka Academy requires all DVDs and student coursework to be returned within 12 months of start date, or late fees will be charged.
Finding Your Approach to Homeschooling
Wondering whether you should use a computer-based or video-based approach to homeschooling? Keep in mind that there is no one perfect homeschool curriculum. A blended approach to homeschooling allows parents the flexibility of using multiple resources instead of one set curriculum. Instead of feeling torn between curriculum formats, parents should be open to mixing and matching materials and resources to customize their child's education. Remember, each child has his own learning style, so it's important to choose materials that best fit his needs.
Switched-On Schoolhouse from Alpha Omega Publications
Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS) from Alpha Omega Publications is an engaging, computer-based curriculum for grades 3-12. Alpha Omega Publications, a trusted publisher of high quality educational products, provides Christian curriculum and educational services to homeschool families. Revolutionizing the way students learn, SOS is a comprehensive, CD-ROM-based curriculum that is entirely technology based. This innovative, state-of-the-art curriculum presents biblically-based lessons using interactive multimedia, eye-catching animation, learning games, video clips, and more! Unlike traditional textbooks, SOS has a diverse mix of text-based instruction and engaging multimedia enrichment. Unsurpassed administrative tools include time-saving features like automatic grading and lesson planning with built-in calendar, customizable lessons, flexible printing options, and message center.
Winner of Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum, SOS integrates Scripture and a Christian worldview into all subjects. SOS offers the flexibility of an individualized, student-driven approach, helpful text-to-speech option, and diagnostic tests for correct placement. Switched-On Schoolhouse courses are available for 3rd – 12th grade students in Bible, language arts, math, science, and history and geography. Electives are also available for students of all ages. SOS may be purchased as individual subjects or as complete five-subject sets. The program includes all required student and parent materials.
Benefits and Features of Switched-On Schoolhouse from Alpha Omega Publications
- interactive, innovative, computer-based curriculum
- offers flexible, engaging learning environment
- contains multimedia tools, educational games, and automatic grading options
- can reduce teacher planning and grading by 20 hours per week
Take a Closer Look at A Beka Academy DVDs and Switched-On Schoolhouse
|Offerings||Switched-On Schoolhouse||A Beka Academy DVD|
|3-12 curriculum options|
|Core subjects and electives available|
|Computer-based curriculum||Can be played on computer's DVD player|
|Interactive, engaging multimedia tools|
|Instruction provided via recorded lesson sessions|
|Instruction provided by innovative text-based lessons delivered via computer|
|Customizable lessons and calendar|
|Flexible and individualized|
|Manageable amount of daily lesson material|
|Automatic grading and lesson planning|
|Requires material to be returned and charges fees if late|
|Message and resource center|
|Cost||Switched-On Schoolhouse||Academy DVDs (with A Beka Books)|
|Average yearly cost per grade level**||$449.95||$895|
|Average subject cost per grade level**||$99.95||$395|
What Other Parents Are Saying:
"Switched-On Schoolhouse was everything we needed to be able to continue home educating our children. It was sent from heaven to our doorstep! I had concerns about the children using the computer so much, but we have had a wonderful experience and my children love seeing their grades every day--no more waiting for Mom! SOS has helped me enjoy teaching my children again. THANK YOU for creating such a wonderful, affordable curriculum!"
Heidi W., New Jersey
"I just wanted to write and thank you for a GREAT curriculum. My daughter has just started the SOS homeschool curriculum and we both love it. It is so easy to use and I love the flexibility. It does so much of the work I used to do like scheduling, organizing lessons, and grading. She also loves how easy it is for her to see what her lessons are and what her grades are. No more backpacks bursting at the seams! Thank you so much. We plan to use SOS all the way through high school. WELL DONE!"
Lisa V., United States
"Switching to SOS was the best homeschooling decision I ever made! It has been six years since we made that change, and I will never go back! I will never go back to the hours of lesson planning or to the tedious grading. I will never go back to wondering if my children are learning enough. I will never again wander vendor booths at homeschool conventions looking for 'the perfect curriculum'. I FOUND IT!"
Linda D., Illinois
"My son loves Switched-On Schoolhouse, and so do I! The interactive lessons and games keep schoolwork interesting for him, and the automatic grading makes it easy for me. If your children are visual learners or you're feeling like you're being stretched too thin with all the lesson planning and preparation that textbooks require, Switched-On Schoolhouse is your answer."
Lisa C., Texas
"What an amazing program! After trying several different companies' curriculum, I decided to try Switched-On Schoolhouse, starting with one subject. Well, I'm sold. My daughter loves it so much that she begs to do it seven days a week! Our curriculum shopping days are over, and we will never look somewhere else again! SOS is the one for us! Thank you so much for such a wonderful product!"
Kristy B., South Carolina
Compare Offerings: A Beka versus Alpha Omega Publications
A Beka Book
- A Beka Book vs. Monarch
- A Beka Book vs. Horizons
- A Beka Book vs. LIFEPAC
- A Beka Book vs. Alpha Omega Academy
- A Beka Book vs. Switched-On Schoolhouse
A Beka Academy (DVD)
- A Beka Academy (DVD) vs. Monarch
- A Beka Academy (DVD) vs. Horizons
- A Beka Academy (DVD) vs. LIFEPAC
- A Beka Academy (DVD) vs. Alpha Omega Academy
- A Beka Academy (DVD) vs. Switched-On Schoolhouse
A Beka Academy (Parent-Directed)
- A Beka Academy (Parent-Directed) vs. Monarch
- A Beka Academy (Parent-Directed) vs. Horizons
- A Beka Academy (Parent-Directed) vs. LIFEPAC
- A Beka Academy (Parent-Directed) vs. Alpha Omega Academy
- A Beka Academy (Parent-Directed) vs. Switched-On Schoolhouse
A Beka Video-based Internet Streaming
*A Beka Book® and A Beka Academy® are the registered trademarks and subsidiaries of Pensacola Christian College. Alpha Omega Publications is not in any way affiliated with A Beka®. Alpha Omega Publications' purpose with this page is to provide information to families who are considering the different aspects of homeschooling curricula or who wish to compare the benefits of using both curricula. Alpha Omega Publications' products and services are not endorsed or sponsored by A Beka Book or A Beka Academy.
Note: Information in this chart was gathered in June 2014 and was obtained from company websites, catalogs, research of rating companies, and publicly filed information. Comparison categories do not encompass entire curriculum features and benefits and may not apply to all situations.
**Prices obtained June 2014 from A Beka Academy's website and from Alpha Omega Publications 2014 Homeschool Catalog. Yearly prices based on comparison between SOS 3rd Grade 5-Subject Set and A Beka Academy 3rd Grade DVD Video Complete pricing for full year. Subject prices based on comparison between SOS 3rd Grade Math (including all student and teacher material) and A Beka Academy Grade 1-6 Subject Combination for DVD Video Complete option. Costs do not reflect any additional fees or shipping and handling charges. Prices for other A Beka and Alpha Omega Publications curricula and services can be found on individual comparison pages. All prices are subject to change.