Choosing a homeschool curriculum is rarely as simple as comparing subjects, prices, and lesson plans. For Christian families, the decision goes deeper. We want our children to receive a solid academic education, but we also care about the worldview behind that education.
As a homeschooling father, I have also learned that a curriculum decision affects my wife in ways that are easy to underestimate. If the curriculum requires hours of preparation, constant grading, complicated scheduling, and daily troubleshooting, Mom is usually the person carrying most of that burden.
That is one reason an online Christian homeschool curriculum like Monarch can be appealing. Monarch Homeschool is an online curriculum from Alpha Omega Publications designed for students in grades 3–12. It offers five core subjects, automated grading, lesson planning tools, multimedia content, and access to multiple courses through an online subscription.
But is Monarch Homeschool actually a good choice for Christian families? In this Monarch Homeschool review, I will share my perspective as a homeschooling father, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the program, and explain what parents should consider before choosing Monarch for their children.
Quick Summary:
Overall, I found Monarch to be rather impressive. But it requires significant effort from the parents as well as an internet connection. Am I endorsing it? Not completely. But it can play a major part in your child’s education.
My rating: 7.5/10.
What Is Monarch Homeschool?
Monarch is a completely online Christian homeschool curriculum. Students access their lessons through an internet-connected computer and complete their assignments, quizzes, and tests online.
The five core subjects available through Monarch are:
- Bible
- Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- History and Geography
Families can choose courses according to their children’s academic abilities rather than being limited to a single grade-level package. The curriculum includes interactive lessons, videos, audio clips, animations, games, and other multimedia resources.
Parents receive access to tools for monitoring assignments, viewing grades, managing schedules, and tracking academic progress. One of Monarch’s biggest selling points is convenience.
There are no textbooks to store, workbooks to organize, or stacks of assignments waiting to be graded at the kitchen table. For busy homeschooling families, that can sound very appealing.
Why Our Family Considered an Online Christian Homeschool Curriculum
Like many Christian parents, our family wants education to support the values we teach at home. We do not view faith as something that belongs only in church on Sunday morning. Our beliefs influence the way we understand history, science, relationships, morality, responsibility, and the purpose of education itself.
That makes worldview an important part of choosing a homeschool curriculum. Monarch is designed from a Christian perspective. Biblical principles and Christian teachings are incorporated throughout the curriculum rather than being limited to Bible lessons.
For families specifically looking for an online Christian homeschool curriculum, this can be one of Monarch’s greatest strengths. At the same time, I believe parents should remember something important. A Christian curriculum is a tool.
It cannot replace conversations with our children, family Bible study, prayer, church involvement, or the example we provide through our daily lives. Technology can deliver a Bible lesson. It cannot disciple our children for us.
| Item | Monarch/AOP policy |
|---|---|
| Billing frequency | Both Full Access and Single Course can be paid monthly or yearly. |
| Per-student pricing | Pricing is charged for each student. AOP states there is no discount for purchasing more than one Monarch Full Access subscription, and the same subscription price applies to each additional student. |
| 30-day free trial | Each student is eligible for one 30-day free trial. During the trial, the student gets full access to Monarch’s digital service features. |
| Automatic conversion after trial | After the 30-day trial ends, the account automatically converts to the paid monthly or yearly subscription selected during signup, unless canceled before the trial ends. |
| Recurring billing | AOP says many services are recurring subscriptions that automatically renew monthly or yearly depending on the selected plan, and billing continues until you unsubscribe in the parent account’s Manage Subscription section. |
| Payment reminders | AOP says it sends payment reminders four days before the monthly or annual billing date. |
| Order confirmation | AOP sends an email confirmation after each payment, which serves as the transaction record. |
| Cancellation | You can cancel during the free trial or during a paid subscription by unsubscribing in Manage Subscription in the parent account. |
| Refunds: yearly payments | Monarch yearly payments can be refunded within 30 days of invoice; after 30 days, yearly payments are not refundable. |
| Refunds: monthly payments | Monarch monthly payments are non-refundable. |
| Payment methods | AOP’s general payment policy says orders can be paid by check, money order, or credit card: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. |
| ESA/ClassWallet funding | AOP says ESAs are accepted, and families using ClassWallet may use it for Monarch yearly subscriptions or single-course purchases where available. ClassWallet purchases are not eligible for the 30-day free trial, and monthly ClassWallet purchases only cover the first month before the saved AOP payment method is charged monthly afterward. |
| Discounts/rewards | AOP lists Learning Perks rewards and appreciation discounts. The 20% appreciation discount excludes Monarch monthly plans. Rewards can be redeemed as $5, $10, or $20 off coupons at stated point thresholds. |
My First Impression of Monarch Homeschool
My first impression of Monarch was that it was designed to make homeschooling more manageable. There is a lot to keep track of when educating children at home. Assignments need to be scheduled. Lessons need to be completed. Tests need to be graded. Progress needs to be monitored.
When several children are homeschooling at the same time, these responsibilities multiply quickly. Monarch automates many of these administrative tasks.
The curriculum can automatically grade much of the students’ work, maintain academic records, and help parents monitor progress.
From a father’s perspective, this is valuable because anything that reduces unnecessary administrative work can give my wife more time for actual teaching, parenting, and family life.
However, convenience should never become the only factor when choosing a homeschool curriculum. Children still need guidance.
Parents still need to understand what their children are learning. And an online program should not become an electronic babysitter.
Monarch Can Reduce the Daily Homeschool Workload
One of the most attractive features of Monarch is automated grading. Grading assignments can consume a surprising amount of time. This is particularly true when a mother is homeschooling multiple children.
After teaching lessons, helping struggling students, preparing meals, caring for younger children, managing the household, and handling countless interruptions, spending another hour grading schoolwork may be the last thing she wants to do.
Monarch automatically grades many assignments and assessments. Parents can review grades and monitor student progress through the parent dashboard.
This can significantly reduce the amount of routine administrative work required. Of course, parents should still review their children’s performance. A grade can tell us whether a student answered questions correctly.
It does not always tell us whether the child truly understands the subject. But reducing repetitive grading tasks can allow parents to spend more time discussing difficult concepts and providing individual attention.
Is Monarch Homeschool Easy to Use?
For families comfortable with online learning, Monarch is relatively straightforward to use. Students log in, view their assignments, complete lessons, and submit their work online.
Parents can manage schedules, review grades, monitor assignments, and adjust certain settings.Because the curriculum is hosted online, families do not need to install large software programs or manage physical textbooks.
However, there can be an adjustment period. Younger students may need help learning how to navigate the system. Parents also need time to understand the dashboard and available settings.
Technology problems and internet interruptions can occasionally disrupt the school day. Still, families who already use computers regularly may appreciate the convenience of having most homeschool materials available in one online platform.
Monarch Can Encourage Independent Learning
One reason online homeschool programs appeal to many families is the opportunity for students to become more independent. Monarch provides lessons, assignments, schedules, and assessments within the online platform. Older students may be able to complete significant portions of their schoolwork independently.
This can be especially helpful for mothers homeschooling several children. An older student can complete a history lesson while Mom teaches reading to a younger child.
Another child can work through science while a parent helps a sibling with math. Over time, students may develop better time-management skills and greater responsibility for completing assignments.
However, parents should remain involved. Some children can spend an hour in front of a computer without accomplishing very much.
Others may rush through lessons simply to finish. Independent learning only works when children have appropriate supervision, accountability, and support.
The Christian Worldview Is a Major Advantage
For many families reading a Monarch Homeschool review, the Christian worldview will be one of the most important considerations. Monarch is intentionally Christian.
Biblical principles are incorporated into the educational content. This can help families maintain greater consistency between what children learn during school and the beliefs taught at home.
As a father, I appreciate the opportunity homeschooling provides to discuss faith naturally throughout the day. A history lesson can lead to conversations about leadership, morality, and human nature.
Science can lead to discussions about creation and God’s design. Literature can provide opportunities to talk about character, truth, courage, and consequences. A Christian curriculum can support those conversations.
But again, parents should not assume that purchasing Christian educational materials completes their responsibility. Our children need more than Christian content. They need Christian parents who are present, involved, and willing to talk with them about what they are learning.
| Plan | What it includes | Annual payment | Monthly payment | Cost if paid monthly for 12 months | Annual-plan savings | Payment structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Access | Unlimited access to 100+ courses for grades 3–12, including 50 core courses and 60 elective/career courses | $439.95/year per student | $43.95/month per student | $527.40/year | $87.45/year | Best for a full homeschool year. AOP says yearly Full Access gives “two months free.” |
| Single Course | Access to one full Monarch course | $109.95/year per student | $10.95/month per student | $131.40/year | $21.45/year | Best if the student only needs one subject/course, or Monarch is being used as a supplement. |
What Other Parents Say on Reddit:
#1. As an atheist, I found Monarch’s strong religious focus frustrating. Christian teachings appeared in nearly every subject, including history questions that seemed better suited for Bible class. Some assignments felt opinion-based rather than academic. The curriculum simply did not match my beliefs or learning preferences, so I decided to return to public school.
#2. I currently use Monarch, and it is fairly decent compared to other homeschool curricula. Automated grading is helpful, but progress can feel painfully slow and discouraging. I once wrote an entire essay criticizing Monarch, submitted it, and received no visible course progress.
The Benefits of Automated Grading and Lesson Planning
Homeschooling requires more administrative work than many people realize. Someone has to determine what assignments should be completed. Someone has to keep records. Someone has to grade tests. Someone has to notice when a child is falling behind. Monarch’s automated features can simplify many of these responsibilities.
Assignments can be scheduled through the platform. Much of the work is graded automatically. Parents can review academic progress without manually calculating every score.
For busy families, these features can make homeschooling feel more manageable. However, I would encourage fathers to pay attention to how much administrative work their wives are carrying.
Even with automated grading, Mom may still be managing the schedules, answering questions, handling technical problems, monitoring progress, and keeping children focused. Technology can reduce work. It does not eliminate the need for shared responsibility.
What I Like About Monarch Homeschool as a Father
Several things about Monarch appeal to me. First, the curriculum provides structure. Children know what they need to complete, and parents can monitor their progress.
Second, the automated grading system can save time. Third, the Christian worldview aligns with the priorities of many homeschooling families.
Fourth, students have opportunities to develop independent learning habits. Finally, the online format reduces the need to store and organize large amounts of curriculum materials.
For families living in smaller homes or homeschooling several children, that practical advantage can be meaningful. I also appreciate that parents can spend less time on routine administrative tasks and more time helping children with subjects they find difficult.
Potential Disadvantages of Monarch Homeschool
No homeschool curriculum is perfect. One of the biggest concerns with Monarch is screen time. Students complete their lessons primarily on a computer. For families trying to reduce daily screen exposure, this may be a significant disadvantage.
Children already spend time using phones, tablets, televisions, gaming systems, and other electronic devices. Adding several hours of online schoolwork can increase the amount of time children spend sitting in front of screens.
Parents may need to intentionally balance online learning with outdoor activities, physical exercise, books, chores, hobbies, church activities, and family time. Another potential disadvantage is that some children simply do not learn well through online instruction.
They may prefer physical books. They may need hands-on activities. They may learn best through conversation and direct teaching. The convenience of Monarch will not matter if the curriculum does not fit the child’s learning needs.
One Thing to Note: Internet Access Is Required
Because Monarch is an online homeschool curriculum, families need reliable internet access. This may not be a problem for many households. However, families living in rural areas or places with inconsistent internet service should consider whether relying entirely on an online curriculum is practical.
Internet outages can interrupt lessons. Technical problems can create frustration. Families who travel frequently may also need to consider internet availability. A workbook can be used almost anywhere. An online curriculum depends on technology. That difference matters.
Monarch May Not Provide Enough Hands-On Learning
Children learn in different ways. Some enjoy reading and completing assignments online. Others need to build, experiment, move, draw, discuss, and explore. Monarch includes multimedia resources, but the curriculum is still primarily online. Parents may want to add hands-on activities, especially for science and younger students.
Experiments, nature walks, museum visits, educational games, art projects, cooking, gardening, building projects, and field trips can make learning more memorable.
I believe one of the biggest mistakes homeschool families can make is expecting one curriculum to provide everything their children need. Curriculum should provide structure. Family life should provide experiences.
Is Monarch Good for Large Homeschool Families?
Monarch may be particularly helpful for families homeschooling multiple children. The automated grading and online lesson management features can reduce some of the administrative burden.
Older students may complete assignments independently while Mom works with younger children. Parents can monitor academic progress through the dashboard.Families also avoid purchasing and storing large quantities of physical curriculum materials.
However, the cost of subscriptions and the number of available devices should be considered. If several children need computers at the same time, families may need multiple devices.
Parents should also consider whether every child learns effectively through online instruction. One curriculum does not always fit every child.
Is Monarch Good for New Homeschoolers?
Monarch may be a good option for parents who are new to homeschooling and want a structured program. Starting homeschooling can feel overwhelming.
Parents wonder what subjects to teach.They worry about lesson planning. They question whether their children are making enough progress.
They may feel uncertain about grading and record keeping. An online curriculum that provides lessons, schedules, assessments, and progress tracking can provide useful direction.
However, new homeschoolers should avoid assuming that an online program will manage everything automatically. Parents still need to monitor learning, adjust schedules, provide encouragement, and maintain healthy routines.
The Father’s Role in Online Homeschooling
As fathers, we need to remember that choosing an automated curriculum does not remove our responsibility to participate. It is easy to assume that because the curriculum is online, the children and Mom have everything under control.
That may not be true. Our wives may still be dealing with technical problems, unmotivated students, difficult lessons, interruptions, and household responsibilities.
Fathers can help by reviewing grades, discussing lessons with children, handling difficult subjects, solving technology problems, or taking responsibility for certain parts of the homeschool schedule.
Sometimes involvement can be as simple as asking our children what they learned that day. When children know Dad is interested in their education, it reinforces the importance of their work.
Monarch Homeschool Pros and Cons
Understanding the Monarch Homeschool pros and cons can help parents decide whether the curriculum matches their family’s needs.
Monarch Homeschool Pros
- Christian worldview integrated into the curriculum
- Completely online learning platform
- Automated grading for many assignments
- Built-in lesson planning and scheduling tools
- Progress tracking for parents
- Multimedia lessons and interactive content
- Opportunities for independent learning
- No physical textbooks or workbooks to store
- Can reduce lesson planning and administrative work
- Flexible course selection
Monarch Homeschool Cons
- Requires reliable internet access
- Students spend significant time using computers
- May not suit children who prefer physical books
- Limited hands-on learning without supplementation
- Technical problems can interrupt lessons
- Students still require parental supervision
- Online learning may become isolating without outside activities
- Families may need additional computers for multiple children
How Can Parents Make Monarch Homeschool More Engaging?
I would not use Monarch as the entirety of our children’s educational experience. I would use it as the academic foundation. Then I would intentionally add offline activities. We would read physical books together.
We would spend time outdoors. We would visit museums, parks, historical sites, and nature centers. We would complete science experiments. We would encourage music, art, sports, hobbies, and practical skills. We would participate in church and community activities.
And we would make room for family conversations.If a history lesson sparked curiosity about a particular person or event, we would explore it further. If a science lesson created interest in astronomy or animals, we would find books, documentaries, experiments, or field trips related to that subject. The flexibility to follow a child’s curiosity is one of the greatest advantages of homeschooling.
Who Should Consider Monarch Homeschool?
Monarch may be a good choice for Christian families who want a structured online curriculum, automated grading, reduced lesson planning, and opportunities for students to work independently.
It may be particularly useful for busy homeschooling mothers, families teaching several children, parents new to homeschooling, and students who are comfortable learning through computers.
Families who strongly prefer physical books, minimal screen time, extensive hands-on learning, or direct parent-led instruction may want to consider other options or use Monarch alongside additional resources.
Is Monarch Homeschool Worth It?
Whether Monarch Homeschool is worth it depends on what your family needs from a curriculum. For families seeking convenience, Christian content, online lessons, automated grading, and academic structure, Monarch offers several practical advantages.
The curriculum can reduce some of the daily administrative workload of homeschooling. However, convenience should not replace parental involvement. Children still need conversations. They need encouragement. They need accountability. They need physical activity.
They need relationships and experiences outside a computer screen. The best way to use Monarch may be to allow the curriculum to handle much of the academic organization while parents intentionally provide the personal interaction and real-world experiences technology cannot offer.
Final Thoughts From a Homeschooling Father
After considering the strengths and weaknesses of Monarch, I believe the curriculum can be a helpful option for the right Christian homeschool family. Its greatest strengths are convenience, structure, automated grading, online accessibility, and biblical integration.
For a busy homeschooling mother managing several children and numerous household responsibilities, those features can make the homeschool day more manageable. At the same time, Monarch should remain a tool.
It should not become a replacement for parents. Our children need more than completed assignments and good grades. They need conversations around the dinner table.
They need books read aloud. They need time outdoors. They need responsibilities around the home. They need opportunities to serve others. They need mothers who patiently guide them. And they need fathers who are actively involved in their education.
As a homeschooling father, one of my greatest responsibilities is making sure my wife does not feel like she is homeschooling alone. That means understanding the curriculum.It means helping when lessons become difficult. It means paying attention to our children’s progress.
And sometimes it means closing the laptop, taking the children outside, and remembering that education happens in more places than a computer screen. Monarch Homeschool can provide Christian families with a structured and convenient academic foundation.
For parents who want an online Christian homeschool curriculum that offers flexibility, automated grading, and opportunities for independent learning, Monarch is certainly worth considering. The most important question is not whether Monarch is the perfect homeschool curriculum.
No curriculum is perfect. The better question is whether Monarch fits your children’s learning needs, supports your family’s Christian convictions, reduces unnecessary stress, and helps you build the kind of homeschool life you want for your family.
