Gather 'Round Homeschool

Gather ’Round Homeschool is a Christian curriculum built around unit studies for families teaching children of different ages together, from preschool or kindergarten through grade 12. Its main units cover history, science, language arts, Bible, art, and other subjects, with student books ranging from Pre-Reader through High School. Math is a separate offering: Modular Math covers kindergarten through grade 9, and high school math is not yet available there. Daily lessons are described as open-and-go and requiring no preparation. The hybrid curriculum includes lesson plans and parent guidance. A free app for Android, iOS, and web provides unit links and videos, downloadable resources such as book lists and planners, progress tracking, news, and community features. Academy options include live or on-demand teaching, independent enrollment with grading and reports, or both; classes include replay access for 10 weeks. Downloadable samples cover full units, mini units, and other materials. The Academy is a homeschool support service, not an accredited school or school of record, and parents remain responsible for homeschool requirements. Curriculum licenses are for individual family use; group use has additional requirements.

Gather ’Round combines family unit studies with optional Academy teaching and enrollment services. Review the separate math coverage, Academy status, and family-use license when deciding whether it fits your homeschool.

It suits families homeschooling children at multiple ages who want to teach through shared unit studies. Families seeking math for high school or accredited school enrollment should note the stated limits.

Gather ’Round Homeschool is a Christian curriculum built around shared unit studies for families teaching several ages. It suits households that want siblings to study common topics with level-specific books, with optional Academy classes and services. Its family-centered design is the draw; math is separate, and group use is restricted.

Overview

Designed for preschool and kindergarten through Grade 12, Gather ’Round organizes much of a homeschool day around subjects studied together rather than separate age-based courses. Student books range from Pre-Reader through High School, while the main units are intended for the whole family. That can make a common topic workable across siblings, but it is less suited to parents seeking a single, integrated curriculum that also covers every student’s math.

The curriculum is hybrid, with printed and digital products, lesson plans, parent guidance and offline access. Daily lessons are described as open-and-go and requiring no preparation, a useful format for parents who want a ready-made routine. A free curriculum library offers downloadable samples of full units, mini units and other materials, so families can inspect the approach before purchasing.

Key features

Units span history, science, language arts, Bible, art and other subjects. Sharing a topic while using books at different levels is a clear advantage for multi-age households; families who prefer distinct course sequences for each child may find the shared-unit structure a poorer fit. Math is sold separately: Modular Math covers kindergarten through Grade 9, leaving high-school students to use another option.

The free app gathers unit links and videos, downloadable book lists and planners, progress tracking, news and community features, and works on a phone or computer. Offline access adds flexibility for families who do not want every part of their routine to depend on a live connection. Academy options include live or on-demand teaching, independent enrollment with grading and reports, and a combined teaching-and-enrollment choice. Classes include replay access for 10 weeks. Academy support does not make Gather ’Round an accredited school or school of record; parents remain responsible for homeschool requirements.

The curriculum license is for individual family use. Small-group participants must each own materials, while larger co-ops or hybrid groups need a signed agreement, so families planning shared purchases should check those terms before adopting it. The privacy policy says the company does not sell student or subscriber lists or other personal information to third parties.

Pricing

Gather ’Round offers a free plan and paid curriculum products. Individual printed and digital units, bundles and resources have custom pricing, with digital units from $$18 and printed units from $$15; the format and level affect the price. Math is a separate purchase, and a full curriculum year requires buying it separately. These product options suit families who want to select particular materials, but they do not amount to one all-in price for every subject.

Academy Insider costs $39 a month, billed monthly. It includes live and on-demand classes, a parent hub, monthly summits and a student hub. Grading, report cards and academic support are separate, so families seeking those services should account for them beyond the monthly membership. The free app and downloadable samples give families a way to explore the ecosystem without first committing to a curriculum purchase.

Platforms

The app is available on Android, iOS and the web, including access by phone or computer. Printed and digital curriculum formats, plus offline access, give families options beyond app-based study.

Who it's for

Gather ’Round is strongest for families teaching multiple ages who want shared studies across subjects and are comfortable choosing math separately. It is also worth considering for parents who want optional live or on-demand instruction, enrollment services, or a combined Academy arrangement. It is a weaker fit for high-school families expecting math within the same curriculum, and for co-ops that want to use one family license across a group.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Shared units with books from Pre-Reader through High School let siblings study common topics at different levels.
• Pro: Open-and-go lessons, parent guidance and lesson plans support a ready-to-follow routine.
• Pro: Free app features and sample downloads make it possible to explore resources before buying units.
• Pro: Academy offers live or on-demand teaching and replay access for 10 weeks, with separate enrollment options.
• Con: Math is separate, and Modular Math stops at Grade 9, so high-school students need another math option.
• Con: Academy Insider’s $$39 monthly price does not include grading, report cards or academic support.
• Con: Family-use licensing means small groups need separate purchases and larger groups need a signed agreement.
• Con: The Academy is not an accredited school or school of record, leaving homeschool compliance with parents.

Alternatives

For a broader set of curriculum options, start with Homeschool Curriculum. If math is the priority, Math-U-See has a free account with samples of all program levels and a free trial. RightStart Mathematics is another math-focused choice, with a Level A homeschool book bundle PDF priced at $109.25 as a one-time purchase.

The Good and the Beautiful offers a free plan and a Musical Multiplication app purchase for $24.99 once, with unlimited access and up to six user profiles. For a different homeschool curriculum, consider Memoria Press. BookShark offers a virtual science seat for $88 once, covering one student and one parent or teacher, with courses to be used within six months of purchase. Teaching Textbooks offers Math 3 for $48.95 once, with 12 months’ access for one student and 90 days of pause time. Abeka Homeschool is another paid homeschool option, and All About Learning Press offers literacy-focused materials.

Verdict

Choose Gather ’Round if your family wants siblings learning shared, multi-subject units with optional Academy teaching and services. Its ready-to-follow family structure is the strongest reason to choose it; the separate math purchase, Grade 9 ceiling for Modular Math and limits on group licensing are the main reasons to look elsewhere.