A.C.E. Curriculum: easy, Flexible, Bible-Based Homeschool Program
Hey, homeschooling mamas (and papas)! Ever heard of ACE (Accelerated Christian Education)? It’s been around for decades—and when I used it 30 years ago, it was a breeze. In fact, people still say it’s one of the easiest homeschooling curriculums out there. But is that a good thing? Or is there more to ACE than just easy-to-follow lessons?
Stick around, and let’s break down whether ACE is the curriculum you’ve been waiting for—or if it’s too simple for your homeschool!
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What is A.C.E.? A Quick Overview
A.C.E. is a comprehensive K-12 homeschool curriculum that integrates Bible teachings with core subjects like math, reading, history, and science.
What makes A.C.E. stand out from other curriculums is its focus on mastery-based learning.
This means that students only move on to the next concept once they've fully grasped the current one.
No rushing through material or worrying about "keeping up" with others. A.C.E. allows students to learn at their own pace, and that’s a huge win for both parents and kids!
I’m Rebecca Devitt, homeschool mom of two (Luke, 7, and Penny, 4) and a baby.
And guess what?
I was homeschooled 30 years ago.
Yes, I’m a second-generation homeschooler, and back then, I used ACE.
In fact, I finished my lessons so fast, I felt like I was in a race with time!
So when I decided to revisit it now, I was curious: Does ACE hold up, or is it still too simple?
Today, we’re diving into the ins and outs of ACE, from its structure to its biblical foundation. And we’ll figure out if it’s the best fit for your homeschool.
Let’s chat about the features of this curriculum to better understand the simplicity.
Bible-Based Curriculum for Every Subject
One of the best things about A.C.E. is its Bible-based approach.
Each subject is infused with Scripture, so your child’s education isn’t just about facts and figures—it’s about faith.
They’ll memorize Bible verses, learn wisdom principles, and apply biblical teachings to everyday situations.
This integration of faith and academics helps build a solid foundation for your child’s character development and spiritual growth.
Character Development is Key
Speaking of character, A.C.E. goes above and beyond to teach godly values.
Throughout the curriculum, students learn about 90 character traits of Christ.
These traits—things like kindness, responsibility, humility, and leadership—are woven into every lesson.
As your child progresses through the curriculum, they not only grow academically but also spiritually.
It’s the perfect balance of learning and character-building!
Mastery-Based Learning: No More Falling Behind!
Traditional schools often group students by age and move them along whether they’re ready or not.
But A.C.E. does things a bit differently.
The curriculum follows a mastery-based learning model, meaning each child is encouraged to master a subject before moving on to the next.
This approach ensures that no student is left behind.
Whether your child struggles in a subject or excels at it, they can work at their own pace.
No more feeling like they have to “catch up” with classmates!
What is Spiral and mastery Learning and Why Does It Matter?
Now, let’s talk about something called spiral learning.
You might have heard of it, but if not, here’s the deal: spiral learning is a method where students revisit the material they’ve learned over time.
With A.C.E., each new concept builds upon previous ones, so the learning keeps going in a continuous loop.
This method helps reinforce what your child has already learned while introducing new skills.
It’s like a learning cycle that never stops and keeps building stronger and stronger over time.
But, ACE isn’t just Spiral. It’s also Mastery-based learning.
That is, kids have to master the material before they move on.
And that’s why it’s all so paced, and the child can work at their own… pace.
P.A.C.E. – What Are They and How Do They Work?
P.A.C.E. stands for Packets of Accelerated Christian Education, and these are the building blocks of the entire A.C.E. curriculum.
(You can see what these look like in the image at the top of the page, under the video.)
Think of them as the equivalent of a chapter in a traditional textbook, but much more interactive and hands-on.
Each subject has 12 P.A.C.E.s per level, but the cool thing is that your child isn’t locked into any specific grade level.
They can move ahead in one subject while taking their time in another, depending on their individual needs and progress.
The A.C.E. Diagnostic Test: Tailored Learning for Your Child
Before your child starts with A.C.E., they’ll take a diagnostic test to determine where they stand in terms of skill and knowledge.
This test helps identify any academic weaknesses and creates a tailored learning path for them.
The diagnostic test is a great way to ensure that your child starts at the right level, so they’re neither overwhelmed nor under-challenged.
Flexible Learning Options: Print or Online? You Choose!
A.C.E. offers both print-based and online curriculum options, so you can choose what works best for your family.
If you prefer traditional books, you can stick with the printed P.A.C.E.s.
However, if you’re more tech-savvy or just love the convenience of online learning, A.C.E. also offers ePace, which is the digital version of the curriculum.
You can even access ePace on multiple devices, making it easy to learn on the go.
Plus, an annual access fee gives you control of the ePace account for an unlimited number of students.
Support for Homeschool Families: You’re Not Alone
A.C.E. doesn’t just provide a curriculum; they also offer plenty of support for homeschool families.
Whether you’re new to homeschooling or switching from a different curriculum, A.C.E. has you covered.
You’ll get access to a range of parent training materials that can help you implement the curriculum effectively.
There’s also an online community of homeschoolers who are using A.C.E., so you can exchange tips, ideas, and encouragement with other like-minded families.
Record Keeping Made Simple
One of the challenges of homeschooling is keeping track of records, but A.C.E. makes it easy.
They have a system called the Goal Card, which helps students track their progress and stay on top of assignments.
Each day, your child will record which pages they plan to complete in each subject.
The Student Progress Chart is another fun tool that motivates kids to keep moving forward by placing colored stars next to completed tasks.
Plus, you’ll have the Master Record Sheet to keep track of your child’s progress, tests, and grades. It’s a straightforward, no-stress system that keeps everything organized.
How Much Does A.C.E. Cost?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—cost. A.C.E. is actually pretty affordable.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $260 to $595 per student per year, depending on the number of subjects you choose.
A 4-subject kit will cost less than a 7-subject kit, so you can customize the curriculum to fit your needs and budget.
With some providers (I think Australian ACE does this - pictured below), the more children you homeschool, the more affordable it becomes.
If you want the ePace online version, you can purchase it separately for an additional fee.
For a curriculum that covers everything from math to Bible study, A.C.E. is definitely budget-friendly.
I think for the price, ACE is a good deal—but the question remains: Is it enough for your child’s academic growth?
Pros and Cons of A.C.E. Curriculum
As a quick snapshot, let’s look at some pros and cons.
Pros:
Bible-Based Learning: Strong integration of Scripture and biblical principles in every subject.
Mastery-Based Approach: Students progress only when they fully understand a concept, allowing for a deeper grasp of material.
Individualized Learning: Kids can move at their own pace, catering to different learning speeds and styles.
Character Development: I love this! There is a focus on teaching Christ-like character traits such as kindness, humility, and responsibility.
Flexible Options: Both print-based and online learning (ePace) are available, so you can choose what works best for your family.
Affordable: A.C.E. offers a budget-friendly solution, especially if you have multiple children.
Minimal Supervision: The curriculum is designed to be self-paced, requiring minimal supervision, making it great for busy parents.
Cons:
Not Challenging for Some Kids: Some parents feel that A.C.E. doesn’t push older or advanced students enough, particularly in terms of critical thinking and deeper learning (especially in younger years).
Limited Depth in Some Areas: The focus on recall learning may leave little room for in-depth exploration of complex topics, especially as children get older.
Not Hands-On: The curriculum is more traditional and less focused on interactive or hands-on learning experiences.
Lack of Emphasis on Critical Thinking: While A.C.E. is great for foundational learning, it doesn't always emphasize the higher-level thinking skills that some other curricula do.
Potential for Redundancy: The spiral approach can feel repetitive for some students, as it frequently revisits the same concepts.
So, Is ACE Too Easy?
Now, the million-dollar question: Is ACE too easy?
Well, yes—and no.
ACE is known for being straightforward and simple to use, which is a huge plus for many homeschool families.
The self-paced nature allows kids to move ahead when they’re ready, and the mastery-based approach ensures they truly understand a concept before moving on.
But here’s the catch: if your child is a fast learner, they may breeze through the material and feel like they’re not being challenged.
It’s easy to get through the lessons quickly, and for some families, that can leave them questioning if their kids are truly growing in their academic skills or just going through the motions.
ACE doesn’t push deep critical thinking or advanced problem-solving.
Instead, it focuses on mastering foundational skills, which means it works great for younger children or those who need reinforcement in certain subjects.
But for some students or those looking for something more rigorous, it might not be enough.
So, is ACE too easy?
It was for our family, but there are plenty of families who love it and don’t find it so.
A.C.E. vs. Other Homeschool Options: Is It the Best Fit for You?
If you’ve been researching homeschool curricula, you’ve probably come across other options like Christian Light Education and Alpha Omega’s Life Pac.
How does A.C.E. stack up?
Well, A.C.E. is often considered one of the easiest homeschooling options out there.
Its relaxed pace is perfect for younger students or kids who need extra time to master a subject.
However, some families may find that A.C.E. doesn’t challenge some students enough, especially when it comes to critical thinking and deeper learning (when I used it 30 years ago, this was the case for my family - so we moved onto another curriculum).
If your kids thrive on challenges, you might consider other curricula offering more rigor, such as BJU Press which is what I use with my kids (pictured below).
But for families who want a more laid-back, flexible approach, A.C.E. is hard to beat.
