BJU Press Math vs Saxon Math
The sharpest difference is faith content: BJU Press Math is Integrated, Saxon Math is None. Seven more separate them, which makes these close to opposite choices.
At a glance
BJU Press Math
Grades K-12
Owners report it suits
Hands-on learnersSaxon Math
Grades K-12
Owners report it suits
Independent workersWhere they differ
| Attribute | BJU Press Math | Saxon Math |
|---|---|---|
Rigor
?How demanding the material is versus grade level. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Parent involvement
?How much the parent is present and teaching. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Prep load
?How much the parent prepares before a lesson. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Screen time
?How much daily work is on a device. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Independence
?How much the child can do alone. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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Time commitment
?How long a daily lesson takes the child. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
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| Faith content | Integrated | None |
| Approach | Blended | Spiral |
| Best for Tags show where owners consistently report a good fit. They are not exclusions. | Hands-on learners | Independent workers |
| Method | TraditionalManipulative-drivenTraditional textbook | TraditionalTraditional textbook |
| Grades | K-12 | K-12 |
Solid tags are unique to that program. Muted tags are carried by both.
Where they match
- Formatboth Textbook
- Used asboth Spine
How each one plays by grade
BJU Press Math
Grades K-12
K-6 is manipulative-heavy and parent-taught. Grade 7 up moves to a standard textbook students can work more independently. The online video course (DLO) changes the math entirely, with kids working mostly on their own, so involvement, independence, and screen time all shift toward digital if you choose it.
Saxon Math
Grades K-12
Parent-led and scripted in K-3, mostly independent from 5/4 up.
Cost
| Cost item | BJU Press Math | Saxon Math |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $117-187/grade kit | $90-140/kit |
| Consumable | Partial | Partial |
| Per child / year | ~$120-180 first child, ~$30-60 after | ~$100 |
What parents report
BJU Press Math
Consistently praised
- Teaches the why behind the math
- Manipulatives suit hands-on kids
- Scripted teacher edition guides new parents
- Colorful worktexts with fun characters
- Consistent biblical worldview
Reported as challenges
- Teacher-intensive, hard with several kids
- Heavy prep cutting and organizing materials
- Classroom-designed lessons need adapting
- Expensive with many components
Saxon Math
Consistently praised
- Thorough review builds retention
- Strong for computation and test prep
- Upper levels work independently
- Incremental steps rarely leave gaps
Reported as challenges
- Lessons run long
- Repetitive daily mixed review
- Topic-jumping spiral frustrates some kids
- Layout looks dated
Who BJU Press Math fits
Pairs a hands-on kid with a parent who doesn't mind teaching each lesson from a script, concepts before procedure. Parents juggling several children, wanting open-and-go, or chasing acceleration should look elsewhere or move to the online video course.
Read the full BJU Press Math entry Check price BJU PressWho Saxon Math fits
Built for kids who do well with daily review and repetition, in families that want a thorough offline program with a long runway. Short lessons, a mastery track that stays on one topic, and a colorful open-and-go page are three things Saxon doesn't offer.
Read the full Saxon Math entry Check price Rainbow ResourceSome links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes how a curriculum is described or scored.
Still deciding?
BJU Press Math compared with
Descriptions aggregate what homeschool parents consistently report across public community sources together with each publisher's own materials. Prices and editions change over time. Both entries last reviewed August 2026.