Christian Light Education
Affordable, self-paced Christian curriculum from a conservative Mennonite publisher, built on consumable LightUnit worktexts for preschool through 12th grade. Optional Christian Light Academy adds accredited record-keeping and diplomas.
What is Christian Light Education?
Christian Light Education, often called CLE, is the curriculum line from Christian Light Publications, a conservative Mennonite publisher. It serves homeschools, Christian schools and churches with materials from preschool through 12th grade. Most courses are built on LightUnits: consumable worktexts that teach, practice and test in one booklet.
How it works
Each course is a set of LightUnits plus a teacher's guide. In most elementary subjects there are 10 LightUnits per year, and a student finishes one about every 17 school days. Each LightUnit ends with a test, and the course grade comes from those tests.
Lessons are short and step-by-step. Young children need a parent beside them, but students often work more on their own as they move up. The style is mastery-based with steady review, which is a big part of why CLE math has a loyal following.
What it covers
| Stage | Courses |
|---|---|
| Preschool | Beginner's Activity Set |
| Kindergarten | Kindergarten 1 and 2, readiness series |
| Grades 1–8 | Reading, Bible, language arts, math, science, social studies |
| Grades 9–12 | Bible, math, science, social studies, English or literature |
| Electives | Spanish, art, music, penmanship, accounting, carpentry, home economics and more |
You can mix levels by subject. A child might do Math 4 and Language Arts 3 at the same time.
Who it's best for
CLE fits families who want a thorough Christian homeschool curriculum at a low price, and children who like knowing exactly what to do next. It also appeals to families who want homeschool math curriculum with strong mastery and review.
It is less suited to kids who need color and hands-on projects, to families who want video teaching, or to anyone uncomfortable with conservative Anabaptist content and pictures.
Christian Light Education pricing at a glance
CLE is priced per course, not per grade. As of October 2026, a full 10-LightUnit Math 3 set is $55.50, with a $24.95 teacher's guide. Shipping is free in the US and Canada on orders over $70. Returns earn full credit within 45 days and half credit up to 90 days.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Often. Many programs, including Arizona ESA and Florida scholarships, commonly allow curriculum purchases. Each program decides what qualifies and how you buy. Save Christian Light to your wishlist and check scholarships in your state to apply once through Edulist.
How it compares
Rod and Staff is the closest cousin: also Mennonite, also affordable, but more traditional textbooks and more parent teaching. Abeka is more colorful and drill-heavy and costs more. Alpha Omega LIFEPAC uses a similar worktext format. Families leaving The Good and the Beautiful often move here for math. See the best homeschool curriculum.
Who Christian Light Education is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Families who want a low-cost, complete Christian curriculum
- Students who like clear, step-by-step worktexts they can do on their own
- Parents who want strong mastery math and grammar
- Families who need flexible placement by subject
Look elsewhere if
- Children who need color, games or hands-on projects to stay engaged
- Secular families or those uncomfortable with conservative Anabaptist content
- Parents who want video teaching or an online platform
Christian Light Education pros and cons
Pros
- Very affordable per course
- Mastery approach with steady review
- Free diagnostic placement tests for math and language arts
- Students can work more independently as they grow
- Optional accredited record-keeping and diploma through Christian Light Academy
Cons
- Workbook-heavy and visually plain
- Illustrations and content reflect conservative Mennonite life
- Some courses still lack updated editions or teacher's guides
- Pricing is per course, so building a full grade takes some work
What’s included
- LightUnit worktexts: 10 per course in most elementary subjects
- Mastery-focused math and language arts with built-in review
- Free printable diagnostic tests for math and language arts, grades 1–8
- Teacher's guides with answers for each course
- High school courses with academic, general and vocational tracks
- Christian Light Academy for accredited record-keeping, report cards and diplomas
- Electives such as Spanish, art, music, accounting, carpentry and home economics
Christian Light Education levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool and Kindergarten | Pre-K–K | Beginner's Activity Set for preschool; Kindergarten 1 and 2 with readiness series. |
| Grades 1–8 | 1–8 | Reading, Bible, language arts, math, science and social studies, mostly as 10 LightUnits per course. Grade 1 starts with Learning to Read. |
| Grades 9–12 | 9–12 | Bible, math, science, social studies and an English or literature course each year, plus electives. |
Free printable diagnostic tests for language arts and math in two books per subject (grades 1–4 and 5–8). Start below grade level and keep testing until the score drops. Place reading at the same level as language arts.
Official Christian Light Education placement test ↗How much does Christian Light Education cost?
Christian Light sells each course as a set of LightUnit worktexts plus a teacher's guide, rather than one price per grade. As of October 2026, the Math 3 LightUnit Set (Math 301–310, 10 LightUnits, 170 lessons) is $55.50, or $5.55 per LightUnit; the Math 3 Teacher's Guide is $24.95 and the optional Answer Key Set is $38.50. Required flash cards for Math 2–4 are $18.95. Other courses and grades are priced on their own pages.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math 3 LightUnit Set (10 LightUnits) | $55.50 | One-time | — |
| Math 3 Teacher's Guide | $24.95 | One-time | — |
| Math 3 Answer Key Set | $38.50 | One-time | — |
Free trial: No trial. Sample pages are available on course pages through the See a Sample button.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
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Christian Light Education FAQs
Is Christian Light Education Mennonite?
Yes. Christian Light describes itself as a conservative Mennonite publisher, and its illustrations show Mennonite dress. Many non-Mennonite Christian families use it as well.
Is Christian Light Education accredited?
The curriculum is not a school, but Christian Light Academy offers accredited record-keeping and diplomas. The Academy is accredited by the National Association of Private Schools. At least three Christian Light courses are required each year.
What is a LightUnit?
A LightUnit is a consumable worktext that covers one chunk of a course. Most elementary courses have 10, and finishing one about every 17 school days completes a grade in a year. Final grades come from the LightUnit test, sometimes averaged with quizzes.
How do I place my child in Christian Light?
Use the free diagnostic tests for math and language arts, along with the teacher's manual that explains scoring. Christian Light suggests starting below grade level and continuing until your child scores too low to move on.
Is there a Christian Light Education discount code?
Christian Light does not publish public coupon codes. Its official savings are free shipping over $70 in the US and Canada, a clearance section, and discounts for Christian Light Academy families.
Can I return Christian Light materials?
Yes, with a return authorization number. Saleable, current-edition items get full credit within 45 days and half credit from 45 to 90 days. Shipping charges are not credited.
Can an ESA pay for Christian Light Education?
Often, when the program allows curriculum purchases. Check whether your program buys through a marketplace or reimburses, and confirm before ordering.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources:
- christianlight.org
- christianlight.org · faq
- christianlight.org · by grade
- christianlight.org · grade 3
- christianlight.org · math
- christianlight.org · se math 301 310 lightunit set
- christianlight.org · diagnostic tests
- christianlight.org · academy
- rainbowresource.com · 072255.html
- cathyduffyreviews.com · christian light education mathematics for grades 1 8