Rod and Staff
Low-cost, Bible-based textbook curriculum from a conservative Mennonite publisher in Crockett, Kentucky, covering preschool through about 10th grade. Known for thorough mastery math (Mathematics for Christian Living) and grammar (Building Christian English). Sold by phone and through distributors.
What is Rod and Staff curriculum?
Rod and Staff Publishers is a conservative Mennonite publisher in Crockett, Kentucky. It began in 1958 as Pilgrim Mennonite Press and is run by a board representing several Mennonite churches. Its Bible-based textbooks cover preschool through about 10th grade.
Two series carry its reputation: Mathematics for Christian Living and Building Christian English. Many families who use other curricula still buy one of these.
How it works
Rod and Staff is a traditional, parent-taught textbook program. For each subject you buy a student book and a teacher's manual. The manual shows a reduced copy of the student page with answers filled in, plus lesson notes. You teach the lesson, the child practices, and you check the work.
Math is mastery-based. Children stay on one skill for a long time with plenty of practice, speed drills and review. Grade 1 math, for example, is split into two student books covering 170 lessons.
Pages are mostly black and white with simple illustrations. The tone is calm and old-fashioned, with rural life and Bible stories woven through.
What it covers
| Stage | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Preschool (ages 3–5) | Readiness workbooks |
| Grades 1–4 | Phonics, reading, spelling, penmanship, English, math, Bible, science, social studies |
| Grades 5–8 | Reading for grades 5–9, English, math, science, health, social studies |
| Grades 9–10 | Limited upper-level courses |
| Extras | Music, art, typing, remedial reading and English, special education |
Who it's best for
Rod and Staff suits families who want a thorough Christian homeschool curriculum for very little money, and parents looking for homeschool math curriculum with real mastery. It is also a good pick if you want one strong subject to pair with something else.
Look elsewhere if your child needs color, games or screens, if you want a self-teaching program, or if you want secular content.
Pricing at a glance
Rod and Staff is among the least expensive full curricula. As of October 2026, a complete Grade 1 math set sells for about $70 through Memoria Press, with student books around $8.50 each. Used copies are easy to find. Check the edition, since the current math is the 3rd edition.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Often. Programs such as Arizona ESA and Florida scholarships commonly allow curriculum purchases. Because Rod and Staff does not sell online, you may need to buy from a distributor your program works with. Save it to your wishlist and check scholarships in your state to apply once through Edulist.
How it compares
Christian Light Education is the closest match: also Mennonite and affordable, but built on worktexts students can do more on their own. Abeka and BJU Press are more colorful and cost much more. Memoria Press uses Rod and Staff math inside its classical packages. For math alone, compare Saxon Math and Horizons Math. See the best homeschool curriculum.
Who Rod and Staff is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Families on a tight budget who want thorough, traditional textbooks
- Parents who want strong mastery math or rigorous grammar
- Christian families comfortable with conservative Anabaptist content
- Families mixing one strong subject into another curriculum
Look elsewhere if
- Families who want colorful, hands-on or screen-based learning
- Parents who need an independent, self-teaching program
- Secular families
Rod and Staff pros and cons
Pros
- Very low cost per subject
- Mastery math with lots of practice and speed drills
- Thorough grammar and composition in Building Christian English
- Teacher's manuals include answers and reduced student pages
- Durable books with strong resale and used availability
Cons
- No official website; ordering by phone, catalog or distributors
- Plain pages with few illustrations
- Parent-taught; children rarely work alone in early grades
- Content reflects a conservative Mennonite, rural worldview
What’s included
- Mathematics for Christian Living series with a mastery approach and speed drills
- Building Christian English grammar and composition series
- Preschool workbooks for ages 3–5
- Reading, phonics, spelling, penmanship, Bible, science, health, social studies and music
- Remedial reading, remedial English and special education materials
- Teacher's manuals with reduced student pages and answers
Rod and Staff levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool | Pre-K | Workbooks for ages 3–4 and 4–5 covering readiness skills. |
| Grades 1–4 | 1–4 | Phonics and reading, spelling, penmanship, English, math, Bible, science and social studies. Grade 1 math starts at the beginning of first grade. |
| Grades 5–8 | 5–8 | Reading series for grades 5–9, Building Christian English, Mathematics for Christian Living, science, health and social studies. |
| Grades 9–10 | 9–10 | Upper-level English, math and other courses; the line stops around 10th grade. |
How much does Rod and Staff cost?
Rod and Staff does not sell through its own website. Prices come from its printed catalog or from distributors. As of October 2026, Memoria Press sells the complete Grade 1 math set (Mathematics for Christian Living, 3rd edition) for $70.40, with student books at $8.50 each and the hardcover teacher's manual at $25.95. Used copies are widely available.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 Math complete set (retailer price) | $70.40 | One-time | — |
| Grade 1 Math Teacher Manual (retailer price) | $25.95 | One-time | — |
Free trial: No trial. Milestone Books posts sample pages for most Rod and Staff books.
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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Rod and Staff FAQs
Does Rod and Staff have a website?
No official one. Rod and Staff Publishers takes orders by phone and mails a printed catalog, and its books are sold through distributors such as Milestone Books and Memoria Press. Sites calling themselves unofficial Rod and Staff pages are not run by the publisher.
How do I order Rod and Staff?
Call the publisher in Crockett, Kentucky, at (606) 522-4348 to order or request a catalog, or buy from a distributor online. Distributors usually post sample pages, which helps with placement.
Is Rod and Staff Mennonite?
Yes. Rod and Staff is a conservative Mennonite publisher, founded in 1958 as Pilgrim Mennonite Press and overseen by a board representing several Mennonite churches. Many non-Mennonite families use its books.
Is Rod and Staff math good?
Many families consider it a strength. Mathematics for Christian Living uses a mastery approach, spending a long time on each skill with plenty of practice and speed drills. Memoria Press even uses Rod and Staff math in its early grades.
What grades does Rod and Staff cover?
Preschool through about 10th grade. Coverage at the high school level is limited, so most families switch to another publisher for later high school.
Can an ESA pay for Rod and Staff?
Often, when the program allows curriculum. Because the publisher does not sell online, you may need to buy from a distributor your program works with or pay and seek reimbursement.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources:
- milestonebooks.com
- milestonebooks.com · Rod and Staff Curriculum by Grade
- milestonebooks.com · Mathematics for Christian Living Series
- memoriapress.com · rod staff grade 1 math set
- memoriapress.com · rod and staff grade 1 math teacher manual third edition
- anabaptists.org · ras
- sawpublishing.com · spotlight on rod and staff publishers inc
- numaschool.com · rod and staff