SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z)
SpellingCity, later VocabularySpellingCity, was a popular site for spelling and vocabulary games built from custom word lists. Learning A-Z has replaced it with Vocabulary A-Z, a K–5 vocabulary and spelling program, and spellingcity.com now redirects there.
What is Spelling City?
SpellingCity was a website where teachers and parents typed in a weekly spelling or vocabulary list and kids practiced it through games, then took an automatic test. It later became VocabularySpellingCity and covered K–12. Learning A-Z, the company behind Raz-Plus and Reading A-Z, acquired it and has since replaced it with Vocabulary A-Z.
Today, spellingcity.com redirects to a Learning A-Z page about upgrading to Vocabulary A-Z. If you're looking for the old SpellingCity, this is what replaced it.
How it works
Vocabulary A-Z keeps the core SpellingCity idea, word lists turned into games, and adds more structure. A parent or teacher picks a premade list or creates a custom one. The program then offers activities, quizzes and a printable five-day lesson plan built around that list.
A typical week at home:
- Choose this week's list, from your child's reading book or a premade set.
- Assign a few games each day, or let your child pick.
- Use printable lessons for off-screen practice.
- Let the program give and grade the end-of-week spelling or vocabulary test.
Students earn stars and can customize a rocket and avatar. Parents can see where kids struggle and how long they spend on each activity.
What it covers
| Area | What's included |
|---|---|
| Word lists | Custom lists, plus premade lists from Learning A-Z resources and major reading series |
| Spelling | Game-based practice and auto-graded tests |
| Vocabulary | Vocabulary games, activities and quizzes |
| Lessons | Printable five-day lesson plans and assignable online practice |
| Grades | Kindergarten through 5th grade |
Who it's best for
Vocabulary A-Z suits K–5 teachers and homeschool families who want a full vocabulary and spelling routine with reports, especially if they already use Learning A-Z reading products.
It's not a match if you want the old free or inexpensive SpellingCity, or if your child is past 5th grade. Families who mostly want a weekly list-and-test game can look at Spelling Shed. For a structured homeschool spelling curriculum, see All About Spelling.
Pricing at a glance
Learning A-Z sells Vocabulary A-Z as an annual license. A Homeschool.com review listed it at $108 with a free 14-day trial, and independent sites say the license covers up to 36 students. We couldn't confirm the current family price on Learning A-Z's site in October 2026, so check there before you buy. The old SpellingCity family plans and free accounts are gone.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Possibly. Educational software licenses are allowed in some education savings account programs, but each program decides and many require buying through an approved vendor. See what ESA funds can buy and the scholarships in your state. Save your spelling picks to your Edulist wishlist and apply once.
How it compares
- Spelling Shed is a game-based spelling program worth comparing.
- All About Spelling is a parent-taught, multisensory spelling curriculum.
- Spelling You See is a homeschool spelling curriculum that doesn't rely on weekly word lists.
- Vocabulary.com is better for older students learning word meanings.
Browse more spelling programs and reading programs.
Who SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- K–5 teachers and homeschoolers who want structured vocabulary lessons
- Families already using Learning A-Z products like Raz-Plus
- Kids who practice spelling best through games
Look elsewhere if
- Families wanting the old free or $30-a-year SpellingCity
- Students above 5th grade
- Parents who want only a quick weekly spelling-test tool
SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) pros and cons
Pros
- Keeps the game-based SpellingCity activities kids liked
- Premade lists tied to major reading series and Learning A-Z books
- Builds and grades spelling and vocabulary tests
- Printable lessons and progress reports
Cons
- Old SpellingCity family plans and free accounts are gone
- Higher price, sold as a classroom-style license
- Grade range narrowed to K–5
- Public reviews of the transition are mostly negative
What’s included
- Game-based spelling and vocabulary activities from the original SpellingCity
- Custom word lists plus premade lists tied to reading series and Learning A-Z resources
- Online games, quizzes and printable lessons, including a five-day lesson plan
- Automatic spelling and vocabulary tests with progress reports
- Student access through the Kids A-Z app on Apple, Android and Amazon devices
How much does SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) cost?
SpellingCity's old free and low-cost family memberships are gone. spellingcity.com now redirects to Learning A-Z's page about upgrading to Vocabulary A-Z, which is sold as an annual license. A Homeschool.com review listed Vocabulary A-Z at $108 with a free 14-day trial, and independent sites describe that license as covering up to 36 students. We could not confirm the current price on Learning A-Z's site in October 2026, so check before buying.
Free trial: Homeschool.com reported a free 14-day trial of Vocabulary A-Z; confirm current terms with Learning A-Z.
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.
View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
SpellingCity's Trustpilot page scores 1.6 out of 5 from 158 reviews, with no new reviews in the past year. Most detailed complaints date from 2021–2024 and describe the forced move to Vocabulary A-Z. Praise is mostly nostalgia for the original, easy-to-use SpellingCity.
Common praise
- The original SpellingCity was simple and kids liked it
- Game-based practice made spelling lists more fun
Common complaints
- Vocabulary A-Z is confusing and harder to use
- Lost student data and word lists in the migration
- Slow support and higher cost with a 36-student cap
Sources: trustpilot.com · spellingcity.com
SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) family reviews
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SpellingCity (now Vocabulary A-Z) FAQs
What happened to Spelling City?
SpellingCity, later called VocabularySpellingCity, was replaced by Vocabulary A-Z from Learning A-Z. Going to spellingcity.com now redirects to Learning A-Z's page about upgrading to Vocabulary A-Z.
Is Spelling City still free?
No. The free SpellingCity accounts and low-cost family memberships no longer exist. Vocabulary A-Z is a paid annual license, though a free trial has been offered.
How much does Vocabulary A-Z cost?
A Homeschool.com review listed Vocabulary A-Z at $108 with a 14-day free trial. Learning A-Z doesn't show a family price we could confirm in October 2026, so check its site or contact sales before buying.
What grades is Vocabulary A-Z for?
Vocabulary A-Z is built for kindergarten through 5th grade. The old VocabularySpellingCity covered a wider K–12 range, so older students will need a different tool.
Can I still use my SpellingCity word lists?
Vocabulary A-Z lets you create custom word lists and choose premade lists from reading series and Learning A-Z resources. Some Trustpilot reviewers reported that lists and student data didn't carry over in the migration, so keep your own copies.
What are good alternatives to Spelling City?
Spelling Shed is a game-based spelling program for classrooms and families. For homeschool spelling curriculum, look at All About Spelling, Spelling You See or Sequential Spelling. Vocabulary.com suits older students working on word meanings.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: