BookShark vs Gather 'Round Homeschool
BookShark
bookshark.comGather 'Round Homeschool
gatherroundhomeschool.comSide by side
| Figure | BookShark | Gather 'Round Homeschool |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $39/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 10 | 2 |
| Spec score · Homeschool Curriculum | 8.4 (#4) | 7.7 (#16) |
| Privacy | BookShark's privacy policy says it collects and uses information when people visit its website or call, and describes the policy as covering collection, use, sharing, and protection of personal information. | The privacy policy says the company does not sell student or subscriber lists or other personal information to third parties. |
| Subjects | Its curriculum includes History, Science, and Language Arts, with several math curriculum options. | Its units cover history, science, language arts, Bible, art and other subjects, while math is available separately. |
| Support | BookShark lists phone support Monday through Thursday from 9am to 4pm Mountain Time and Friday from 9am to 1pm Mountain Time, plus email, text, and advisor meetings. | The site directs families to its support team at [email protected] for help choosing curriculum and Academy options. |
Plans
BookShark
- Virtual Seat for Language Arts D+E$88, paid once
- Virtual Seat for Language Arts H$88, paid once
- Virtual Seat for Science H$88, paid once
- Virtual Seat for HS US Historical Literature & Language Arts$154, paid once
- Virtual Seat for HS World Historical Literature & Language Arts$154, paid once
- Virtual Seat for HS World History$154, paid once
- Virtual Seat for Reading with History B+C$154, paid once
- Virtual Seat for Reading with History D+E$188, paid once
- Virtual Seat for Level I History and Literature$275, paid once
- Virtual Seat for D+E All Subject Package$300, paid once
Gather 'Round Homeschool
- Academy Insider$39 a month
- Individual curriculum products (printed and digital units, bundles, and resourcePrice not published
In their own words
BookShark
BookShark is a literature-based homeschool curriculum for Pre-K through age 16, with History, Science, Language Arts, and several math options. Rather than fixed grades, it uses flexible age-based levels, and children within three years of age can share a Reading with History program while following separate Math and Language Arts levels. Schedules run for 36 weeks, four days per week, with lesson plans, assessments, and parent guidance. BookShark Virtual adds online reading schedules, assessments with instant auto-graded results, parent work tracking, customizable assessments, and student messaging. It integrates Math-U-See and accepts schedules or assignment uploads for Singapore, Singapore Dimensions, Saxon, and RightStart. Virtual does not replace the physical books. Each seat covers one student and one teacher account, and courses must be used within six months of purchase. Families can try the first week of a Virtual course free. Listed Virtual seats range from $88, paid once to $300, paid once; BookShark's pricing note also says From $309.43 · 7-day trial.
Gather 'Round Homeschool
Gather ’Round Homeschool is a Christian curriculum built around unit studies for families teaching multiple ages together, from kindergarten through high school. Units cover history, science, language arts, Bible, art, and other subjects; math is separate. Modular Math covers kindergarten through grade 9, while high school math is not yet available there. Student books range from Pre-Reader through High School, and daily lessons are described as open-and-go with no preparation required. The hybrid curriculum includes lesson plans and parent guidance. A free app for Android, iOS, and the web provides unit links, videos, downloadable book lists and planners, progress tracking, news, and community features. Academy options include live or on-demand teaching, independent enrollment with grading and reports, or combined teaching and enrollment; classes have 10 weeks of replay access. Free downloadable samples include full units, mini units, and other materials. The Academy is a homeschool support service, not an accredited school or school of record. Curriculum licenses are for individual family use; group arrangements require additional ownership or an agreement. Academy Insider costs $39 a month. Individual products vary, with examples from 18.00 USD digital and 15.00 USD printed.