BookShark vs Monarch

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.

Monarch is an online homeschool management system and digital curriculum for Christian families, with more than 100 Bible-based courses for grades 3–12. Parents plan the school year, assign courses, and follow student progress; students work through interactive, faith-based lessons at their own pace. Courses are chiefly text, supplemented by short videos, audio clips, and interactive elements, and the platform provides over 85% automatic grading. Parents can place students in courses above or below their age level, regardless of grade. Reader and highlighting tools can help students with learning differences, including dyslexia. Monarch is parent-managed curriculum, not an accredited school. A 30-day trial gives one student unrestricted access to every course and feature. Single Course is $10.95 a month per student; Full Access is $43.95 a month per student. The listed starting price is 109.95 /yr. Monarch runs on iOS, macOS, web, and Windows, and works in modern browsers on Windows and Mac as well as on Chromebooks and iPads.