Lumi Academy vs Teaching Textbooks
Teaching Textbooks is a popular self-teaching, computer-based math program — but it only covers math. Here's an honest comparison of scope, format, and price for 2026.
💡 Teaching Textbooks teaches math only, with lecture-style video instruction and automated grading designed for independent student use. Lumi Academy is a full K–8 curriculum — Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies, plus bonus subjects — for one flat price covering up to 8 kids.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Lumi Academy vs Teaching Textbooks — scope, format, and price, head to head.
| Feature |
🌟 Lumi Academy |
📐 Teaching Textbooks |
| Subject Coverage | ✓ Full curriculum — Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies + bonus subjects | Math only |
| Teaching Format | Digital, tap-and-type lessons with adaptive pacing | Computer-based, self-teaching video lectures with automated grading |
| Learning Approach | Adaptive lessons that adjust to each child's level automatically | Sequential course levels, largely independent student pacing |
| Monthly Price | $39.99/mo — all kids, all subjects | Typically licensed per course/child, often billed annually |
| Kids Included | ✓ Up to 8 kids, flat price | Course license generally needed per child |
| Free Trial | ✓ Free 72-hour trial | Sample lessons available; varies by course |
| Grade Range | Pre-K – 8th grade, all subjects | Roughly elementary through high school math levels |
| Non-Math Subjects | ✓ ELA, Science, Social Studies, Coding, Art, Music, Life Skills & more | ✗ Not offered — families pair with separate curricula |
| Attendance & Report Cards | ✓ Built in automatically | Automated grade tracking within the math course |
| Game Engagement Layer | ✓ Coins, streaks, world map, reward store | Not part of the core program |
| Devices Supported | iOS, Android, Fire Tablet, Chromebook, Smart TV, Web | Computer/tablet-based, per platform requirements of the edition |
What Teaching Textbooks Does Well
Teaching Textbooks has built a strong reputation for making math genuinely self-teaching — kids can work through video-led lessons and get automated feedback with minimal parent involvement, which is a huge relief for parents juggling multiple subjects and multiple kids. Its step-by-step lecture format and built-in grading make it a popular choice specifically for families who want an independent, low-friction math option.
✅ Teaching Textbooks Strengths
- Designed to be self-teaching — kids can work through lessons with minimal parent involvement
- Video lecture format walks through each concept step by step
- Automated grading reduces parent workload for math specifically
- Well-known, established option in the homeschool math space
Where the Two Platforms Differ Most
The difference here is scope, not quality. Teaching Textbooks is purpose-built for one job: self-teaching math. It doesn't cover language arts, science, or social studies, so most families pair it with other curricula to round out the school day — which means managing separate logins, schedules, and subscriptions. Lumi Academy folds every core subject plus bonus subjects into one digital platform, with lessons that adapt automatically and attendance/report cards generated without extra setup.
⚖️ Scope Differences to Know
- Teaching Textbooks covers math only — other subjects require separate curricula
- Course licenses are typically needed per child
- No built-in game or reward-based engagement layer
- No single-subscription option covering ELA, Science, and Social Studies
Who Should Choose Each Option
Choose Teaching Textbooks if…
- You want a math program built specifically to be self-teaching
- Your child does well learning from video lectures independently
- You're comfortable sourcing separate curricula for other subjects
- You want automated grading focused just on math
Choose Lumi if…
- You want one subscription to cover every core subject
- You have multiple kids — Lumi's flat price covers up to 8
- You want lessons that adapt automatically without manual setup
- You want attendance records and report cards handled for you
Pairing Teaching Textbooks with Lumi
- Some families keep Teaching Textbooks for self-teaching math and use Lumi for ELA, Science, Social Studies, and bonus subjects.
- Lumi's adaptive pacing fits around whatever math course your child is already progressing through.
- Lumi's attendance tracker and report cards can document your whole homeschool day, including subjects taught outside the app.
- If you want to simplify down to one platform, Lumi's built-in Math track is included at no extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Teaching Textbooks a full curriculum like Lumi Academy?
No. Teaching Textbooks is a math-only program designed to be largely self-teaching for the student, with automated grading and lecture-style video instruction. It does not cover language arts, science, or social studies. Lumi Academy is a full K-8 curriculum covering Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies, plus bonus subjects, all in one subscription.
Is Teaching Textbooks appropriate for younger elementary kids?
Teaching Textbooks is generally used starting in the early-to-mid elementary years and continues through higher math levels, though exact starting points vary by edition. Lumi Academy's math track starts at Pre-K and is adaptive, adjusting automatically to a child's actual level rather than a fixed course level.
Can Teaching Textbooks and Lumi be used together?
Some families use a self-teaching math program like Teaching Textbooks for math while using Lumi Academy for ELA, Science, Social Studies, and bonus subjects like Coding and Art, since Lumi doesn't require you to use its math track exclusively.
Does Lumi Academy grade automatically like Teaching Textbooks?
Yes — Lumi grades lessons automatically across every subject, not just math, and generates weekly parent reports and printable report cards without any manual setup.
Try Lumi Academy Free for 72 Hours
Full K–8 curriculum, every subject. Up to 8 kids on one account.
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