Switched-On Schoolhouse 8 Complete

Switched on Schoolhouse has been discontinued and our stock is limited. The USB Flash drive will work on current Windows 10 Home or Pro versions (S mode not supported). AOP Technical support will be available until June 2022. According to Alpha Omega, the USB Drive should continue to work on Windows 10 beyond June 2022, but no tech support will be available.

Minimum system requirements: Windows 10 Home or Pro (Up to Date); Dual Core 1.1 GHz or higher (2 GHz recommended), 4 GB RAM, 120 GB minimum total space with 5GB available hard drive space, 1024 x 768 or higher resolution monitor, and Microsoft Office and printer are recommended. Please note that the software is NOT Mac-compatible and is no longer Windows XP or Windows 8 compatible. Windows 10 S Mode is not supported.

Switched on Schoolhouse has been discontinued and our stock is limited. The USB Flash drive will work on current Windows 10 Home or Pro versions (S mode not supported). AOP Technical support will be available until June 2022. According to Alpha Omega, the USB Drive should continue to work on Windows 10 beyond June 2022, but no tech support will be available.

In the past, we have been reluctant to offer a complete computer curriculum for two reasons: 1) the homeschooling family is relying on one publisher for the entire content of its schooling; and, 2) having a student sit in front of a computer all day seems restrictive. Switched-On Schoolhouse, from Alpha Omega Publishers, has eased our first concern and offers advantages over a text-based curriculum for both student and teacher. This curriculum offers all major subject areas (Bible, history & geography, language arts, math and science) from a solid biblical and academic perspective. Content is AOPs LIFEPAC series of worktexts, which has been enhanced by adding interactive, video and audio clips, games and animation. For instance, science experiments are shown via video clips. In geometry, three-dimensional objects are illustrated as computer-generated objects rotating in space. Big events in history, literature, and the Bible can be re-enacted and shown on video. Audio clips of vocabulary and spelling words give correct pronunciations. Students have the ability to print out charts and draw graphs. Auditory learners can even choose to listen to an entire lesson or passages within the lesson instead of reading it. Using this software is therefore much more engaging for the student than using the LIFEPAC worktexts alone and automatic updates ensure that the content is always current. Students will also enjoy switching up homepage themes, widgets and avatars as well as using tools like highlighting text. Available in the USB flash drive format, the CD-ROM based product is no longer available.

For the teacher, advantages include automatic grading and record-keeping, flexible (and customizable) lesson planning tools, reports, attendance tracking, and the ability to allow a student to repeat or skip lessons or problems as needed. You can even print hard copies of assignments, lessons, records and more. Up to five students within a family can use the program (at once or during different years); however, if you update your computer system down the road, you will want to make sure your SOS software remains compatible with your new computer system. [Please also note that if you have previous versions of SOS installed on your computer (prior to 2010), games from the earlier version may be overwritten by the games from the newer version.]

Each grade level is available as either the complete curriculum (all 5 modules: Bible, History & Geography, Language Arts, Math and Science) or individual modules. A wide array of elective courses is also available in this format.

Minimum system requirements: Windows 10 Home or Pro (Up to Date); Dual Core 1.1 GHz or higher (2 GHz recommended), 4 GB RAM, 120 GB minimum total space with 5GB available hard drive space, and a 1024 x 768 or higher resolution monitor. Microsoft Office and a printer are recommended. Please note that the software is NOT Mac-compatible and is no longer Windows XP or Windows 8 compatible. Windows 10 S Mode is not supported.

Given its many advantages and reasonable cost, Switched-On Schoolhouse is well worth considering.

Alpha Omega Publications offers several lines of Bible-based curriculum in all major subject areas. Each one fits different family needs.

LIFEPACs are sets of worktexts and teacher materials. Available for grades K through 12 in all major subject areas and some electives. All instruction and practice is provided in the consumable worktexts. LIFEPAC are a mastery-based curriculum, and is student-paced.

Another option from AOP is Horizons. Horizons is available for grades PK through 12, depending on the subject matter. Horizons curriculum is only available for early learning, math, phonics/reading, spelling/vocabulary, penmanship, health, and physical education. Horizons is more of a teacher-led option.

Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS) is a computer-based curriculum which presents the subject matter and adds multimedia presentations. SOS curriculum is available for grades 3 through 12 in all subject areas and comes in a USB flash drive format (Windows compatibility only). This option works well for the independent learner. Switched on Schoolhouse has been discontinued and our stock is limited. The USB Flash drive will work on current Windows 10 Home or Pro versions (S mode not supported). AOP Technical support will be available until June 2022. According to Alpha Omega, the USB Drive should continue to work on Windows 10 beyond June 2022, but no tech support will be available. Please note that the updated Switched-On Schoolhouse programs are only compatible with Windows 10 systems.

Monarch is Alpha Omega's online option. 50 courses are offered in the areas of Bible, math, history, science, and language arts and are completely online for those who might have a MAC or just want the convenience of online lessons. Individual and multi-student plans are available for grades 3-12. Monarch is compatible with Mac and PC. While we no longer offer it for purchase within our site, you can try it free for 30 days at https://monarch-signup.aop.com using code MON30RRC. You can find all courses here and additional subscription options too!