Technology, like anything else, can be used for good or evil. AI is no different. The Bible says that whatever we do, we should do it to the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31). I used alter.systems* to make the chart shown above.
One good use of AI is as a research tool. In fact, AI can provide some of the most unbiased conclusions available. Unless of course if it has bias programmed into it. I have found alter.systems to provide some of the most unbiased responses.
When prompted with various questions, AI works by scouring archived and present information and summarizing it. The only problem is, if the internet is full of misleading or false information, AI will yield a summary that is also false.
Memorization is freedom
While the trend is changing, the vast majority of US government-run schools still employ a “discovery,” or process approach to mathematics, that minimizes or even frowns upon memorization of basic mathematical rules and definitions. And, according to AI, the reason they do this is because the process approach is entrenched in teacher colleges.
Here is a simple way to think about it. “Process” is like showing your work on a math problem. “Content” is memorizing rules and definitions. A “process only” format leads to correct answers simply for writing about how to solve the problem (yes there are schools that count the problem correct simply for discussing it!). A “content only” format leads to writing down answers without proving how you got the answer. Clearly, the best format is “process+content,” a format that leads to truth while explaining how you got there.
So, if you have no truth memorized (no content), you are more likely to just make stuff up. And making stuff up that doesn’t work when applied in the real world is not freedom. If you memorize truth, starting with Scripture, that is freedom. If you memorize it, you own it. It’s stored in your memory and no lack of internet or teachers or books or dictators can keep you from the truth.
Did you know Leonard Euler, considered the greatest mathematician ever, supposedly memorized the ENTIRE New Testament? And a lot of the Psalms and other OT passages too, on top of the massive number of mathematical rules and definitions he had stored in memory. God designed people-especially young people-with incredible abilities to store information and recall it.
Shormann Math Ranked #1 by AI, Best “Classical-Reform” Curriculum
It was thoughts like these that prompted me to ask AI (alter.systems), “what math programs are identified with a ‘content over process’ approach? AI responded with the above list of 15. I then asked it to rank them, from first to last, regarding which would be the best to use in a classical Christian homeschool or school setting. I also asked it to rank them according to their inclusion of a Biblical foundation, a pro-American stance, a STEAM emphasis, and math history emphasis. AI ranked Shormann Math as the clear winner. AI considered the last two, MyMath Academy and Life of Fred Math as supplemental curriculum due to having less rigor than other programs listed.
What the Columns Mean
- Biblical foundation: Explicitly teaches mathematics as a coherent part of God’s created order — not merely with a Christian atmosphere, but with direct Scripture‑based reasoning about number, measurement, law, and logic coming from the God of the Bible.
- Patriotic: affirming America’s founding ideals — ordered liberty, objective truth, moral law, and individual responsibility — Biblical ideals that transcend mere partisan politics.
- STEAM: Science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. An expanded version of STEM that includes art. Used to describe courses that integrate these concepts.
- Math history: Helps explain the “why” of math that students often long for, by connecting modern math to its founders, who were overwhelmingly Christians.
- Content+Process Balance: Emphasizes the importance of memorizing rules and definitions(content), plus understanding(process). Done properly, the course contains enough rigor to build fluency.
Other things to Consider
- What were the sources AI used? When asked, AI systems provide a list of websites it collected information from. To create the chart above, AI used each math program’s company website, combined with online curriculum reviews. A list online source material is available below. So, it is not like AI went out and purchased every curriculum listed, scoured each one word-for-word, and drew its own conclusions. AI drew its conclusions based on the conclusions of others, which can be neutral or biased.
- Shormann Math is not K-12. Of the 15 math programs listed, some are K-12. At the time of writing (Nov. 2025), Shormann Math has Prealgebra through Calculus 2, with a “Shormann 6” arithmetic course scheduled for release at the end of 2026. When I asked AI to include providers of Prealgebra-Calculus 2 courses only, including CLEP/AP Prep, the number of providers dropped to four. Shormann Math was still the clear winner, followed by Saxon Math+DIVE, Art of Problem Solving(secular humanist worldview), and the supplemental Life of Fred curriculum.
- Saxon+DIVE Lectures are better than just Saxon. Again, the ranking system emphasizes what is best for a classical Christian homeschool or school. DIVE lectures bring in biblical and historical content not found in the Saxon textbooks. On its own, Saxon ranked 8th.
- The ranking emphasizes Biblical foundation and content/process. The original question was which curriculum is BEST for a classical Christian homeschool or school. The AI algorithm then used that to weight more heavily the Biblical foundation, as well as the way it is taught (content/process). When all 5 columns are weighed equally, Shormann Math is still on top, but Saxon+DIVE drops to 4th beneath BJU and Abeka. However, BJU and Abeka do not have the rigor or the fluency-building continual review of Saxon.
Conclusions
Based on what companies say about their own math programs, plus what reviewers say, AI concludes Shormann Math is the best fit for classical Christian homeschools and schools. You can learn more here: https://diveintomath.com/shormann/
References
Alter.systems created the rankings using the following secondary reviews and pedagogical references:
https://cathyduffyreviews.com/
https://classicalchristian.org
https://classicaldifference.com/journal/
https://classicaleducation.institute
https://www.edweek.org
https://link.springer.com/journal/13394
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Individual reviews exist for Shormann, BJU, Abeka, Saxon, RightStart, Singapore, AoPS, etc., which AI used, but are too numerous to list here.
*FYI, alter.systems has pledged to never generate adulterous content (porn).
Studying His Word and His Works 