What Reviewers Say

Total Health by Susan Boe is widely regarded as a top Christian health curriculum. Reviewers praise its holistic four-point approach integrating physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. The content handles sensitive topics with biblical wisdom. Traditional textbook format but reliable and thorough for satisfying health credits with minimal parent preparation.

How It Works

A student typically works through the textbook independently, reading one section at a time and completing corresponding review questions in the student workbook. The parent uses the Teacher’s Edition to facilitate discussions on sensitive topics like peer pressure or personal hygiene and to grade the chapter tests provided in the manual. Each session takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and most families schedule health two or three days a week to complete the course over one school year. The curriculum relies on three primary components: a hardcover textbook, a consumable student workbook for reinforcement, and a teacher's guide containing answer keys and test masters.

Switching to This?

There are no formal placement tests for this curriculum as it is divided into two distinct levels: Middle School (grades 6-8) and High School (grades 9-12). Families should choose the edition that matches their child's current grade level, though the high school version is frequently used to satisfy a specific half-credit graduation requirement in 9th or 10th grade. Because the chapters are self-contained and modular, families can easily start the program mid-year or even use it as a focused summer intensive. If you are switching from a secular curriculum, expect a significant shift toward biblical integration where physical wellness is taught as an act of stewardship over a God-given body.

Curriculum Details

Price

$32 - $110

Prices vary by grade level and components. A full set typically costs $90-$110.

Grades

6 - 12

Available As

Print

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Health Physical Education

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Pacing

Self-paced

Parent Time

10-20 min/day

Parent Involvement

Minimal

Student Independence

Semi-independent

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Academic Level

Grade level

Worldview

Christian

Parent Role:

Parents facilitate reading assignments, discuss end-of-chapter questions, and administer tests.

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

Compared to Horizons Health, which is more teacher-driven and includes numerous hands-on activities, Total Health is designed for independent reading and is easier for parents who need a student-led option. When weighed against Abeka Health, Total Health offers a more holistic focus on social and mental health, whereas Abeka tends to be more science-heavy with a focus on anatomy and physiology. Parents choosing between Total Health and Lifepac will find that Total Health uses a traditional reusable hardcover textbook, while Lifepac uses ten thin, consumable workbooks that must be repurchased for each child. Unlike Apologia's Health and Nutrition, which is very detailed and time-consuming, Total Health provides a more straightforward and efficient path to fulfilling high school credit requirements. Finally, compared to secular textbooks like Glencoe, Total Health handles sensitive topics like reproductive health through a strictly biblical lens, removing the need for parents to pre-screen or 'filter' the content for their children.

Getting Started