Switching from IEW to Memoria Press: which level to check first
Find the last IEW level your child worked in to see where to look in Memoria Press, how strong the evidence is, and the free placement test to give next.
In short
No publisher we found publishes a direct IEW to Memoria Press crosswalk, so we place both programs on one shared reading scale from each publisher's own level guidance. Finishing SSS Year 2 Level A in IEW points to Seventh Grade in Memoria Press, or Sixth Grade if the placement test shows gaps (Confirmed by publisher). Evidence across all 7 IEW levels: 7 Confirmed by publisher. The placement test is the real answer.
Checked Oct 17, 2026. Built from the same table as our reading switch helper and methodology page.
Memoria Press readiness assessments (Simply Classical); core placement is by phone
Memoria Press has no placement tests for its core curriculum and suggests choosing literature by reading level: if a book is too hard to read alone, back up a grade. A child starting First Grade should be fluent with short words like cat. Free readiness assessments exist for the Simply Classical line.
Memoria Press covers: phonics (early), literature, spelling, grammar, composition. IEW covers: writing (grammar sold separately as Fix It!).
IEW to Memoria Press, level by level
| Last IEW level | Finished it: look first at | About halfway: look first at | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSS Year 1 Level A | Sixth Grade If the test shows gaps: Fifth Grade | Fourth Grade If the test shows gaps: Third Grade | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| SSS Year 2 Level A | Seventh Grade If the test shows gaps: Sixth Grade | Fifth Grade If the test shows gaps: Fourth Grade | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| SSS Year 1 Level B | Past Eighth Grade, the last level | Seventh Grade If the test shows gaps: Sixth Grade | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| SSS Year 2 Level B | Past Eighth Grade, the last level | Eighth Grade If the test shows gaps: Seventh Grade | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| SSS Year 3 Level B | Past Eighth Grade, the last level | Eighth Grade If the test shows gaps: Seventh Grade | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| SSS Year 1 Level C | Past Eighth Grade, the last level | Past Eighth Grade, the last level | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
| SSS Year 2 Level C | Past Eighth Grade, the last level | Past Eighth Grade, the last level | Confirmed by publisher | Open in the helper |
Why these levels
IEW: IEW places Structure and Style by reading level: Level A for grades 3 to 5, B for 6 to 8, C for 9 and up. Sources: IEW: How to progress in Structure and Style (grade and reading-level bands), IEW FAQ: Level A 3rd to 5th, B 6th to 8th, C 9th to 12th.
Memoria Press: Memoria Press sells its core curriculum by grade and advises choosing literature by reading level. Its staff say a child starting First Grade should be fluent with short words. Sources: Memoria Press staff: no placement tests; choose literature by reading level, Memoria Press staff: first grade starts with real books; fluent with short words.
A match is only as strong as its weaker side. Confirmed by publisher means both publishers state the level we used, not that they confirmed the pairing. Supported by parent reports means at least one side rests on reviewers or parents. Unverified means we found no source for at least one side.
How to make the switch
- Note the last IEW level your child worked in and whether they finished it.
- Find it in the table above and note the evidence level.
- Give the Memoria Press placement guidance on a calm day, without helping. Follow the publisher's instructions for scores near a cutoff.
- Compare the Memoria Press level's scope and sequence with what your child already covered.
- Use free samples or trial lessons for a week before buying the full level.
- Check the sale timing before you buy. When Memoria Press usually goes on sale. When IEW usually goes on sale.
Going the other way? See Memoria Press to IEW. Comparing more programs, or not sure a switch will help? The reading switch helper starts with that question.
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Questions parents ask
Does Memoria Press have a placement test?
Memoria Press readiness assessments (Simply Classical); core placement is by phone: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/special-needs/. Memoria Press has no placement tests for its core curriculum and suggests choosing literature by reading level: if a book is too hard to read alone, back up a grade. A child starting First Grade should be fluent with short words like cat. Free readiness assessments exist for the Simply Classical line.
Is SSS Year 2 Level A in IEW the same as Seventh Grade in Memoria Press?
Not exactly. Programs teach topics in different orders. On our scale, a child who finished SSS Year 2 Level A in IEW is at about the point where Seventh Grade in Memoria Press begins, so that is the level to check first. Evidence level: Confirmed by publisher. No publisher publishes a crosswalk between these two programs.
Why might my child place differently in Memoria Press?
How we placed IEW: IEW places Structure and Style by reading level: Level A for grades 3 to 5, B for 6 to 8, C for 9 and up. How we placed Memoria Press: Memoria Press sells its core curriculum by grade and advises choosing literature by reading level. Its staff say a child starting First Grade should be fluent with short words.
Should we switch at all?
Often a pacing change in the program you own works first: slow down, review, skip ahead or trim problems. A switch makes the most sense when the format or content does not fit your child or family. The switch helper walks through this first.
When does Memoria Press usually go on sale?
No published sale dates, discounts or free trials were found on the brand's own site when we checked. Details and sources: https://homeschoolhaul.com/sale-calendar/memoria-press/
More switch guides
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