Best Christian Homeschool Science Curriculum
We have used a ton of different science curriculums over the 15 years we have been homeschooling. Not because we couldn’t find a good one, but because I changed curriculum to fit the needs and learning styles of our children as they grew. This list of the Best Christian Homeschool Science Curriculum is meant to give you a good starting place while you are trying to find the best fit for your family.
Easy Peasy All-in-One (Best Free Option)
This program is super popular for those that are just getting started with homeschooling or have just pulled their kiddos out of school, because it’s literally.. EASY not to mention, budget friendly. You just go to the website and print off your lessons.
Easy Peasy is a free, comprehensive homeschool curriculum that includes science. It has a Christian Creationist perspective.
Pros:
✔ Completely free
✔ Minimal materials required
✔ Full homeschool curriculum (not just science)
Cons:
✔This program is not as in-depth as other programs that you pay for.
✔There are limited hands-on experiments compared to other options.
Science Shepherd (Best Independent curriculum)
This isn’t a program I have used, but I reached out to a good friend who used it for elementary with her children. Science Shepherd offers a comprehensive, Biblically-based homeschool science curriculum designed for students from elementary through high school. It’s designed by a homeschool family, and emphasizes independent study with reader-friendly materials.
Pros:
✔Has Video teachings to go with the lessons
✔This curriculum is designed for students to work independently, reducing the need for intensive parental involvement
✔Offers a wide range of science topics suitable for various educational levels.
✔Provides video-based lessons and workbooks, allowing families to tailor the pace and depth of study.
Cons:
✔Some courses, particularly at the middle and high school levels, may be more rigorous than other homeschool curricula, requiring a higher level of student attention.
✔Relies heavily on video lessons, which may not suit all learning styles.
Thoughts from my friend: “For us it was great during times when life was chaotic because the video was there and the worksheets were easy to complete. The videos weren’t necessarily the most exciting but thorough and since they were short it was ok that they weren’t super exciting.”
Related Post: Homeschool Curriculum Reviews
Sonlight (Best Literature-Based Program)
Sonlight was the first curriculum we used when we first started homeschooling. Its strong literature component was what drew me in, I loved the literature aspect of it, and if you are a fan of learning through living books, then this would be a great option because science is taught through the literature.
Pros:
✔ Great for book lovers
✔ Hands-on experiments included (you can purchase the box of science/lab supplies to go along with the lessons)
✔ Balanced approach between different scientific viewpoints
Cons:
✔Can be expensive due to the book-heavy nature
✔Requires parent involvement for reading-heavy lessons
We loved our time with Sonlight and enjoyed the science curriculum, but because of the expense in our early days of homeschooling on one income, we only stuck with it for a year.
Apologia Science (Best Overall Science Program)
You would have to sleep under a rock in the homeschool world to not have come across Apologia in your curriculum search. It’s a popular one that wins many homeschool awards for its engaging content. We have used Apologia at one time or another throughout our homeschooling years.
Pros:
✔ The curriculum for elementary is highly engaging.
✔ It works for multiple age and easy to use for families with multiple kids
✔ Offers lab kits and online course options
Cons:
✔The junior high and high school curriculums are vastly different than their elementary books. The reading level is more on a collegiate level, so if you have a child who struggles with reading or comprehension, the older level books may not work for them.
✔Some parents may prefer a more structured, traditional textbook approach then the more casual readings and projects found in the elementary books.
✔Requires parent involvement, especially for younger students
Monarch (by Alpha Omega Publications) (Best Online Program)
Monarch is a fully online curriculum that is perfect for families that need more flexibility and really great for families that can’t be right next to their children all the time. (example: work at home families, or families homeschooling lots of children) It covers four major science strands: Life Science, Earth & Space Science, Physical Science, and Nature of Science.
Pros:
✔ Monarch is 100% online—no physical books are required
✔ This is a Self-paced program with auto-grading (yaay for no grading!)
✔ Comprehensive coverage of scientific topics
Cons:
✔This program doesn’t start until 3rd grade.
✔Because it’s entirely online, you have to rely on your internet access as well any technical difficulties on their end.
Lifepac Science (by Alpha Omega Publications) (Best Self-Paced Workbook Program)
If you are a family that is workbook driven, then Lifepac Science might be perfect for you. My son was one of those. He didn’t want to do any experiments, or spend time exploring… he just wanted to get his work done and move on. Lifepac is completely offline and self-paced, so your student can move through the curriculum independently at their own pace.
Pros:
✔ There are no screens—perfect for families wanting a workbook-based approach
✔ Encourages independent learning
✔ This is a mastery-based format, which ensures comprehension
Cons:
✔Requires parent grading
✔ If you have a child that likes hands on learning, this program is not going to be the one you choose.
Abeka Science (Best Traditional Christian Program)
Are you even a homeschooler if you haven’t heard of Abeka? It’ one of the most well-known Christian traditional homeschool curriculums . Abeka offers both traditional textbooks as well as video lessons, and if you do the online portion- it’s one of the few programs that offer accreditation (Abeka Academy). We have used Abeka at various times throughout our homeschool journey, and most recently used their Highschool Chemistry curriculum.
Pros:
✔ Offers both parent-led and video-based instruction
✔ Strong Biblical worldview integration
✔ Comprehensive and structured
Cons:
✔Abeka can be more rigid compared to other flexible homeschooling options.
✔Requires purchasing materials separately for each student
✔Some of their curriculum is not as rigorous as other homeschool science curriculums.
Berean Builders (Best for Critical Thinking & Hands-On Learning)
Just like the Berean’s in the Bible, the Berean Builders curriculum encourages students to dig in and think critically about science. It has a strong bible and history integrated approach, and the curriculum includes lab kids and experiments, perfect for hands on learners.
Pros:
✔ Encourages independent thinking
✔ Hands-on activities and lab kits included
✔ Faith-based, but encourages analytical thinking
Cons:
✔ This curriculum is most effective with parents around to discuss and wrestle with their kiddos over the material.
✔If you are someone who likes a highly structured curriculum, you may find yourself shying away from this one.
BJU Press Science (Best Video-Based Christian Curriculum)
We have loved all of the curriculum that we have purchased from BJU Press. Most recently we have completed their Biology and Anatomy and Physiology curriculum and have enjoyed how they both are rigorous and thorough in nature and integrates a strong biblical worldview in its teaching. While we didn’t use the video option, I know others that have and have said that they are excellent. This curriculum is perfect for homeschool parents who need independent learning options.
Pros:
✔ The Video lessons reduce parent teaching time
✔ It’s Comprehensive, rigorous, and easily understandable as well as well-structured
✔ Strong faith-based approach to science
Cons:
✔Video lessons may not appeal to all students
✔It may not be as affordable as other options
Veritas Press (Best Classical Science Program)
If you are looking for a Christian Classical Science Curriculum then Veritas Press will probably be your best option. It follows the classical method of moving students through the grammar, logic and rhetoric stages. Veritas Press offers both traditional and online courses and if you are wanting some help deciding or if you have questions about their program you can talk to someone in their company before purchasing.
Pros:
✔ If you are a classical homeschooler this is a great option.
✔ Online and textbook-based options
✔ Free consultation with experienced homeschool parents
Cons:
✔The consultation before purchasing might feel like an extra step
✔The Classical approach may not work for every family
✔Does not have elementary science options.
Answers in Genesis (Best for Creation-Based Science)
We LOVE Answers in Genesis. I attended a conference with Ken Ham at the beginning of our homeschool journey and have been hooked ever since. Their science curriculum has a strong biblical worldview with a strong apologetics theme throughout.
Pros:
✔ Strong Biblical integration
✔ Hands-on experiments included
✔ Lessons can be adjusted for different timeframes (30 minutes to 2 hours)
Cons:
✔While we have really enjoyed their elementary curriculum, we have found that some of their other curriculum was lacking in structure and often times difficult to decipher the answers that they were trying to conclude. I also feel that some of the material was hard to follow.
✔Exclusively creationist, which may not work for every family
✔Some lessons can be quite detailed and time-consuming
*Note, I didn’t research this further to find out if Master Books and Answers in Genesis are a subsidiary of one or the other or just have a partnership, but most of what Answers in Genesis publishes in the way of science curriculum is Master Books. So this review really is for both.
Finding the Best Christian Homeschool Science Curriculum shouldn’t be hard
There’s no one-size-fits-all homeschool science program and the options are wide and vary enough for you to find the right curriculum for you and your child’s learning style. Remember, you are not stuck with any curriculum choice- if it’s not working for you- move on!
Do you have a favorite Science Curriculum or Homeschool Publisher? Share it below in the comments
Angela is the Homeschool Encourager for the Overwhelmed & Under-Caffeinated and the Chaos-to-Confidence Specialist behind Schooling with Grace. With a no-fluff approach, a dash of humor, and a whole lot of heart, she helps homeschool moms cut through the chaos, ditch unrealistic expectations, and teach with confidence.