The best homeschool science curriculum for elementary, middle school and high school home educated students and my top picks to use in your homeschool classroom. The needs of homeschool parents and students vary widely and there simply is not a single “best” science curriculum for everyone or every family since everyone is so different. 

Since selecting the best homeschool science curriculum is a difficult task, I am highlighting our favorite science curriculum and my most used and loved science curriculum that may help you with your research for your family and homeschool journey.

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Here are my  Top

Elementary Homeschool Science Curriculum

Comparisons:

Best Elementary Homeschool Science Curriculum

At the Elementary Levels (or the Grammar Stage) the student should be gathering basic information about the subject of Science. This subject: science--->means exploring the world around them. A student should learn about animal anatomy and behavior, the functions of the human body, the movements of the planets and the position of the stars, and the manner in which atoms interact. In Elementary Grades, Students are learning to develop a scientific viewpoint. 

When I first began this homeschool journey with my daughters, I simply read reviews online to (hopefully) find the best science curriculum that we would like. I admit that we hopped around for a couple of years until we settled on our favorite. Some parents may not be comfortable teaching science and science maybe your kids’ least favorite subject. 

I used LifePac prior to full-time homeschooling and I did not particularly care for their curriculum. I know it is a personal taste issue. LivePac does have a Science curriculum, but I just don’t care for their curriculum. The same could be said for the Christian Light Science curriculum. I did try it for middle school and we didn’t last more than a month with their curriculum. Christian Light was just not a good fit for my kids.

Apologia Science / Berean Builders curriculum is the Best All-Around Curriculum, Most Affordable, best for new homeschool moms, and the best for homeschool hands-on learning with great labs. 

Apologia's Young Explorer Series is great for Elementary Homeschooled Science students. We have used Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology, Exploring Creation With Astronomy, Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day, Exploring Creation With Botany, and Exploring Creation With Chemistry and Physics.  These are the perfect science curriculum for grades 3-6 and my personal favorites at these grade levels. 

Bearean Builders / Apologia curriculum is Christian based and very affordable. The text is very readable and enjoyable and the actual Science is taught chronologically through history. However, this curriculum is not common core to the state level if you are looking for this. This curriculum can be used with different ages of children and is quite adaptable for families with great hands-on experiments that are super simple to do right in your own homes.

I suggest beginning with a Science from Apologia that you would really enjoy teaching and one that your children are really interested in learning and then work your way through the Apologia's Young Explorer Series. I love that the Apologia's Young Explorer Series even has Junior Notebooking Journals for your young learners.

BJY Press (Bob Jones) is Christian based Science Homeschool curriculum that is quite traditional and aligns with most common core standards. BJU Press Elementary level Science provides foundational understaing of Science per level engages students in hands-on labs and activities using Learning Models and Bible teachings. The curriculum includes stories of great scientists and their discoveries to aide students to learn the practical ways science can be applied. There is a curriculum set for each grade level from Grade 1 through Grade 6.

The RSO Level One Courses are great for grade 1-4 and we used the Life, Earth & Space and Chemistry. I taught my daughters the Life and Earth & Space and my son the Chemistry in addition to the first two. My son is a science genius and literally gobbled up anything Science related that I taught him. I did purchase the student pages with the RSO and all my kids had fun creating lap books with these pages. My daughters are very crafty and tactical, so I simply let them use their own creativity whilst completing the worksheets. THEY LOVED RSO LIFE!! I had my children create large lapbooks to save all the worksheets.

Real Science Odyssey Life (level one) is divided into three sections: the human body, the animal kingdom, and the plant kingdom. Students study the major body systems by making models and doing tests on their own bodies. Classification and the five kingdoms of living things are studied as students make an animal kingdom book. Animal kingdom labs include examining real worms, mollusks, arthropods, and butterfly metamorphosis. Students learn about the plant kingdom by looking at the makeup and function of seeds, flowers, leaves, stems, and roots.

In RSO Earth & Space (level one), the topics include weather, seasons, the earth, minerals, rocks, our solar system, and space. Students study the weather and atmosphere with several hands-on labs including making an anemometer, a rain gage, and water cycle in a bowl. Rocks and minerals are studied in depth with students identifying their samples through the same tests used by geologists. Each planet in our solar system is studied individually as students make their own planet book. Earth & Space has recently been revised to include changes to the status of Pluto and the definition of a planet.

In RSO Chemistry (level one), the topics covered are usually those reserved for high school chemistry but are presented in a way that youngsters can easily grasp. Topics covered include atoms, molecules, the periodic table, states of matter, acids and bases, and chemical reactions. Students start small, pondering the size and magnitude of atoms and molecules. Then students make their own periodic table and study 18 of the most common elements. They experiment with states of matter and make their own pH scale. Students end big with chemical reactions and exciting combustion labs.

We also used the Christian Kids Explore by Bright Ideas Press Earth & Space and Chemistry, but we definitely preferred RSO over this book and these were used as supplemental only.  

We liked the RSO the best at the earliest elementary grade levels and moved onto the Apologia curriculum at grade 3-6. By grade 3, we were ready for a change in science and Apologia was our answer. I have three children in three different grades, and Apologia has jr notebook journals that work well when the kids were in 4th, 2nd and K and 5th, 3rd and 1st. I was doing two science curricula simultaneous through all elementary for my kids, but only because we love science and my kids are fast learners. 

Our first Science home school curriculum, for Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade, we used R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey and Christian Kids Explore by Bright Ideas Press. I know it may seem strange to use two science curriculum in the same years simultaneously, but my kids love science. Like, LOVE science. Our main curriculum was the RSO and the supplemental was the CKE.

The Christian Kids Explore Earth & Science I used in tandem as a supplemental curriculum with the R.E.A.L. Earth & Space. I used the Christain Kids Explore Chemistry with the R.E.A.L Chemistry. I did not personally think the CKE curriculum was a full subject curriculum as it was very sparse and basic, but was great as supplemental.

Best Middle School Homeschool Science Curriculum

At the Middle School Level (or the Logic Level) students will begin to middle-grade students take all the information they gathered in Elementary Grades and will begin to grasp the scientific concepts that link all those learned (and hopefully memorized) facts together.

Middle School Students will begin to see patterns ---> or rather: connect the dots. In middle school, Science classes are all about learning scientific principles, descriptions, and classifications. 

Top Middle School

Homeschool Science Curriculum

Comparison

Bearean Builders / Apologia is our favorite. By the time my kids entered middle school or junior high, we were pretty set with using Apologia. We have used Apologia Science curriculum for quite some time now and it fits with my family well for this age group. The day to day work is manageable, easy to navigate through and the labs are doable in a home setting with science experiments easy to incorporate into your daily schedules AND you can perform and demonstrate the science experiments right in your kitchen with great success. Apologia is interesting, engaging, thought-provoking and it is not expensive. Be sure to also purchase the journal with the textbooks. 

In 7th grade, we used Apologia General Science. I ordered the General Science textbook for my daughter as well as the notebook journal. I also ordered the solutions manual and test booklet. This science course explains the scientific method, designing experiments, simple machines, archaeology, geology, paleontology, biology, and human anatomy and physiology. Its scope is very wide because it is introducing all the sciences to the students. The experiments are hands-on and easy to navigate with household items. 

In grade 8, we used Apologia Physical Science. I ordered the Physical Science textbook for my daughter as well as the notebook journal AND I also purchased the solutions manual and test booklet.  Make sure your student has taken the correct math prerequisite for this science level. This text discusses such topics as the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, weather, the structure of the earth, environmentalism, the physics of motion, Newton’s Laws, gravity, and astrophysics. Loads of opportunity for hands-on experiments at home again and we tied in research paper topics from this course to write papers for literature as well. 

Another option for Middle School Science is BJU Life Science. The Life Science textbook is taught in tandem with the BJU Life Science Lab Manual, which has a BJU Life Science teacher’s edition lab manual too. Be sure to order the BJU Life Science Teachers editions as they have great teacher’s manuals (there are two books, A &B). There are BJU Tests booklets and Test Booklet Answer key available as well. If you are nervous about teaching Biology, don’t be! BJU’s teacher’s manual is really amazing!

Another option for Middle School Science is BJU Physical Science. The Life Science textbook is taught in tandem with the BJU Physical Science Lab Manual, which has a BJU Physical Science teacher’s edition lab manual too. Be sure to order the BJU Physical Science Teachers editions as they have great teacher’s manuals (there are two books, A &B). There are BJU Tests booklets and Test Booklet Answer key available as well. If you are nervous about teaching Biology, don’t be! BJU’s teacher’s manual is really amazing!

Master Books has some great Middle School Science curriculum as well that is Christian based. General Science teaches four fascinating branches of science through the engaging General Science 1: Survey of Earth and Sky. This Science course explores oceans, astronomy, weather, and minerals through fascinating facts, wonders, creatures, and God’s word. It is easy to manage lessons and schedules.

Master Books has a great Applied Engineering Homeschool curriculum for any students who are interested in Engineering. In Applied Engineering, students explore God’s design in nature and examine man-made designs for batteries, human organ repair, microlenses, automotive engineering, paint, and even credit card security!

Best High School Homeschool Science Curriculum

At the High School Level (or the Rhetoric Level), students are not simply just learning and memorizing any longer. They are actually applying all that Science to life. 

Top High School

Homeschool Science Curriculum

Comparison

Berean Builders / Apologia is in the running since we have used this curriculum for so many years. There are different options for Biology, but naturally, we selected to stick with Apologia again.

Apologia Exploring Creation with Biology was fun with some really great science experiments. We utilized the Biology textbook with the Biology Student Notebooking Journal. In addition, we did use the video instruction DVD for Biology at home that had excellent experiments and explanations. I also had the tests and solutions manual to keep me on track. In addition, I did purchase the Biology Prepared Slides as they are used in this course throughout the year. But the slides are MUCH cheaper on Amazon than on Apologia. I ordered this set from Amazon as well. We already had an amazing microscope I had purchased years ago that has worked well for us. In addition, I ordered frogs to dissect at home and these kits were awesome!

Either of these textbooks grasps what I want my kids to learn, whilst having great labs. I would suggest if you have the ability, to take this course with a group of homeschool friends and rotate the labs, or take this class through a co-op or consortium. I know some moms in my area who have hired a graduate student to come and teach once a week and that is another choice. 

For 10th grade, I suggest Discovering Design with Chemistry by Dr. Jay Wile, another fantastic Apologia textbook. This Chemistry textbook has a content-rich website with video explanations to help students who don't understand the explanations in the text. There is also the option to purchase the video thumb drive that has videos of cool experiments the student can't do at home and links to other information related to what is being discussed in the text. The Chemistry Textbook is used in tandem with the Notebooking Journal. My daughter LOVES this class and has excelled in Science so much using this textbook.

By grade 11, your home educated student be able to decide what curriculum they like the best, but I can suggest Exploring Creation with Physics, Apologia again. There are advanced versions of these textbooks if your students want the Advanced level Physics course. This course is taught with the Physics textbook and there is not a notebooking journal with this course. There is the test booklet and the answer manual as well to help guide the parents when teaching Physics.

Another option that is equally as wonderful is BJU Biology in 9th grade. The Biology textbook is taught in tandem with the BJU Biology Lab Manual, which has a BJU Biology teacher’s edition lab manual too. Be sure to order the BJU Biology Teachers editions as they have great teacher’s manuals (there are two books, A &B). There are BJU Tests booklets and Test Booklet Answer key available as well. If you are nervous about teaching Biology, don’t be! BJU’s teacher’s manual is really amazing!

Even though BJU recommends Biology for 10th grade, we are a year ahead of their plan and take Biology in 9th grade in order to have four years of solid Science in High School. Taking four solid years of Science courses in High School better prepares a student for college and looks fantastic on college applications.

BJU Press also has a great Chemistry curriculum for high school. Although they recommend this course for grade 11, my children have all taken this course during grade 10. This is a Christian curriculum as well. Chemistry is designed as a high-school level survey course and touches on all the major areas involving chemistry. Your child will gain an understanding of atomic structure, chemical composition, chemical reactions, and more.

To complete a high school curriculum of three full years of Science, a student would need Physics and BJU Press offers theirs. Physics teaches classical mechanics, work and energy, periodic motion and wave theory, electricity and magnetism, optics, relativity, quantum physics, and nuclear physics. These topics are presented in conjunction with real-world modeling exercises that reinforce a Christian worldview by demonstrating the relevance and validity of approaching science from a biblical perspective. The course is mathematically rigorous and algebra-based and should be one of the last high school science classes taken.

Master Books has a High School Biology curriculum with lab curriculum. The lab experiments are included with images of prepared microscopic slides. This 36-week study of Biology begins with an overview of chemistry while opening a deeper understanding of the living things that God created. The course moves through the nature of cells, ecosystems, biomes, the genetic code, plant and animal taxonomies, and more

Master Books has a Christian High School Chemistry curriculum that is a High school science course with lab curriculum. This course is quite affordable and the textbook is highly readable, with avisually appealing layout. The Teacher’s Guide is also included in the price, which is always nice and it includes all coursework, as well as a schedule and supply lists for the labs with step-by-step lab instructions and photos for each step.

If you have a student who already knows they would like to study Medicine, there is a great course option from Master Books. Advanced Pre-Med Studies explores biology, microbiology, anatomy, and physiology in this one course. This course includes a Teacher’s Manual that has a very detailed easy-to-manage lesson schedule. This course is worth 1 credit hour of Science. This curriculum is all-inclusive and includes tests, quizzes and answer guides.

My son attends a Science and Engineering Academy for high school and he took an Honors Advanced Biology class in 9th grade and Honors Advanced Physics class in grade 10. In Grade 11 he will take Advanced Honors Chemistry and in grade 12 he will take AP Physics. Even though he is not required by state law to take 4 years of science, and most colleges do not require 4 years of high school science; he will be taking 4 years of Advance Honors science classes because it is highly recommended, especially if your student will apply for merit scholarships. 

A homeschool science curriculum that works well in elementary school may not meet your needs as your children move on to middle school or even high school. I recommend sticking with a science curriculum that works for your family throughout the elementary grades and then evaluates if the middle school level curriculum will also meet your needs. I also suggest doing the same when your child moves on to high school.