Curated guide

Best Homeschool Science Curriculum

6 curricula in this guide

Homeschool science curricula range from inquiry-based programs with hands-on investigations to traditional textbook approaches and creation-based programs that integrate a Christian worldview. The right pick depends on your goals: college prep, casual exploration, or compliance with state requirements.

Below we feature standout options across worldview and approach. For families wanting NGSS-aligned secular science, Mystery Science and Generation Genius lead. For young-earth Christian science, Apologia has the strongest college-recognition track record. Pair any of these with hands-on lab kits for the strongest learning outcomes.

Editor's selection

Our picks

Mystery Science

Inquiry-based elementary science with engaging video lessons and hands-on investigations using household materials. NGSS-aligned, zero prep required.

PreK K–2 3–5

$199–$259/year

Apologia Science

Apologia Educational Ministries

Rigorous college-prep science curriculum written from a young-earth Christian perspective. Conversational writing style with notebook-based learning and strong lab components.

PreK K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12

$42–$93/grade

Generation Genius

NGSS-aligned K-8 science and Common Core math video lessons with kid hosts, paired with lesson plans, worksheets, and hands-on activity guides. Top secular science supplement.

K–2 3–5 6–8

$163–$325/year

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Acellus Academy

International Academy of Science

Fully accredited online K-12 school with WASC accreditation, AP courses, NCAA-approved cores, and military Tier I status. Same video content as Power Homeschool but with diploma, transcripts, and teacher support.

K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12

$2000–$4500/year

Classical Conversations

Classical Christian education combining weekly in-person community meetings with at-home study. Memory work, Socratic discussion, and the trivium model structure a unique hybrid program.

PreK K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12

$700–$2000/year

Compass Classroom

Streaming video classical Christian curriculum with engaging master teachers. Features Visual Latin (the flagship), history, writing, literature, science, and more.

3–5 6–8 9–12

$490–$890/year

IXL Learning

Adaptive skill-by-skill practice platform with over 17,000 standards-aligned skills across math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish. Strongest as practice and diagnostic, not initial instruction.

PreK K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12

$79–$159/year

Outschool

Marketplace of independent teachers offering 140,000+ live small-group video classes, 1:1 tutoring, and self-paced courses for ages 3-18. Supplemental enrichment, not a full curriculum.

PreK K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12

$480–$2880/year

Power Homeschool

International Academy of Science

Self-paced video curriculum sharing identical content with Acellus Academy but without enrollment, accreditation, or teacher support. Significant 2025 price increase from ~$31/mo to $99/mo.

PreK K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12

$948–$1188/year

Common questions

Frequently asked

How much science does a homeschooler actually need?

In elementary, less than most parents fear. Curiosity, reading, and hands-on exploration matter more than formal coursework, and many states do not name science as a required subject before middle school. High school is different: colleges typically expect three years, and at least two of those should include lab work.

Do we need to do labs at home?

For high school credit, yes, and it is more manageable than it sounds. Lab work can be kit-based, video-guided, or done through a co-op or community college. What matters for a transcript is that the student did hands-on work and that you kept a record of it. Keep lab reports and photos in the portfolio.

What is the difference between secular and faith-based science?

The divide is mostly origins and earth age. Faith-based programs may teach young-earth creation, old-earth creation, or intelligent design, and vary widely in how much biology and geology they adjust. Secular and neutral programs teach mainstream scientific consensus. Check the publisher's stated position directly rather than assuming from the brand.

Can one science program cover multiple ages?

Yes, and for elementary and middle school it is often the sane choice. Unit-study and literature-based science programs are built for mixed ages, with the same topic taught at different depths. Save individually leveled coursework for high school, where credits have to be attributable to one student.

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