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Two homeschool science programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: creation and faith content, teaching style, and how much you'll teach.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.
Compare for my child| Sonlight Science | BookShark Science | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | K–12th | PreK–12th |
| Creation/faith | Christian content | No religious content; teaches evolution |
| Approach | Living books with a scheduled guide, weekly experiments and experiment videos | Real science books plus hands-on experiments, 4 days a week |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide | The parent teaches |
| Parent prep | Low (open and go guide; supplies kit available) | Low (open and go; supply kit included) |
| Screen time | A mix of screen and paper | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | Included: discover & Do experiment videos in levels K–H | Available: experiment demonstration videos come with or alongside the kits |
| Cost | $418.89: Science D 4-day package ($340.89) plus supplies kit ($78), grades 4–7 | $335.89: Science E Package (grades 3–5): books, instructor's guide, activity sheets, experiment book and supply kit; retail price, on sale for $302.30 when checked |
| Parents love |
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| Common complaints |
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Parents love the open-and-go instructor's guide, the high-quality books, and that experiments and supplies come organized week by week, which makes it easy to teach several ages together. The main complaints are the premium price, a reading-heavy style that suits book lovers more than reluctant readers, and a mix of origins perspectives that disappoints families wanting strictly young-earth content.
Parents repeatedly praise how little prep it takes: the books, schedule and nearly every experiment supply come in one box, and kids enjoy the hands-on work. Criticisms are fewer: it's pricier than book-only options, the box needs storage space, and co-op leaders found it hard to squeeze into short class times. Creationist families note it is secular and, since a 2021 update, follows standards that include evolution.
Neither is better for every child. Sonlight Science is the stronger fit for christian, open to an old earth; video lessons a big plus; rusty. BookShark Science is the stronger fit for no religious content; mostly offline.
Sonlight Science: christian content. BookShark Science: no religious content; teaches evolution.
Sonlight Science: $418.89: Science D 4-day package ($340.89) plus supplies kit ($78), grades 4–7. BookShark Science: $335.89: Science E Package (grades 3–5): books, instructor's guide, activity sheets, experiment book and supply kit; retail price, on sale for $302.30 when checked.
Summaries are in our own words.