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Best homeschool science curriculum for high school

High school science needs real content and real labs. These are the textbook-and-lab programs families choose most for biology, chemistry and physics.

Updated September 2026 · 29 programs compared · rankings from our published scoring rules

Every child is different. Add your child's grade, your creation/faith preference and your teaching time for a personal ranking.

Try it with high school selected

What matters for high school

Plan the sequence. Biology, then chemistry, then physics is common, and chemistry and physics lean on algebra.

Labs matter for transcripts. Many colleges look for lab sciences, so keep a lab notebook and records.

Video or live help is worth it for hard courses. Many families use video courses or online classes for chemistry and physics.

Our top 6 for high school

  1. Apologia Exploring Creation Science

    Conversational Christian textbooks with notebooking and experiments, K–12

    • Covers your grade (K–12th)
    • Conversational textbooks with experiments and notebooking
    • Watch for: text-heavy lessons can overwhelm reluctant readers
    Grades K–12thSingle-topic textbooks with notebooking journals and experimentsCost: $84.60: Elementary course set (textbook + notebooking journal), e.g. Zoology 1, sale price

  2. Berean Builders Science

    Hands-on Christian science taught through the history of discovery, by Dr. Jay Wile

    • Covers your grade (K–12th)
    • Textbook lessons that open with a hands-on activity
    • Watch for: supplies must be gathered ahead for many lessons
    Grades K–12thHistory-of-science textbook where every lesson starts with an experimentCost: $49: Science in the Beginning set (textbook + Helps & Hints), K–6 multilevel

  3. BJU Press Science

    Full-color Christian textbooks with activity manuals and optional video teachers

    • Covers your grade (K–12th)
    • Classroom-style textbooks with activity manuals
    • Watch for: needs to be taught unless you buy video
    Grades K–12thTraditional textbook with activity manual, labs and optional video lessonsCost: $179.75: Science 4 Homeschool Kit, 5th ed. (texts, activity book, tests, keys); video and lab kit extra

  4. R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey

    Secular, lab-centered science with short readings and lab sheets, K–10

    • Covers your grade (K–10th)
    • Lab-centered lessons with short readings
    • Watch for: parent must plan and supervise most lessons
    Grades K–10thHands-on labs with short readings, lab sheets and notebookingCost: $87.99: Biology 1 print course (grades 2–5, 36 weeks); household supplies extra

  5. Abeka Science

    Colorful Christian science textbooks by grade, from a traditional school publisher

    • Covers your grade (1st–12th)
    • One graded textbook per year
    • Watch for: strong young-earth, anti-evolution content
    Grades 1st–12thGraded textbook with activity book, quizzes and testsCost: $94.39: Grade 4 Science/Health homeschool child kit (textbook, STEM activity book, quizzes/tests); parent keys and lesson plans extra

  6. Mr. Q's Classic Science (E=McQ)

    Humorous, non-religious science ebooks; the elementary Life Science book is free

    • Covers your grade (1st–12th)
    • Short readings, worksheets, labs and tests
    • Watch for: very fast pace; wide age ranges
    Grades 1st–12thShort, funny textbook readings with worksheets and simple labsCost: Unknown

Questions parents ask

How many science credits does a homeschooler need?

Many college-bound students take three or four, usually including biology and chemistry with labs. Check the requirements of colleges your teen is considering.

What counts as a lab science?

A course with regular hands-on experiments and written lab reports. Keep records of the labs completed.

Can a homeschooler teach high school chemistry at home?

Yes. Many families use a video course or a kit-based program, and some take an online class instead.

How this list is made: each program is scored against the needs above using features documented in parent reviews and publisher materials (sources are listed in each program's profile). It's a starting point, not medical or educational advice.