3 curricula compared

Best Homeschool Science Curriculum— Honest Comparison

Every Science curriculum in this guide is reviewed honestly — real strengths, real weaknesses, and who each one actually fits. No affiliate rankings.

Costs as of June 2026 — always verify on the publisher's site.

At a glance

CurriculumPublisherPedagogyCostParent involvementLensAgesRating
Mystery ScienceMystery Scienceinquiry + video$99/yearlowSecularK-54.7
Lakeshore Learning Science KitsLakeshorehands-on kit$30-60 per kitmediumSecularPre-K to 64.5
Apologia ScienceApologiayoung-earth Christian + textbook$60-110/yearlowChristianK-124.4

In depth

Mystery Science

Mystery Science

4.7
Cost
$99/year
Pedagogy
inquiry + video
Parent involvement
Low — kid-independent
Religious lens
Secular
Age range
K-5
Time per day
30-45 min
Duration
~32 weeks, 60 lessons

Strengths

  • Open-and-go video lessons
  • Kid-engaging
  • Real experiments with household items

Weaknesses

  • Only K-5
  • Light scope vs Apologia

Best for

Busy parents who want science to happen

Worst for

Families wanting deep scope and sequence

Pricing as of June 2026 — verify on the publisher's site before purchasing.

Lakeshore Learning Science Kits

Lakeshore

4.5
Cost
$30-60 per kit
Pedagogy
hands-on kit
Parent involvement
Medium — parent guides
Religious lens
Secular
Age range
Pre-K to 6
Time per day
varies

Strengths

  • Pure hands-on
  • Kids LOVE the kits
  • No prep work for parent

Weaknesses

  • Not a full curriculum
  • Need to supplement

Best for

Hands-on learners, supplement to any science curriculum

Worst for

Families wanting one-and-done curriculum

Pricing as of June 2026 — verify on the publisher's site before purchasing.

Apologia Science

Apologia

4.4
Cost
$60-110/year
Pedagogy
young-earth Christian + textbook
Parent involvement
Low — kid-independent
Religious lens
Christian
Age range
K-12
Time per day
45-60 min
Duration
~36 weeks, 180 lessons

Strengths

  • Strong upper-school science
  • Christian worldview
  • Independent for older kids

Weaknesses

  • Young-earth perspective is non-secular
  • Lighter on labs in elementary

Best for

Christian families wanting biblical worldview

Worst for

Secular or science-rigorous families

Pricing as of June 2026 — verify on the publisher's site before purchasing.

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Curriculum data compiled from publisher websites and homeschool parent communities. Costs and availability verified June 2026 — verify current pricing on each publisher's site before purchasing. No affiliate relationships; no sponsored rankings. THSF house curricula (marked “Included”) are reviewed to the same honest standard as third-party options.

Best Homeschool Science Curriculum — Honest Comparison | Homeschool Factory