12+ of the Best Secular Homeschool Science Curriculum & Classes

Finding a secular homeschool science curriculum can be a challenging experience, especially when you rule out neutral ones. Check out these 10+ secular homeschool science ideas.

My science education was less than spectacular. While I had a few lousy science teachers, the majority of them were fantastic. But textbook science learning wasn’t ideal. As an adult, I was pretty neutral on science — I didn’t seek it out nor avoid it. And then I had two boys who loved it — and I had to figure out a way to learn to love it.

Most of us have our go-to curriculum recommendations. And in most homeschool groups, the same publishers are repeated when people ask for curriculum suggestions — regardless of whether they fit the criteria. And if you want a secular program, good luck getting suggestions in most homeschool groups.

But what we love, you may not. And ditto in the reverse. So this list includes programs we’ve loved, ones I wish had been around when my kiddos were little, and ones that we wouldn’t love but may be the most perfect of perfect curricula for you.

“_______ is the best curriculum” is a phrase you won’t ever hear me say. But I do think these are some of the best secular homeschool curriculum available today.

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Secular vs. Neutral Science

The difference between secular and neutral science may seem subtle & not important. Who cares if a curriculum is solid but doesn’t touch on the topic of evolution? Or the age of the earth and if the Big Bang really set it into existence? If they are presenting facts but omitting controversial facts, isn’t that good enough?

Neutral homeschool science programs do just that.

I won’t belabor the points (you can read more here) or assign intention as to why some homeschool curriculum companies choose this approach. But they do & they can be rather “sneaky” in the way they do it. If you want your science curriculum to be truly secular curriculum, be aware.

If you aren’t sure if your secular science curriculum is truly secular (after going through this list, of course!), these ten questions are really helpful ones to evaluate your science.

One last note. Secular science doesn’t mean anti-God (or anti-whatever-your-religion). For example, not all modern or historical Christians believe in a Young Earth or a literal 7-day Creation. In fact, it’s a pretty modern belief in mainstream American Christianity.

We are secular homeschoolers who regularly bring our faith into what we’re learning. I want to teach what *our faith* tells us, not what someone else’s faith tells them. BioLogos is one of our favorite resources for doing this in science.

(Examples of natural science curricula include Elemental Science & Mr. Q’s. We used both of them in elementary school, and they are quite good — but they aren’t secular.)

How do I choose curriculum??

Choosing homeschool curriculum for a new school year can be a ridiculous experience. Print or online? All-in-one or piece it together? What “method” am I? And that’s all before you get to each specific subject!

While I can’t tell you which science curriculum is the best for your homeschool, I can give you some questions to consider as you explore.

1. Do you want hands-on activities? Outside activities?
2. Is this subject going to be parent-led, or will your kiddos work independently?
3. Do you want to learn science together as a family?
4. Does a textbook or pile of books make you giddy?
5. A year of unit studies or a full-year curriculum, which one appeals to you?
6. Will I actually print off everything that needs to be printed? Or do I need to order physical books?

Secular science curriculum

R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey

(K-10)

Format: Print & Downloadable Books

Real Science Odyssey is one of the most popular secular science curricula — and for good reason. The program is well organized. The (not dull) textbook is written to the student (with a parent’s guide). Each chapter includes activities, readings, and questions. There are additional links to videos & websites if you want even more.

Level 1 is for elementary students, and Level 2 is for grades 6-10.

We’ve now completed Biology Level 2 & Astronomy Level 2. Watch my reviews and flip-throughs here (biology) and here (astronomy). While they aren’t exactly like level 1, the layouts are fairly similar. And here’s a new (and rather thorough!) review of Real Science Odyssey.

What’s Unique:

The parent guide doesn’t assume you have prior science knowledge. Summaries of the chapter, as well as notes about the additional activities, are included.

Beast Academy

(AGES 8-10 with more to come)

Format: Printed Books

Continuing the appeal of the engaging & unique approach to math, Art of Problem Solving has now begun its science series. Beast Academy Science has two books per level for a complete 36-week science program.

And what’s so unique about Beast Academy? For one thing, they use little monster students to demonstrate the discovery & teaching of math. Second, Beast Academy helps students discover more complex concepts by using the simpler knowledge they’ve already learned.

Level 3 has three central units (weather, survival, motion), with chapters covering cause & effect, habitats, and the sun’s angle.

Just as they did with their math program, they released level 3 first. After they finish level 3, I anticipate they’ll work upward & then back to levels 1 and 2, just as they did with math.

Be A Naturalist

(ELEMENTARY)

Format: Downloadable PDF

Following the fictitious work of two naturalists, you’ll spend the year investigating nature through activities, conversations, and (outdoor AND indoor) adventures. As a non-nature-lover who didn’t do much nature study because I found it overwhelming to figure out what to do & how to do it, this program (and their Year of Discovery) would have made it manageable.

Be A Naturalist is a year-long program that is adaptable to multiple ages, so it’s perfect for a young family. The downside? There’s only one year of it. I think it’d be easy to spread over two years by adding in additional activities & repeating some of the included ones. Still, this is definitely one to look at if you love nature or want to love nature.

Blossom & Root

(K-8, wonder built around nature)

Format: Downloadable Parent Guide & Student Notebook

Blossom & Root is a literature-based, activity-oriented curriculum designed to capture the wonder & curiosity inherent in young kiddos.

While Blossom & Root offers a complete curriculum, you can also purchase their science and/or nature studies as a standalone curriculum. Each year, your homeschool will wonder about the world. World Beyond (astronomy & oceanography), the Prehistoric World, and the Wonders of the Earth & Sky are three of the year-long focuses.

What’s Unique:

Activity ideas are broken down based on whether you’re a ‘go outside’ family, a family that likes to learn around the table, loves to incorporate videos, or you’re an arts & crafts family. I love that Blossom & Root acknowledges that we all learn in different ways and have options for each. They also break down the reading for the minimalist family, the book lover families & the visual learners. And it’s all easy to mix and match to your current mood.

CPO Science

(Physical sciences, middle school)

Format: Student Textbook & Teacher Guide

CPO Science is a public school text, and it is fantastic. BUT! It’s going to take some work to adapt it for your homeschool. Some of the lab activities assume you have access to supplies that a public school may have. Some of them are easy to adapt; other activities need no adaptation. The teacher’s guide assumes you have a scientific background. The text writing is okay — not the dullest but not the most engaging, either. If you want to learn alongside your kiddo & don’t mind putting in the prep work, this program is worth considering.

Evan-Moor

(K-6)

Format: Print & Ebook Workbooks

Evan-Moor offers three workbook series — Daily Science, Skill Sharpeners, and Lessons & Investigations. While any single book isn’t a full curriculum, combine them or add other resources for an entire year. We often used the Daily Science series as an independent activity while Mom was working with another kiddo.

Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding

(k-8, areas)

Format: Teacher/parent guides, no student text

While Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding (or BFSU) was first published in 2007, it remains an infrequently mentioned secular homeschool science program. And that may be because, while well-organized, thorough, and rigorous, its presentation may be confusing at first glance. It also is entirely parent-led.

The three volumes (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) feature four ‘threads’ of science (The Nature of Matter, Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space) taught simultaneously to build a solid scientific foundation. With a strong emphasis on cultivating scientific reasoning, students learn through inquiry-based activities.

If you love doing science alongside your kiddos, this is one to check out. It’s one of the most affordable science options if you can put in the time to prepare & teach the lessons.

—> If you’re intrigued but want something that is more clearly laid out & includes a student text, check out Scientific Connections through Inquiry. BFSU highly inspires this company, but doesn’t use BFSU for its plans. At this time (early 2024), only levels 0 and 1 are available, so I’m not putting it in its own section.

Oak Meadow

(9-12, K-8 as full curriculum)

Format: Print & Digital Books

Oak Meadow is one of the oldest homeschool curriculum companies, dating back to the mid-1970s. That length of time has given them the opportunity to fine-tune their curriculum into one with a strong reputation. It is Waldorf-based, but don’t let that scare you off! I avoided looking at it for years because I was intimidated by the Waldorf-inspired label.

Each lesson includes a well-laid-out checklist for the student. With high school science, in particular, I love a good checklist because there are so many moving pieces between readings, labs/activities, questions, etc. For a student who is new to working entirely independently, it’s an additional fail-safe!

Prior to high school, my oldest kiddo almost never used a textbook. While she transitioned pretty easily to textbooks in college, I now think it’s important for high school students to have experience learning from textbooks if they haven’t done so already. Oak Meadow is perfect for that since the lesson plans are clearly laid out.

Thorough samples are available on their website.

What’s Unique:

Global Climate Change in the 21st Century, Forensic Science

Secular Science ONLINE Classes

Taylor Made Science

(all areas of science, high school, honors & AP)

Format: Online & recorded classes

Taylor Made Science are challenging online science courses (live & pre-recorded) for students who plan to major in STEM in college or just love science. Student work includes textbooks, labs, discussions & activities.

While the price may seem high, it’s in line with comparable honors & AP-level courses found elsewhere. Classes are kept small & you’ll get your lab supplies sent directly to you — no hunting down supplies all over the internet & your home. (If you’re like me, that’s a premium you’re willing to pay!)

What’s Unique:

Small Animal Science (Independent Study) & Environmental Science

Next Level Homeschool

(All areas, elementary – high school)

Cost: Varies by the class & class length
Format: Asynchronous Online Classes

With their asynchronous classes — weekly deadlines + no live classes — you get the benefits of an outsourced class but with a schedule that has some flexibility to fit into your homeschool. And one bonus: you don’t need to purchase any books or materials. The age levels are suggested-but-flexible which is perfect for those kiddos who need to work at a higher or lower level.

What’s Unique:

Oceanography, Marine Biology, Marine Zoology, Harry Potter Genetics

Blue Tent Academy

(ALL Areas, High School + AP and honors)

Format: Live Online Classes

Blue Tent Academy’s live science classes offer a rigorous program with lab activities. Their course descriptions are some of the most detailed I’ve seen from any online provider. Do you have a student who needs NCAA-approved classes? You’re in luck!

What’s Unique:

You can borrow textbooks — paying only the cost of shipping — that go along with your classes.

Science Mom

(4th-8th grades; physics, biology, chemistry, earth science)

Format: Self-Paced Videos + Projects

It’s not often you come across a curriculum that is designed *just* with those middle-grade kiddos in mind. Middle schoolers are a unique bunch, so it’s awesome that Science Mom has designed science just for them. Each course includes the videos, follow-along worksheets, labs & activities, quizzes, and more.

Before you commit to one of their semester-long programs, check out the Earth Science course for 4th-5th graders. It’s FREE, so it’s an excellent opportunity to see how she teaches and get a feel for the expectations.

The pricing is per family, a win if you have more than one kiddo in this age range.

Conceptual Science

(HIGH SCHOOL; All areas)

Format: Self-Paced

With Conceptual Science, you have the option to use a textbook or textbook + self-paced videos. Through readings, chapter questions, simulations, labs, and more, students develop a strong understanding of how ideas in science connect together.

I find their website to be confusing. You’ll want to watch the video on this page for a better explanation. You can download day-to-day plans for free here. Their customer service is also really helpful.

Alternatively, head over to SEA Homeschoolers and purchase from them!

Science Texts, Unit Studies & Resources

While not a complete, laid-out curriculum, these resources, texts & unit studies are great options for anyone looking for secular homeschool science products.

• 4-H Curriculum (you don’t need to be a member)
• The Learn + Live Letter (unit studies)
• A Year of Discovery
• Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology (lessons, resources & ideas by grade level, K-12)
• Magic Forest
• Be Naturally Curious
• Biochemistry Literacy for Kids

• Mystery Science
• Earth Party! (Classification of living things)
• IQ Weather
• JASON Learning
• The Story of Science (Books we read aloud beginning mid-elementary)
• Science Detective

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