Curriculum Resources > Choosing a Science Curriculum > Apologia Science Curriculum Review – Middle/High School 

Apologia Science Curriculum Review – Middle/High School

Apologia makes a sometimes-tough subject accessible with its conversational tone and straightforward explanations. Designed specifically for homeschool families, Apologia science is approachable, even for teachers and students with limited science backgrounds. This curriculum uses experiments, review questions, vocabulary memorization, and tests to build and evaluate student knowledge. The high school courses aim to fully prepare students for college science classes. The primary author, Dr. Jay Wile, designed the Apologia curriculum to provide homeschool students a solid science education. We recommend General Science and Physical Science in grades 7-8. For high school, we recommend the following titles: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Marine Biology, Advanced Biology, Advanced Chemistry, and Advanced Physics. This curriculum presents a Christian creationist worldview.

We have lab kits for all Apologia Science grades, too. Top sellers include the Apologia Chemistry Lab Kit and Apologia Human Body Dissection Lab Kit.

Apologia Science Curriculum Review – Grades 7-12
Curriculum Components Recommended Student Textbook, Solutions & Test Manual
Curriculum Cost (per Grade) $85
Hands-on Activities Cost (per Grade) $35-95 depending on course
Strengths
  • Conversational tone
  • In-depth information presented clearly
  • Frequent reviews and comprehension checks
  • Most titles written by esteemed science professor Dr. Jay Wile
Weaknesses
  • None
Learning Environment
Homeschool Suitability ★★★★★
Classroom Suitability ★★★
New Science Teacher Suitability ★★★★
Learning Evaluation Tools ★★★★★
Includes Student Tests Yes
Worldview Creationist
Student Appeal
Student Readability ★★★★★
Engaging Visual Content ★★★★
Independent Study Suitability ★★★★
Suitability for Students Not Interested in Science ★★★★
Reading Level Grade Appropriate
Science Content Quality
Scope and Sequence ★★★★★
Depth of Science Content ★★★★
Age-appropriate Science Content ★★★★★
Hands-on Science Learning
Comprehensive Hands-on Learning ★★★★
Activities Develop Science Skills ★★★★★
Activities Develop Critical Thinking ★★★★
Ease of Completing Experiments ★★★★★
Activity/Lab Prep Time 20 minutes

Star Rating:   5-Very Good,  4-Good,  3-Fair,  2-Poor,  1-Very Poor

Customer Reviews

Full of Great Science
We are not science people. I purchased this book because my daughter is middle school level, so my husband wanted her to have science. We love it! The experiments are fun for the whole family. My daughter gets to be the teacher. She love the way it reads. We also purchased the science kit. That was also a wonderful buy. (Review by Amanda)

Fantastic science curriculum
I am very impressed with this science curriculum. Science is now my daughter’s favorite subject. She loves the experiments, as well as the way that Dr. Wile explains the subject. We all appreciate that Dr. Wile writes from a creationist perspective. He’s great! We use the audio CD so we can read along, since she is an auditory learner. We have also found it is much easier to order the kit for each book so we have it handy. (Review by Carol)

I love Apologia’s Physical Science!
This text is simply brilliant. I thought on first glance at the book that it would be boring and wordy. Not in the least. I cannot explain it exactly, but this text simply makes science make *sense*. It is so clear, so simple, so easy to read, understand, and remember. My husband taught it as a co-op, and my son used it at home. It’s great in either setting – the ideal science curriculum!!! (Review by Anonymous)

Great Biology
My son has loved working through this book independently. He often will start reading before school time even starts, because it is so interesting. We have all enjoyed the experiments and slides that go with the book as well. (Review by Angel)

Apologia Biology
This is a challenging Biology written in a conversational tone. If you have a student that likes this subject, it will prepare them for college. One of my teens has really liked it and the other hated it. However, the one who hated it is more chemistry oriented and just does not like Biology period. The one who likes Biology finds it very interesting and challenging. (Review by Julie J.)

Apologia Chemistry
My son is just now starting to really dig into this subject and is excited about the experiments but a little frustrated with all the math that is involved with chemistry. Math not being his favorite subject but he does well in it. I, as his mother find this curriculum incredibly easy to understand, straight forward, and so practical. As I have told him several times that I wish my chemistry in high school and college had been this easy to understand and enjoy! (Review by Donna S.)

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