Apologia Exploring Creation Science
A Christian, creation-based homeschool science series from kindergarten through high school: eight topic books for elementary, General Science and Physical Science for junior high, and lab courses in biology, chemistry and physics, written directly to the student.
What is Apologia science?
Apologia Educational Ministries publishes the Exploring Creation series, one of the most widely used Christian homeschool science programs. It runs from kindergarten through high school: eight elementary topic books, two junior high courses, and lab-based high school biology, chemistry and physics, plus advanced electives.
The books are written in a warm, conversational voice addressed straight to the student. They teach science from a creation-based Christian worldview throughout.
How it works
Elementary (K–6). You pick one topic book, such as Botany or Astronomy, and work through its 14 lessons. Each lesson takes a few weeks, with reading, narration, experiments and review questions. The parent reads aloud with younger kids, and optional notebooking journals, including junior journals for grades 1–2, hold drawings and writing.
Junior high and high school (7–12). Students read the textbook on their own, answer the On Your Own questions, do the experiments and finish each module with a study guide and test. High school texts have 16 modules, each taking about two weeks. Parents check work and help with labs.
What it covers
| Stage | Courses | Typical grade |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Astronomy, Botany, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry & Physics, Earth Science, Zoology 1–3 | K–6, any order |
| Junior high | General Science, Physical Science | 7, 8 |
| High school | Biology, Chemistry, Physics | 9–11 |
| Advanced | Human Body, Advanced Chemistry, Advanced Physics, Marine Biology | 11–12 |
There are eight elementary books for seven grades, so most families choose favorite topics rather than finish them all.
Who it's best for
Apologia is a strong fit for Christian families who want a full creation-based science path, teens who study well on their own, and college-bound students who need lab credits. It also suits a Charlotte Mason style in the early years.
If you want a secular program, browse secular homeschool curriculum or the full list of homeschool science options.
Pricing at a glance
Apologia is a one-time purchase per course. As of 2026 retail listings, elementary textbooks run about $41–$55 and high school textbooks about $70–$95. Notebooks, tests, audiobooks, activity videos and lab kits are extra, and online classes cost more.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Homeschool curriculum is commonly an allowable ESA expense in states such as Arizona and Florida, but each program sets its own rules, including on faith-based materials. Read how scholarships and ESAs for homeschool families work, save Apologia to your wishlist, and apply once on Edulist to the programs that fit your family.
How it compares
Berean Builders is written by Dr. Jay Wile, the original author of many Apologia high school texts, and ties science to history. Science Shepherd adds video lessons for more independent learners. Noeo Science uses living books and kits for grades 1–8. For a secular, lab-heavy alternative, see Real Science Odyssey.
See the best homeschool science curriculum and middle school science for more choices.
Who Apologia Exploring Creation Science is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Christian families who want a creation-based science sequence from K to 12
- Teens who can study independently with a conversational textbook
- College-bound students who need lab science credits
- Families using a Charlotte Mason style with narration and nature study
Look elsewhere if
- Families who want a secular or mainstream evolution-based curriculum
- Parents of young kids who can't read aloud often; elementary books read above primary level
- Students who need atomic physics, relativity or other advanced physics topics in a first course
Apologia Exploring Creation Science pros and cons
Pros
- Covers each topic in depth instead of skimming
- Conversational writing addressed directly to the student
- College-prep high school labs with mostly household supplies
- Clear sequence from elementary through advanced high school
- Plenty of support options: audiobooks, notebooks, video and live classes
Cons
- Elementary books require heavy parent read-aloud and discussion
- Costs add up across textbook, notebook, tests, lab kit and video
- Physics is hard to do independently and skips modern physics topics
- Openly creationist, which won't suit every family
What’s included
- Eight elementary Exploring Creation books, each usable across grades K–6
- Junior high General Science and Physical Science courses
- High school Biology, Chemistry and Physics plus advanced courses
- Optional notebooking journals, audiobooks and activity videos
- Self-paced online, live online and video-on-demand class options
Apologia Exploring Creation Science levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary Exploring Creation series | K–6 | Eight topic books: Astronomy, Botany, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry & Physics, Earth Science, and Zoology 1, 2 and 3. Each has 14 lessons and works for any grade K–6. |
| General Science | Grade 7 | Junior high introduction to scientific thinking and the main branches of science. |
| Physical Science | Grade 8 | Junior high course with one to four experiments per module, preparing for high school labs. |
| Biology | 9–10 | High school lab course, typically the first high school science, with microscope work and dissections. |
| Chemistry | 10–11 | High school lab course that requires Algebra 1. Test solutions show the math. |
| Physics | 11–12 | High school course that requires algebra, geometry and beginning trigonometry. |
| Advanced courses | 11–12 | Advanced Biology: The Human Body, Advanced Chemistry, Advanced Physics and Marine Biology, taken after the matching first-year course. |
How much does Apologia Exploring Creation Science cost?
Apologia sells each course as separate pieces or bundled sets: a textbook, an optional notebooking journal or student notebook, a tests and solutions book, and optional audiobooks and video. As compiled by Cathy Duffy Reviews in 2024–2026, elementary textbooks cost about $41–$55 at major retailers, elementary notebooking journals about $29–$39, high school textbooks about $70–$95 and student notebooks about $38–$51. Prices vary by seller, so compare Apologia's own store with homeschool retailers.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Homeschool reviewers consistently praise Apologia's depth, readable tone and college-prep labs, and it is one of Cathy Duffy's 103 Top Picks at both levels. Common criticisms are the heavy parent involvement in elementary, lots of writing in the older journals, and a physics course that is tough to self-teach.
Common praise
- In-depth, engaging elementary topics
- Readable high school texts students can use alone
- Precise labs with minimal equipment
Common complaints
- Elementary reading level is high for young kids
- Journals can involve a lot of writing
- Physics is difficult to do independently
Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com · apologia s exploring creation series elementary grades · cathyduffyreviews.com · exploring creation science series apologia science for junio
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Apologia Exploring Creation Science FAQs
What grade is each Apologia science course for?
The elementary Exploring Creation books work for any grade K–6. General Science is usually taken in 7th grade and Physical Science in 8th, followed by Biology, Chemistry (after Algebra 1) and Physics (after geometry and some trigonometry).
Is Apologia science young earth?
Apologia is openly Christian and creationist throughout, and it presents creation as the framework for science. Reviewers note the elementary books mostly teach the creationist view rather than arguing against evolution. Families who want a specific stance on the age of the earth should read sample chapters first.
Can my teen do Apologia on their own?
Yes, for most high school courses. The texts are written directly to the student with self-check questions and study guides. Physics is the hardest to do alone, and parents still oversee labs and grading.
Do I need the Apologia notebooking journal?
No, journals are optional. They help organize narration, vocabulary and activities, and junior versions suit grades 1–2. Some families find the older journals heavy on writing and use lapbooks instead.
Does Apologia offer online classes?
Yes. Apologia offers self-paced online courses for several subjects, live online classes, and video-on-demand recordings with 12-month access. With video-on-demand, parents still handle labs and grading.
What lab equipment does Apologia need?
Most experiments use household supplies. High school biology and chemistry need some special items such as a microscope, slides, test tubes and a scale, and Apologia sells lab kits for its courses.
Can I use ESA funds for Apologia?
Often, since homeschool curriculum is commonly allowed. Each program sets its own rules, including on faith-based materials, so check your state's expense list before buying.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: