Apologia provides fun and challenging K-12 creation-based science curriculum specifically designed for the home school. Written by a former university professor and homeschool parent, the courses provide college-preparatory science in a way that is both clear and challenging. The texts are readable, easy to understand, and full of engaging experiments that can be performed at home. This is a science course designed for the student to self-teach. Publisher materials indicate that this curriculum is that is truly God honoring, user friendly, and scientifically sound. The elementary science course covers zoology, botany and astronomy. The high school course is designed for two different tracks, Not Science-Oriented, and Science-Oriented. Courses that require a Math Prerequisite are identified. They even provide a FREE help line to answer any questions or problems you may encounter and a money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied.
Before investing in any homeschooling resources, please read "How to Choose the Best Homeschool Curriculum."
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Cons: None
Grades Used: 6th
We used anatomy with our co-op & it has been wonderful! My husband & I are both in healthcare so we've had a lot of anatomy over the years & are both very impressed with this book. And that is saying a lot coming from my very unsupportive to homeschooling husband! My son was very excited I let him pick which course to cover for next year, he picked swimming creatures. We both can't wait for it!
Cons: none!
Grades Used: 9
After using the God's Design science curriculum with multiple ages together in our homeschool, I needed a high school level course for my 9th grader last year. We used the Apologia Biology course and it was terrific! It is definitely a college prep level course, but the student notebook is what made this course amazing. It encouraged independence from my student, and he rose to the challenge. The tests were difficult, but he clearly understood what had been taught. We have found our new favorite high school science curriculum!
Grades Used: 6th
We are using the General Science text and student notebook. While there is a great deal of reading- it is highly interesting and well presented! The labs are fun for my 6th grader, and the lab write-ups help to train middle school students for the lab report expectations in high school (and beyond). Will definitely continue to use this series!!
Cons: A LOT of reading. Can get boring or tedious.
Grades Used: Grade 8,9,10,11,12
While I think that the Apologia books are great, they can get tedious. My sons tolerated them and my daughters trudged through them.( It IS quite a lot to cover in one school year.) My youngest has BEGGED me to get something else, besides Apologia, for Biology.
Cons: biased, condescending tone
Grades Used: 5 - 8
This is our second year using this text with a co-op. The texts are extremely thorough which I like a lot for middle school but think could be a little much for the elementary ages.
Buyers should know up front this is not a wholly neutral science text. I dislike the author's tone when presenting topics he disagrees with (environment, old earth, evolution topics). He may present an opposing view but often writes about them in a condescending, insulting tone.
If we were using this without a co-op I think it would get dry as there is a lot of reading and answering study questions. I supplement a lot with hands-on activities both from the book and what I find on my own to teach the co-op class. However, I really do appreciate how thorough the texts are for older students.