Best Homeschool High School Biology Curriculum

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There are several excellent biology curriculum options for homeschooled high school students. As you choose the one that is right for your student, you will want to consider your child’s learning style as well as your own homeschooling philosophy. Different programs require various levels of lab work, while some don’t have any lab requirement at all. The available programs also vary in the ways they treat the topic of evolution. Our top picks are listed below. To learn more about each one, read on.

Our picks for the best homeschool high school biology curriculum:

Best All-Around

Principles, Theories, and Precepts of Biology, Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum

If you are looking for a thorough and interesting homeschool biology curriculum for your high school student, we recommend the Principles, Theories, and Precepts of Biology program by Paradigm Accelerated Learning (PAC). The program is solid and promotes critical thinking by using the scientific method to challenge popular theories. It is designed in a way that allows for a good deal of independent learning, making dependence on the parent minimal. It is also flexible in many ways, making it a great choice for many types of homeschoolers.

The program teaches all the topics necessary for a comprehensive high-school level study of biology, from cell structure and photosynthesis to biological classification and principles of heredity. Evolution is included but is treated as a theory: both its faults and merits are discussed, challenging students to think about the topic independently and decide for themselves whether the theory holds weight. Other subject matter is also treated with an approach that challenges students to think critically as they explore the evidence.  

The course materials include six softcover texts and six student activity books. Optional videos compliment the course, and depending on what additional lab options are chosen, the program can fulfill one high school biology transcript credit in most states. For the most convenience, you can purchase all the materials for the course in a single kit.

Best Classical Approach

Biology for High School, Elemental Science

If you are looking for a solid classical-style biology curriculum for your high school student, we highly recommend the biology course offered by Elemental Science. This course is part of Elemental Science’s Classic Series, which generally follows the classical education philosophy outlined in The Well-Trained Mind by emphasizing narration, hands-on experimentation, and supplemental reading from relevant texts. 

Biology for High School is a self-guided program that offers three schedule options: a survey course without labs, a lab science course, and an honors course, each of which count for one high school biology credit. Textbook assignments come from CK12 Biology, a free online resource, and experiments can be carried out with an experiment kit or virtually through Beyond Labz.   

While many homeschool biology curriculums are definitely Christian or staunchly secular in their approach, the Elemental Science series is flexible when it comes to religion – controversial theories such as evolution and the Big Bang are included as optional units. 

The program is quite comprehensive. Units covered include: Cell Structure, Function, and Reproduction; Genetics and Evolution; Ecology, Eukaryotes, and Plant Life; and Animals and the Human Body. The Biology for High School guide can be purchased here. Information on where to get the lab materials and how to watch the virtual labs is included in the guide.  

Best Christian Program

Exploring Creation with Biology, Apologia Educational Ministries

If you are looking for an excellent, college-prep homeschool biology course that firmly embodies a Christian worldview, we recommend the Exploring Creation with Biology program by Apologia. The program is thorough and straightforward, covering everything from bacteria, viruses, and fungi to plants, animals, and ecology. Evolution is considered through a Biblical perspective.

The required course materials include the textbook, a Solutions and Tests Manual, and the Test Booklet. These can be purchased separately or as a set. This program requires household, microscopic, and dissection labs, the materials for which can be purchased separately. An optional audio CD of the textbook and helpful instructional video are also available. The instructional video includes engaging animations and presents concepts in a three-dimensional way that will prove especially valuable if your student is a visual learner or struggles to comprehend material through textbook reading alone. 

This program promotes a strong understanding of the scientific method and aims to prepare students for life beyond the classroom. It will also give students a solid foundation for further biology studies in either high school or at the college level. If your student has already taken an introductory biology course and is looking for something more advanced, or if he or she is preparing to take the AP or CLEP tests, you should consider Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Advanced Biology.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing a high school biology curriculum for your homeschooled student, you’ll want to consider various factors – your student’s learning style and your own homeschool philosophy, as well as the program’s lab requirements and treatment of controversial topics such as evolution. There are many excellent options to choose from, and we’ve listed three of the best here. If you have questions or want more information about this topic, please email us!