Choosing the right biology course for your high school homeschooler can feel overwhelming. With so many options—textbook-based, online, secular, faith-based—it’s important to find one that fits your teen’s learning style and your teaching preferences. Below, we compare popular homeschool high school biology curricula by price, format, worldview, and best fit for students and parents.
Looking for the Best Homeschool High School Biology Course?
My eldest is about to start 8th grade, which means high school is on the horizon. I have been spending a ridiculous amount of time researching high school curriculum. I wanted to share some of my findings in case you are preparing for high school as well.
🧠 Choosing a Biology Curriculum for Teens with Learning Challenges
Homeschooling teens with learning differences—such as ADHD, dyslexia, processing disorders, or anxiety—comes with unique considerations. The right biology curriculum can make all the difference in keeping your teen engaged, confident, and on track. That is why I have been so stressed about finding a curriculum for him that will consider his needs, yet challenge him. Here are a few key tips and recommended programs:
🌟 What to Look for:
- Short, manageable lessons to avoid overwhelm
- Multi-sensory teaching (videos, visuals, hands-on labs)
- Flexible pacing to allow for breaks or review
- Low-pressure testing options or open-book assessments
- Built-in encouragement with positive, friendly tone
✅ Top Picks for Learning Challenges:
- Friendly Biology: Known for its gentle, approachable tone and engaging video lessons. Great for students who feel intimidated by science.
- Guest Hollow Biology: Exceptionally ADHD-friendly and visually rich. It uses comics, YouTube videos, and projects to keep learners engaged.
- Science Shepherd: Offers clear, concise video teaching that works well for students who benefit from repetition and visual structure.
- Time4Learning: Allows for fully self-paced learning with built-in review tools and automatic grading—ideal for students who need independence with support.
🛠 Bonus Tip:
If your teen has an IEP or specific learning goals, consider modifying any program to fit their needs. You can:
- Read aloud or use audiobooks
- Reduce writing requirements with oral narration or dictation software
- Use lab videos instead of hands-on experiments if needed
Homeschooling gives you the freedom to customize. With the right curriculum and tools, biology can become a subject your teen enjoys—even if it’s always been a challenge before.
The Top Homeschool High School Biology Courses:
🧪 1. Apologia Biology
- Price: Around $75–$130 (textbook set), $199+ for self-paced online
- Format: Textbook + optional video lessons, lab kit available separately
- Worldview: Christian
- Best for: Independent learners; families wanting a faith-based, academically rigorous science
- Learning Style Fit: Visual and reading/writing learners
- Extras: Notebooking journal, online support, optional live classes
Why I Like It: Apologia offers a solid, college-prep course with a biblical worldview. The included labs and in-depth explanations make it ideal for science-loving teens.
🧬 2. Berean Builders: Discovering Design with Biology
- Price: ~$49 (textbook), optional lab kit $100+
- Format: Textbook-based with built-in labs and experiments
- Worldview: Christian
- Best for: Students who enjoy hands-on learning and parents who want affordable Christian curriculum
- Learning Style Fit: Hands-on and reading/writing learners
Why I Like It: Written by Dr. Jay Wile, this course is both affordable and thorough. It works great for co-ops and independent study.
🔬 3. Science Shepherd Biology
- Price: ~$69 for student textbook, ~$79 for video course, lab manual and kit extra
- Format: Video-based instruction + textbook and lab manual
- Worldview: Christian
- Best for: Independent learners who need structured guidance and visual teaching
- Learning Style Fit: Visual and auditory learners
- Extras: Optional test booklets, lab videos, and full lab kits available
Why I Like It: Science Shepherd is a strong option for families who want video-based instruction with solid biblical integration. The lessons are concise and the labs are clearly demonstrated on video.
🧫 4. Real Science Odyssey – Biology 2 (Pandia Press)
- Price: ~$75 for PDF or print, lab supplies extra
- Format: Textbook + lab book with weekly experiments
- Worldview: Secular
- Best for: Secular homeschoolers or charter school families
- Learning Style Fit: Hands-on, project-based, and visual learners
Why I Like It: With a strong emphasis on labs and critical thinking, this course is ideal for curious learners who enjoy experimentation.
🔬 5. DIVE Science + Saxon Biology
- Price: $120 for DIVE Digital Video Labs, ~$75 for Saxon Biology book
- Format: Saxon textbook + interactive video lectures and virtual labs
- Worldview: Christian
- Best for: Students who need structure and strong test prep
- Learning Style Fit: Visual/audio learners, tech-friendly teens
Why I Like It: DIVE combines high-quality instruction with Saxon’s solid science foundation, great for students aiming for STEM fields.
🧠 6. CK-12 Biology (Free Option)
- Price: Free (digital), optional printed materials ~$20–$40
- Format: Online textbook with simulations, quizzes, and labs
- Worldview: Secular
- Best for: Budget-conscious families or supplementing other courses
- Learning Style Fit: Visual and self-paced learners
Why I Like It: Completely free and flexible, CK-12 is perfect for unschoolers or as a custom solution for high school biology credit.
🔍 7. MasterBooks Biology (Intro to Biology)
- Price: ~$50–$80 for student and teacher books
- Format: Textbook with worksheets and minimal labs
- Worldview: Christian (Young Earth)
- Best for: Students who want a lighter science load or need more biblical integration
- Learning Style Fit: Reading/writing learners, Charlotte Mason-friendly
Why I Like It: This gentle approach is perfect for teens who don’t plan to pursue science-heavy majors in college.
🌱 8. Guest Hollow’s High School Biology
- Price: ~$25 for curriculum guide (uses free/low-cost resources), lab kit optional
- Format: Literature-based, includes videos, comics, and projects
- Worldview: Christian or secular versions available
- Best for: Struggling learners, ADHD teens, and project-based families
- Learning Style Fit: Visual, kinesthetic, and eclectic learners
Why I Like It: Extremely engaging and customizable, Guest Hollow is a favorite among relaxed homeschoolers and neurodiverse learners.
🧪 9. BJU Press Biology (4th Edition)
- Price: ~$85 for student textbook, $60–$200 for teacher materials, optional video lessons ~$299+
- Format: Textbook-based with optional online video instruction and full lab support
- Worldview: Christian (Biblical integration throughout)
- Best for: Students aiming for academic rigor and college readiness with teacher support
- Learning Style Fit: Visual and reading/writing learners; structured learners
- Extras: Detailed lab manual, teacher guides, tests, and online grading options
Why I Like It: BJU Press is known for strong academics and clear biblical integration. The optional video courses are great for parents who want expert instruction without teaching everything themselves.
💻 10. Time4Learning High School Biology
- Price: $34.95/month (includes all subjects)
- Format: Online interactive lessons with automatic grading and quizzes
- Worldview: Secular
- Best for: Families wanting a hands-off, all-in-one solution with built-in assessments
- Learning Style Fit: Visual and self-paced learners; tech-savvy students
- Extras: Automated transcripts, quizzes, and optional science projects
Why I Like It: Time4Learning is ideal for busy families or those new to homeschooling. The subscription includes multiple subjects, making it great value for full-time homeschoolers.
🧬 11. Friendly Biology
- Price: ~$84 for textbook + student workbook set, video course $50–$99, lab kit optional
- Format: Textbook + video lessons, workbook activities, optional hands-on labs
- Worldview: Christian (gentle biblical integration)
- Best for: Students who struggle with science or need a simplified, friendly approach
- Learning Style Fit: Visual and auditory learners; ideal for reluctant or special needs learners
- Extras: Affordable lab kits, engaging videos, gentle pacing
Why I Like It: True to its name, Friendly Biology is approachable and unintimidating. It’s especially loved by parents of teens with learning challenges or those who need a slower, more encouraging pace without sacrificing content.
🧪 Things to Consider When Choosing a Biology Curriculum
- College Prep or Not? If your teen is college-bound, choose a course with labs and rigorous content.
- Does Your Teen Love Science? Make it fun with experiments, videos, or living books.
- Faith-Based vs. Secular: Be sure the worldview aligns with your family’s values.
- Parent Involvement Level: Some courses are open-and-go; others need you to teach or supervise labs.
💡 What’s the Best Homeschool High School Biology Course?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—your best choice depends on your teen’s learning style, your teaching time, and your budget. Whether you go with a structured textbook like Apologia, a creative pick like Guest Hollow, or a free option like CK-12, homeschool biology can be flexible and fascinating.
📥 Free Printable Comparison Chart
Want to compare these biology programs side by side? Download our free printable comparison chart to make choosing even easier.
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