Apologia vs BJU Press Science (2026): two Christian science curricula compared
Apologia and BJU Press are two Christian science curriculum publishers. Apologia is explicitly young-earth-creationist with a more conversational textbook voice; BJU Press sells science as textbook kits and video courses and says its science curriculum examines the evidence for a young-earth model. Different formats.
TL;DR
Apologia fits families specifically wanting young-earth-creation framing throughout, with the conversational textbook voice that elementary students engage with. BJU Press works for families wanting textbook kits built around a teacher edition, or video courses, in a program that says it examines the evidence for a young-earth model.
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Apologia and BJU Press both publish Christian-homeschool science curricula. Apologia is a young-earth-creationist Christian science publisher with the Exploring Creation Junior elementary series and the high school sequence (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy). BJU Press says it produces Pre-K through grade 12 educational materials with a biblical worldview, and its homeschool science page lists video course and textbook kits from Science 1 through Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The two differ in format and in how each describes its science program.
Decision rubric, side by side
Apologia Educational Ministries wins 0 · BJU Press wins 0 · Tied on 7
| Dimension | Apologia Educational Ministries | BJU Press | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theological positioning | Explicit young-earth creationist throughout | Biblical worldview shaping in all materials, per the publisher; its science page says the curriculum examines the evidence for a young-earth model | Tie |
| Elementary format | Notebooking journal + conversational textbook | Textbook kits with a student edition or worktext, a teacher edition, and assessments, per the publisher | Tie |
| High school format | Textbook with student notebook and lab kit | Student edition, teacher edition, and assessments, with an activity manual for some subjects, per the publisher | Tie |
| Online / video / live class support | Apologia Academy (online live classes), audio versions of texts | Online video courses on the Homeschool Hub, or DVD video courses, per the publisher | Tie |
| Lab kit availability | Full lab kits for high school courses | Not stated on the publisher's science page | Tie |
| Cost per high school course | Around $80-120 plus lab kit | See the publisher's science courses for current prices | Tie |
| Best for | Families specifically wanting young-earth conversational science | Families wanting textbook kits built around a teacher edition, or video courses, in a program that examines the evidence for a young-earth model | Tie |
Apologia Educational MinistriesExplicit young-earth creationist throughout
BJU PressBiblical worldview shaping in all materials, per the publisher; its science page says the curriculum examines the evidence for a young-earth model
Apologia Educational MinistriesNotebooking journal + conversational textbook
BJU PressTextbook kits with a student edition or worktext, a teacher edition, and assessments, per the publisher
Apologia Educational MinistriesTextbook with student notebook and lab kit
BJU PressStudent edition, teacher edition, and assessments, with an activity manual for some subjects, per the publisher
Apologia Educational MinistriesApologia Academy (online live classes), audio versions of texts
BJU PressOnline video courses on the Homeschool Hub, or DVD video courses, per the publisher
Apologia Educational MinistriesFull lab kits for high school courses
BJU PressNot stated on the publisher's science page
Apologia Educational MinistriesAround $80-120 plus lab kit
BJU PressSee the publisher's science courses for current prices
Apologia Educational MinistriesFamilies specifically wanting young-earth conversational science
BJU PressFamilies wanting textbook kits built around a teacher edition, or video courses, in a program that examines the evidence for a young-earth model
When to pick Apologia Educational Ministries
Pick Apologia if the family wants young-earth-creation framing explicit throughout the curriculum, if the conversational notebooking-journal format fits your elementary child's engagement style, or if you want the Apologia Academy online live-class option as a supplement. Apologia is also the right pick for families specifically participating in the broader Apologia ecosystem (co-ops, online classes, community).
Visit apologia.com Read full review →When to pick BJU Press
Pick BJU Press if the family wants textbook kits built around a teacher edition and assessments, as the publisher's textbook page describes them, or if the online or DVD video courses described in its video course FAQ fit your homeschool rhythm.
Visit bjupresshomeschool.com Read full review →Verdict
In our assessment, the decision is largely about format: Apologia's conversational textbook voice versus BJU Press's textbook kits and video courses. The other comparison in this segment is Apologia vs Berean Builders; see /comparisons/apologia-vs-berean-builders-science.
Where to buy Apologia Educational Ministries
The publisher’s own site is below, plus the retailers that typically carry it new, and the used market. Each link is a search for Apologia Educational Ministries, so the price you see is whatever the retailer is charging today. We list retailers by availability, never by commission.
Some links below are affiliate links. How we make money.
Visit apologia.com →Largest Christian-homeschool catalog
Secular + Christian homeschool retailer
Indie-bookstore network (10% commission supports indie shops)
Reformed-Presbyterian theology and homeschool resources
Wide selection, fast shipping(affiliate)
Where to buy BJU Press
The publisher’s own site is below, plus the retailers that typically carry it new, and the used market. Each link is a search for BJU Press, so the price you see is whatever the retailer is charging today. We list retailers by availability, never by commission.
Some links below are affiliate links. How we make money.
Visit bjupresshomeschool.com →Largest Christian-homeschool catalog
Secular + Christian homeschool retailer
Indie-bookstore network (10% commission supports indie shops)
Reformed-Presbyterian theology and homeschool resources
Wide selection, fast shipping(affiliate)
Want the full landscape?
Read the Science pillar guide for the broader comparison
The Science guide covers the broader field of science curricula.
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