What Reviewers Say

Elemental Science is highly regarded for its adherence to the classical education model, with reviewers like Cathy Duffy highlighting its alignment with 'The Well-Trained Mind' framework. Families consistently praise the flexibility of the 2-day and 5-day schedules, which allow for customization based on family needs. The curriculum is often described as 'easy to implement' with experiments that utilize common household items. However, common trade-offs are noted: the Classic Series can feel 'dry' or 'book-heavy' due to its reliance on encyclopedias, and the Sassafras Science narrative style is polarizing—some students find it captivating while others find the writing quality lacking. Its 'neutral' stance on origins makes it a versatile choice, though it may require supplementation for families seeking a strictly secular or strictly young-earth perspective.

How It Works

Parents choose between a two-day or five-day weekly schedule, with each session typically lasting 30 to 45 minutes at the kitchen table. During a lesson, the parent reads a selection from a science encyclopedia or a narrative storybook, and the child summarizes what they heard by writing a narration or drawing a picture in their student workbook. Once or twice a week, the parent and child perform a hands-on experiment using common household items, such as food coloring, jars, or string, to see the scientific concepts in action. The week usually wraps up with the child updating a project folder or adding new terms to a handmade glossary to reinforce what they learned.

Switching to This?

Since Elemental Science does not offer formal placement tests, families typically choose a level based on their child’s grade and the classical education cycle, usually starting with Biology for first or fifth grade. Families can easily start mid-year at the beginning of any specific unit, though most find it best to start at the beginning of a book to establish the notebooking routine. If you are switching from a program that uses traditional textbooks, be prepared to spend more time reading aloud and helping your child learn to narrate, or summarize, information in their own words. For those choosing the Sassafras Science narrative series, the community recommendation is to start with Volume 1 regardless of the time of year to ensure the student follows the overarching adventure story.

Curriculum Details

Price

$15 - $150

Pricing varies by series; Science Chunks are lower cost (~$15), while full Rhetoric stage bundles or Classic series print bundles range from $50 to $120+.

Grades

PRE-K - 12

Available As

Digital Print Workbook Audiobook

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Science

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Pacing

Flexible

Parent Time

15-45 min/day

Parent Involvement

Minimal

Student Independence

Semi-independent

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Academic Level

Grade level

Worldview

Neutral

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

Compared to REAL Science Odyssey by Pandia Press, Elemental Science is more strictly aligned with the classical four-year cycle, making it the preferred choice for families following 'The Well-Trained Mind' framework. When weighed against Apologia, Elemental Science takes a 'neutral' stance on origins, providing a middle ground for families who want to avoid the heavy Young-Earth Creationist focus found in Apologia. In contrast to BookShark, which provides a wide variety of loosely related science books, Elemental Science is more streamlined and focuses deeply on one specific branch of science, such as Chemistry, for an entire year. Parents choosing between the Classic Series and Sassafras Science should note that the Classic Series uses factual encyclopedias for a traditional feel, while Sassafras uses a fictional story to deliver the same facts. Finally, compared to Ellen McHenry’s Science, which is known for its deep-dive artistic approach into specific topics like cells or elements, Elemental Science offers a broader, more structured survey of an entire scientific field.