What Reviewers Say

Reviewers consistently praise Nancy Larson Science for its "open and go" simplicity, which removes the stress of lesson preparation for parents. Cathy Duffy highlights the program's highly scripted format and traditional structure with worksheets and assessments, making it accessible for parents who feel inexperienced in teaching science. Homeschool On emphasizes the curriculum's effectiveness for multi-level teaching — one family used a single level across three different grades simultaneously. A significant trade-off is the traditional, worksheet-heavy feel, which won't appeal to families seeking a literature-based approach. The Happy Housewife points out a unique benefit: the integration of reading and study skills, which helps students who enjoy science but struggle with literacy. The price point is higher than many competitors, but the consensus is that zero prep time and comprehensive kits make it worthwhile for busy families.

How It Works

A typical week consists of 2-3 lessons, each lasting about 30-45 minutes. The parent opens the Teacher’s Manual and reads the bolded script, walking the child through a concept and a hands-on demonstration using items from the included Tool Kit. The child follows along in their own student booklet, highlighting key terms and completing a structured review page that reinforces both science vocabulary and reading comprehension. There is no prep work beyond gathering the kit items listed at the start of the lesson. The week usually ends with a brief assessment or a Science Word Wall review.

Switching to This?

Nancy Larson does not offer a formal placement test, but the publisher provides detailed "A Look Inside" samples for each level. Because the program is designed to be taught across multiple ages, the community rule of thumb is to choose the level that fits the oldest child (up to a 2-grade gap) or to start with Science 1 if children are all in early elementary years. Families can start mid-year since kits are self-contained. Switching from a literature-heavy program like BookShark, expect a more formal, worksheet-based reinforcement of facts.

Curriculum Details

Price

$420 - $510

Complete program kits range from $420 (K) to $510 (Science 5). Individual student units ($50-$85) and refill kits available for families teaching multiple children or reusing kits. Pricing confirmed from publisher 2026-06.

Grades

K - 5

Available As

Print Workbook Hands On Kit

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Science

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Pacing

Flexible

Parent Time

30-45 min/day

Parent Involvement

None

Student Independence

Needs instruction

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Academic Level

Grade level

Worldview

Neutral

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Parent Role:

The parent acts as a direct instructor, reading from a provided script and facilitating hands-on demonstrations using the included kit materials.

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: June 2026 by Claude (v2 research)

How This Compares

Real Science-4-Kids: Single-subject units (e.g., just Chemistry) rather than the spiral Nancy Larson approach covering multiple branches each year. BookShark: Living-books and encyclopedia driven; Nancy Larson uses scripted manuals and student booklets. Mystery Science: Video-centric and digital; Nancy Larson is print-based and centered on physical kits. Apologia Science: Christian worldview with a conversational tone; Nancy Larson is neutral and more formally scripted. Evan-Moor Science: Primarily supplemental worksheets; Nancy Larson is a comprehensive core curriculum.

Getting Started