What Reviewers Say

Science Shepherd is consistently praised by reviewers for its high academic rigor and its ability to facilitate truly independent learning. Cathy Duffy highlights its creationist worldview and notes that it fills a unique niche for high schoolers needing to work through labs and lessons without constant parental oversight. Users on the Well-Trained Mind forums position the curriculum as a "middle-ground" powerhouse, specifically ranking it as more intensive than Apologia but slightly less demanding and more accessible than BJU Press. The program is lauded for its flexibility and professional presentation; "The Homeschooling Momma" notes that the combination of high-quality graphics and video lessons caters effectively to both visual and auditory learners. A common theme across reviews is the relief it provides to parents who do not feel confident teaching science themselves, as the "Introductory Science" level and high school courses are led by an MD. While highly rigorous, the self-paced nature and visual aids prevent it from feeling overwhelming for students who are motivated to work independently.

How It Works

Students follow a self-paced schedule where they watch a daily video lesson (typically 5-15 minutes) presented by Dr. Scott Hardin, followed by reading from the textbook or completing workbook assignments. Throughout the week, the child performs experiments using the lab manual, often following along with video demonstrations for complex procedures. Parents are responsible for checking the child's progress, reviewing workbook answers using the provided keys, and grading the unit tests. For the high school levels, students can manage the entire process autonomously, only requiring the parent to verify their test scores.

Switching to This?

While there are no formal placement tests, "Introductory Science" is flexible across grades 1-5, and "Life Science" serves as a bridge to high school biology. Families switching from Apologia should expect a more formal, less conversational tone and an increase in technical depth. Because the video subscriptions offer lifetime access and the curriculum is asynchronous, families can start mid-year or adjust the pace to suit the student's needs without penalty.

Curriculum Details

Price

$60 - $202

High-school bundles ~$180–$202; middle-school ~$66–$180; elementary ~$60–$80. Video courses offer lifetime access.

Grades

PRE-K - 12

Available As

Digital Print Video

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Science

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Pacing

Self-paced

Parent Time

30-60 min/day

Student Independence

Fully independent

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Academic Level

Above grade level

Worldview

Christian

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Parent Role:

The parent primarily acts as a facilitator and grader. Because the lessons are taught via video by Dr. Scott Hardin, parents do not need a science background. Their role is limited to supervising labs, reviewing completed workbook pages, and proctoring/grading exams.

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: June 2026 by Claude (v2 research)

How This Compares

Apologia: Science Shepherd is generally considered more academically rigorous and less conversational in tone than Apologia, while maintaining a similar creationist worldview. - BJU Press: Science Shepherd is often viewed as a more streamlined, independent-study-friendly alternative to the more teacher-intensive and demanding BJU Press science courses. - The Good and the Beautiful: While both use high-quality graphics, Science Shepherd follows a more traditional, video-led academic structure compared to the unit-study and family-style approach of The Good and the Beautiful. - Berean Builders: Science Shepherd utilizes a traditional subject-based sequence (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), whereas Berean Builders organizes science chronologically through history.

Getting Started