Why are Apologia science books so popular with homeschoolers?

It may be because homeschooling parents are challenged with teaching science and find Apologia easier to understand themselves. You might want to find some secular online science classes and order science books/workbooks from one of the major textbook publishers that supplies material to public schools.I am, also, a Christian, but do not use Apologia -- nor do I believe in a "young earth."

Late answer:

I think that there are a few reasons why.

First, I think parents look for different things in a curriculum. For a parent preparing their child for a Christian university, a Christian curriculum may seem like a better choice. They may also be unwilling to look at any curriculum that isn't Christian. For a parent preparing their child for a selective secular university, they would be looking for something different. Some may frown on Christian curriculum. The truth about curriculum is that any could adequately prepare our kids for university. Apologia is not the "best" nor is Holt. Students will be expected to be able to figure out later on what is correct. They need to learn to learn as much as they need to understand the facts might be wrong. Add to that, most curriculum contains some errors.

Next, a lot of parents wouldn't have the background to find the errors. They may actually think that the errors are correct. There may be fewer in other curricula, but they wouldn't have the time to look through them all with a fine tooth comb.

Last, whether anyone here wants to admit it, there is a good deal of following among some in the homeschooling community. Plenty of parents choose their curriculum in part because they know others who are using it. They go by the reviews of the other parents in their co-ops or groups. That's not all bad, but if they do it because Mrs. Smith says it's the way her son got into college, then they feel they must too. Even if Mrs. William's son was equally well prepared using a different curriculum. It comes down to individual choice. Some parents put a lot of thought into their choices. Others put less into that.

Finally a thought on thumbsdowns. This place isn't a popularity contest. In fact, the best answers often get a lot of thumbsups and thumbsdowns. If someone needs validation as the expert, eh, it's just the wrong place. I would expect my answer to upset some people and get a few thumbsdowns. It's pretty blunt about following and curriculum choices. And I'm perfectly fine with that. It's my opinion, and if you take a thumbsdown to be simple disagreement, it makes sense. Yes, users give negative feed back for no reason. They also give it when it doesn't agree with their answers. Nobody gets upset around here if a kid asks, "What do you prefer, school or homeschool?" and the one word answer "School" gets thumbsdowns. Is their opinion less valuable than ours if it says nothing else? I don't think so, but a lot do. I don't give a lot of thumbsdowns, but I will if the answer doesn't address the question, has a rude or condescending tone, or is factually incorrect. It doesn't really matter to me if I agree or disagree.

I agree with Ms. Phyllis that some parents may feel more comfortable with the style, especially if they have a limited background in science. By limited I mean no college level courses. If they don't have a good background, they may think it's well written and factually correct. They have less experience from which to judge its accuracy.

I agree that you might do well to look for secular materials. Remember you can teach the bible separately and explain your disagreements to your kids. A lot of parents seem to think they can't do that. Most Christians I know who have a good background in science handle it that way.

You don't say how old your kids are, but if they're in elementary, look at the Aims Science units. They aren't geared at homeschooled student but it's easy to adapt them. They are hands on but teach scientific concepts. The publisher is located on the campus of a Christian University, so there is unlikely anything you would object to. I haven't used them, but they have material geared toward older students. There are plenty of traditional curriculums out there. Don't feel you must use a curriculum you don't like because Mrs. Jones in the co-op does. 😉

As with any teaching books, what works great for some students may not work well for others. Teaching styles and learning styles vary greatly. Just choose what works for you and your student(s).

As far as the thinking that Apologia Science isn't college worthy, that wasn't the case with my son. He happened to like the high school level Apologia science books. In fact, he just graduated from a University and was awarded "The Most Outstanding Biology Major" of his graduating class. He had even noted that the Apologia prepared him well for college.

--I guess to each, his own.

Abeka is a company that sells homeschooling books, I used them up until 8th grade when I switched to public school. I thought they were good books.

Apologia Science Books

Well, I sure liked Holt for math. Abeka k-4 then Holt the rest of the way. Youngest thinks Calculus books are for pleasure reading. But the sciences I found lacking in variety mostly. Maybe you could switch to something like outdoor sciences (trees, environment, fish,birds, things like that). This fall maybe they could catalog the changes in bird patterns, iron leaves in wax paper and identify them and their trees. Kids like salamanders and slugs (euu). Teach them to observe their environment. Plant an acorn. Mine always kept weather data, writing their own versions of almanacs. Lots you can do without buying a bunch of curriculum A bird ID book, along with a tree one should keep them busy. I have a western forest one that is falling apart, it got used to death for birds, plants, fungus, animals, etc. My kids got a big thrill out of finding a Canadian Goose with a neckband number. They turned it in and got a detailed listing of where the bird had been. Helping to track migration patterns is important adult stuff you know. Science doesn't have to be dry, boring stuff out of a book. It can be a nature hike with notebooks. Oh and a cool site I've been totally enjoying - http://www.nautiluslive.org/

Note that the kids can ask questions of the team.