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Homeschool High School Transcripts FAQ
High school transcripts are just one of many areas in which many homeschoolers struggle. Yet, transcript creation doesn’t have to be a headache. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about home school transcripts.
What should a basic homeschool transcript include?
Typically a basic transcript is just that BASIC. It includes:
- Name of student, homeschool name (if applicable) address, and phone numbers
- High School Course List by year – typically 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years
- Any college courses, dual enrollment, or honors courses
- Course grades. This should include semester grades and then final year end grades.
- The student’s final homeschool grade point average (GPA). Often there are also yearly GPA’s included as well.
- Homeschool credits given per course. These should be listed for each semester and then for the entire year.
- Grade scale that was used in the homeschool
- Any standardized testing that was given during the course of high school. (Achievement tests, IQ tests, SAT, ACT, and state proficiency tests)
- Final graduation date
- Parent signature with a date
Here is a link to a downloadable transcript for use in your homeschool!
What do colleges want to see in a College Preparatory transcript?
In addition to the basic transcript colleges may want to see a few more things. Some colleges can be very competitive in the selection process, and making your student’s transcripts stand out can really make a difference. In a transcript going to a college include the basic information above as well as:
- Course descriptions – sometimes this can be simply a sentence but some colleges may want a short paragraph (note that not all colleges require course descriptions – please check with the college in question)
- A list of any extracurricular activities
- A list of any leadership skills, awards won, volunteer hours, or other accomplishments
Check out course requirements by college-type
What should a course description include?
If the college you are applying to requests it, you may want to include a description of the courses on your high school transcript. A course description should include the course name, and a brief description of what the course taught. Using your curriculum’s scope and sequence will be very helpful in supplying this information. Any other notable occurrences or information about the course and how the student completed it should be noted here.
How should you create transcripts for a student who has a mixture of public, private, and homeschooling records?
Typically, the records from each school will be transferred separately. For instance, if your child first attended the public school and then transferred to a private school the public school records would have transferred as well. The new school will simply begin their record keeping on a new permanent record chart. As a homeschooler, you can keep these records separate or put them all together on a single transcript sheet. You may choose whether or not to notate where each course was taken in the course description. The single-transcript option is likely the most preferred as colleges prefer to have to review as little paperwork as possible.
How should courses be documented?
Typically, the yearly record with courses and grades is included in one document. While the course descriptions are included in their own separate document similar to an appendix. Here is an example of a yearly record.
| Ninth Grade | 2011-2012 | |
| Course | Grade (Semester/Final) | Credit |
| English 9 | 89/90 | 1 |
| Algebra I | 93/91 | 1 |
| Home ec | 95 | .5 |
| Biology | 92/94 | 1 |
| World History | 84/86 | 1 |
| P.E. | 93 | .5 |
| Spanish I | 93/95 | 1 |
| Art | 97 | .5 |
| Music | 93 | .5 |
Total Credits for 9th grade 7
Total GPA for 9th grade 3.8
How can you document volunteer hours and other types of awards or service?
This is often that part of the transcript that a competitive application process requires. This area can really set your student apart from everyone else. It gives the college a chance to see them in action, and to see where their priorities lie. These items can be documented on a separate sheet as well by titling the page and then listing each under a heading that corresponds to each accomplishment OR as an addendum on the main transcript. (see our downloadable transcript for an example of a single-sheet transcript)
Download our free community service log
About Jamie
Jamie Gaddy, B.S., M.Ed., Ed.D. has been a college education professor for over 17 years. Education has been an integral part of her life in both the classroom and as a principal. Six children later found her dissatisfied with traditional schooling and homeschooling became the better fit. She is also a pastor’s wife, remote project manager, and entrepreneur who now homeschools four of her six children (ages 11-17) in southern Georgia. Jamie loves to share about her homeschool experience and help other homeschoolers find success. Connect with her at [email protected]
August 5, 2013
Nate, Great question. There are a few ways that you could record that. 1) You could separate the Calculus course into part 1 and part 2. Putting part 1 down for 11th grade and part 2 down for 12th grade. As a former high school math teacher, it is rare that you ever completely finish a calculus text book in a school term. I think completing the entire Calculus text would qualify for two courses. OR 2) You could just list the course as Calculus and put it in either the 11th or 12th grade.
If a kid takes two years to complete a course, what is the best way to write that on a transcript? For example: through grades eleven and twelve this kid worked through a calculus book. how would that look on his transcript?
May,
Great question...we should update the article to include that info. When sending out applications as a junior, you would include a list of senior year courses, and their credit equivalencies on your transcript, but simply leave off grading info. Then you would note that the GPA is correct as of CURRENT DATE.
Thanks for this post. When preparing transcripts and course descriptions for college application for my Senior, do I include the 12th grade courses in the transcript and course descriptions? Or should it just show grades 9-11?
Tessa, check out this post for your answer: https://letshomeschoolhighschool.com/blog/2013/08/10/guide-high-school-credits-homeschool/
How many high school credits should we give for a 3 credit college dual enrollment class?