It’s hard to believe your homeschooler is now in high school and that they need a high school transcript!
Then some fearmongers in the homeschool community make it seem like an impossible feat for the average homeschool mom to accomplish. Don’t buy into that! It’s a process – yes, but it’s something that anyone can handle.
Our free No Stress Guide to Transcripts explains it in simple steps that will have you on your way to creating a solid well-built transcript for your high schooler.
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:
Ready to go deeper? You’ll want to print out an actual transcript template to work with while you walk through each step of this guide.
Start Here by printing the Free Homeschool High School Transcript Printable and then come back for the printable guide to the transcript creation book. These two tools will help you create a college-ready transcript for your high school student.
Telling parents of a homeschooled teen that they need to prepare a high school transcript can be equivalent to yelling, “Fire!” in a movie theater – panic ensues. While a high school transcript may be a necessity, it is not impossible and can be quite easy if you keep good records as your child progresses.
Most colleges now require a high school transcript from homeschooled students. Even if your student is not college-bound, creating a complete high school transcript is important for employer screening, joining the military, good driver insurance discounts, and eliminating the need for a GED to prove a high school education.
Keeping track of the information needed for a complete transcript can be a challenge, especially if you wait until your student’s senior year and try to wing it. Starting in 9th grade, begin preparing a transcript as your student progresses, keeping accurate records of books read and curriculum used in each course along with a brief description of each course and your student’s grades. The courses your homeschooler completes should be aptly named like courses offered in accredited public and private schools to standardize the learning requirement: Biology, Algebra, English 1, etc.
Some courses that can count for high school credit may fall under the category of “life skills”: woodworking or shop, gardening, nutrition, cooking or culinary, computer, and auto mechanics. Anyone looking at the transcript should be able to easily recognize the course as a legitimate high school-level course and have some idea of what was taught. Hence, a short course description is necessary. Check online with public and private accredited high schools to see what is taught in accepted standardized courses such as home economics or child development. Then, see what skills your student has learned that would qualify for legitimate high school courses. If you did not use a curriculum, select a few books that apply, have your student read them, and then list these on the transcript in your brief course description.
Colleges require certain college prep courses, but the rest are usually considered “electives.” Contact colleges to see what they require. The earlier you contact them, the better because some colleges and universities have different requirements for homeschooled students.
The goal of a high school transcript is to communicate what your homeschooled students have learned and achieved in preparation for college and life.
You can either start from scratch or use a high school transcript template. The important thing is to list courses clearly and concisely, making it easy to understand your child’s high school learning without further explanation.
Keep records of anything that may benefit an “audit” of your child’s high school career. This information comes in handy for college entrance and possible scholarships. Examples include:
Your student’s transcript should be one you can happily provide to anyone who may ask because it competently and accurately reflects your teen’s high school academics. Hopefully, the panic has left and you are feeling a little more comfortable in creating a professional transcript for your homeschooled teen!
Is high school on the horizon and you aren’t sure where to begin? Let us help by breaking down How to Homeschool High School. If you have a child currently in high school who is looking ahead to college, it can sometimes seem to be a daunting task to make sure they are adequately prepared. Fear not! We also are available to help you know How to Prepare Your Homeschool Graduate for College. Did you know that dual enrollment is possible for homeschooled high school students? Learn more about Homeschool High School Dual Enrollment by State.
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