Do homeschoolers get high school diplomas or transcripts?

Homeschooling through the high school years may seem daunting, but it is completely doable and perhaps far easier than you imagine! Since homeschooling is a legal form of education, yes – your student will need to have a high school transcript documenting their credits earned. In almost all states, homeschooled graduates earn a legal high school diploma according to the homeschooling laws of their state.

Both the homeschool diploma and transcript can be used for college admission, scholarships, employment, and military service. Whether your teen is college-bound or does not plan on attending college or a trade school now, you should still prepare these records as plans may change years from now.

Do homeschoolers get a diploma or GED?

Ultimately it depends on the state where you are homeschooling. In most states, homeschooling leads to a legally-recognized high school diploma. In a few states, however, sometimes, homeschoolers are not considered high school graduates unless specific high school equivalency conditions are met. Be sure to check your state homeschooling lawsto verify your student’s diploma for homeschool will be recognized.

So how do homeschoolers document their high school work?

All completed high school courses are documented on a student’s high school transcript from 9th-12th grade. This is true for all students, including homeschooled students. In many states, homeschool parents serve as the teacher-of-record and will bear the responsibility of assigning grades, issuing high school credits, creating a transcript, and awarding a high school diploma. In states with multiple homeschooling options, other entities, such as an umbrella school, may take care of these tasks.

Regardless of your state’s stance on homeschool diplomas, you will need to document your child’s high school completion through a homeschool transcript. Depending on your state, your child’s progress may or may not need to be reviewed by a certified teacher or some other authority. A high school transcript provides evidence of high school completion. Again, check your state’s homeschooling laws to be aware of any required forms, but in many cases, the creation of the transcript is in the hands of the homeschool parent or guide.

How do homeschoolers organize these records?

You can likely use any sort of record-keeping system you like along the way, such as a homeschool portfolio It is strongly recommended that you document all high school course work at the end of each school year instead of waiting until your student’s senior year. It will make the process straightforward to complete. If your teen earned high school credits at a traditional school prior to homeschooling, you can notate those credits as ‘transferred from XYZ School.” (*Note: When applying for college admission, you may have to request transcripts from the former high school, which is common practice.)

What do credits mean for homeschoolers?

Credits for homeschoolers are typically based on the courses your child completes. While some states have specific credit requirements for high school graduation, homeschooling laws can vary. Check your state’s guidelines and NCAA requirements for homeschool athletes if applicable.

For high school, one credit usually equals completing about 75% of a textbook, a one-semester college course, or a year-long unit study. This equates to roughly 120-180 hours of work. As the teacher, you assign credits based on your child’s progress.

Time4Learning can help by automatically tracking the time spent on lessons, making it easier to assign credits. It also tracks grades for assignments and tests, simplifying the process of adding grades to homeschool transcripts.

How do I create a homeschool transcript?

Creating a homeschool transcript involves using basic student information and details about your homeschool. For each school year, include:

• Course name
• Course description (optional)
• Credits earned
• Final grade

Summarize the school year with:

• Total credits
• Grade point average (GPA)
• Cumulative GPA

You can also include extra details like dual enrollment, standardized test scores, activities, achievements, and volunteer work. The final transcript should also summarize attendance, GPA, credits, diploma type, and graduation date. As the teacher, you’ll sign off on the transcript to confirm your child’s accomplishments.

Time4Learning members have access to a number of templates including transcripts and high school diplomas in their Parent Account.