Credits, Transcripts, and Tests – OH MY!

High school credits? Ugh! That’s an instant homeschool parent stressor. Whether you’re a homeschooling veteran or just getting started, understanding how high school credits work for a homeschool transcript can be a daunting, but necessary task. This is especially true for those who are preparing to apply to higher education, as universities look closely at transcripts to assess a student’s academic achievements. Knowing this, it’s important to be aware of how credit accumulation is determined in a homeschool setting.

By the end, you’ll understand how to correctly award credits, so you can take the steps necessary to create an effective transcript that accurately reflects your student’s academic achievements.

By Lisa Nehring of True North Homeschool Acadamy and It’s Not that Hard to Homeschool

Credits, Transcripts and Tests – Stepping Stones to the Future

Start with the End in Mind: Exposure- Interest- Strategy

What kind of LIFE does your student want to live?

The Transcript is the STORY of your student’s High School Career

You want to include:

• Academic Classes
• Extra-Curricular
• Community Service
• Physical Education
• The ARTS
• Work
• Clubs
• Camps
• Team Activities
• Awards
• Leadership Opportunities

What is a credit?

Credit- Carnegie Unit – 120-180

Hours of Work

• 1 Credit- 120 hours
• ½ Credit -60 hours
• ¼ Credit- 30 hours
• 2 Credits -240 hours

How to accrue a credit? 

• Class time
• Reading
• Tests & Exams
• Projects
• Papers
• Presentations
• Competitions
• Practice

KEEP IN MIND

• Make sure you don’t undervalue
• Include Hard Skills and Soft Skills
• Don’t forget Life Skills (Adulting)
• You need to capture your student’s STAND-OUT factor
• You are your student’s most valuable resource

Create a VISION for your family

Develop a Liturgical Life and focus on faith formation.  Create time and intention

Academic Transcript

(21 Credits)

College Prep Transcript

(23 Credits)

Honors Transcript

Typical Course of Study (4 Years)

Don’t Forget!

• Student’s Name
• Name of School
• Dates Attended
• Work listed by Grade or Subject
• Credits Earned
• Grades Earned
• Grading Scale
• Signed and Dated

TESTING

• Develop Strategies for Success
• Learn how to work under pressure
• Learn how to make an educated guess & eliminate obvious wrong answers
• Understand instructions particular to each section
• Tests are created to be endurance tests

High Test Scores

-Scholarship money

Every point higher on a test can translate into academic dollars

Composite Scores count

SUMMARY!!!

• Start with the End in Mind
• Typical Course of Study
• Stand out Factor- Electives, etc.
• Strategize Testing
• Launch with JOY
• Pivot as Necessary- be flexible and adaptable!