Free High School Transcript Template for Homeschoolers

As a homeschooling parent who has graduated two high school students so far, I know how overwhelming homeschool transcripts are. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be! This guide and our free high school transcript template will help you to create a well-organized transcript for your high school students.

High School Transcript Template

Whether your high school student plans to attend college, trade schools, or jump straight into the workforce, a high school transcript is an essential document you need to keep.

I recommend that you do not wait until Senior year to put it together! I suggest finding a template that you like, or creating your own the summer before 9th grade begins. Then you have everything ready and you can just fill it in as you go along each year.

Using a high school transcript template is an easy way to create a transcript by plugging in the information with an editable template!

Don’t forget to grab your free download at the bottom of this post. There is an editable template that you can fill out and save on your computer. There is even a printable form that you can fill out by hand as you go along, then transfer to the computer later.

What is a Homeschool Transcript and Why is it Important?

Your student’s high school transcript provides a clear record of your teen’s high school years, including their homeschool coursework, final grades, and the number of credits they have earned.

It’s a key part of college applications as admissions officers want to see what your homeschool child took during their high school years. It can also be useful for scholarships, internships and job opportunities.

How to Create a Homeschool Transcript for Your Child

A well-structured homeschool transcript should include all the necessary information in a clear, professional format. Once you know the basic steps, creating your student’s high school transcript is super easy.

Start With the Basics

First, include your child’s name, address and date of birth, as well as the beginning and ending dates of their homeschooling years.

List Courses

For each year of high school you will want to list the course names your students took. You will want to include core subjects such as: High School Math, High School Science, English, History, Foreign Languages, and electives.

Electives

The best part about homeschooling the high school years is that your teens can study what interests them. There are many high school students who want to do their own independent study of a specific topic or hobby that they are passionate about.

As long as they spend around 120 hours on that subject you can absolutely give them high school credits for those. Make sure to include a letter grade that is earned for each high school course taken.

Some examples would be:

• Creative Writing: Journaling, poetry, extra curricular writing and short story classes, etc..
• Home Economics: baking, cooking, meal planning, sewing, quilting, crochet, and handicrafts
• Agriculture: gardening, farming, homesteading, animal husbandry
• Woodworking or Auto Shop: Learning about auto and home maintenance, building projects, etc..
• Career Exploration: This can be earned by attending job fairs, interviewing people that work in different career paths that your student may be interested in, online research etc..
• Computer Science Classes: Many of these can also earn certifications that you can include on the transcript.
• Speech and Debate: If your student took a speech and debate class, or was part of a speech and debate club, this is a great thing to add to a transcript.

Calculate GPA and Assign Number of Credits

Assigning credit hours in a homeschool high school transcript is simpler than it sounds! A full-year high school course typically equals one credit, while a semester course counts as 0.5. You can determine credits based on time spent (120-150 hours per credit) or mastery of the material.

To calculate the GPA, the easiest way is to use a standard 4.0 scale:

• A = 4.0
• B = 3.0
• C = 2.0
• D = 1.0

If your homeschooled student takes college level courses through dual enrollment, you may choose to use a weighted scale, where an A in a college course is worth 5.0 instead of 4.0.

Grading

Assigning grades can be tricky for homeschooling parents, especially if you didn’t homeschool like a traditional school and focused on learning in a hands-on or delight directed way.

That is the beauty of homeschooling, and you can still create an amazing transcript no matter how your child learned.

• Use a consistent grading scale: Decided if you will be using letter grades, or a numerical grade point system.
• Grade based on effort: Take a look at how your child completed their work. Did they learn to master the material and put in the full effort? Take the time to reflect on their work and progress when you assign their grades.
• Document everything: Keep records of test scores, assignments and any extra projects. This is a good way to justify the grades assigned on the transcript if there happens to be any questions about it.

Including Extracurricular Activities and Volunteer Work

Colleges and employers love to see a well-rounded high school student who has engaged in extracurricular activities beyond academics. Though they don’t count towards any credit requirements, they help demonstrate skills like leadership, teamwork, and commitment.

Here are some things you can list. Many of these you can turn into elective credits too!

• Sports and Physical Education: Organized team sports, martial arts, dance, or fitness programs
• Music and Fine Arts: Choir, band, theater, visual arts
• Volunteer Work and Community Service: Church involvement, charity work, tutoring younger students
• Leadership Roles: Student government, 4-H, scouting, youth groups
• Academic Clubs and Competitions: Speech and Debate, robotics, coding, science fairs
• Part-time Jobs and Internships: Work experience, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship etc.

These activities can be included in a separate section on the student’s high school transcript or as an attachment, especially for college applications.

Special Considerations for a Homeschool Graduate’s Transcript

Here are a couple more items to consider as you are completing that transcript.

Special Education or Learning Differences

If your high school student has an IEP or requires accommodations, you can include a section on progress notes instead of traditional letter grades. Some families attach a separate document explaining modifications, but this is optional.

Online and Dual Enrollment Courses

Many homeschool students take advantage of earning free college credit through dual enrollment and take college classes through a local community college or online programs.

These college courses should be listed under a separate section with the course provider’s name, along with the number of credits and final grade. Any college courses taken can strengthen a homeschool high school transcript and show readiness for higher education.

Transfer Credits from Co-ops or Traditional Schools

If your teen attended a co-op, public school, umbrella school, or private school for different subjects, list these as transfer credits. Be sure to use the exact course names and final grades as provided by the institution to maintain accuracy.

Making Your Own Transcript Look Official

The easiest way to create a professional-looking transcript is to use free resources like templates or transcript generators. Keep it to one or two pages with a clean, organized format. While not always required, you can have it notarized for extra credibility.

3 Options to Create A High School Transcript Template

You can create a very professional looking transcript using one of these three options:

Easily Generate a Transcript with Homeschool Planet

If you are a Homeschool Planet User you can easily generate a transcript through your Homeschool Planet account. It is so easy and all the work is done for you!

This option will give you greater flexibility than the options above plus they have a free guide at How to Generate a Homeschool Transcript with Homeschool Planet.

If you aren’t currently a member, the membership does have a cost. They do however offer a free trial to allow you to try out all the features before you buy:

Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschool High School Transcripts

These are some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive from homeschooling parents about creating transcripts.

Do Homeschool Transcripts Need to Be Notarized or Official?

No. Homeschool transcripts don’t need to be notarized, but they should look official.

Will Colleges Accept Homeschool Transcripts?

Absolutely. Colleges are very eager to accept homeschool students. Each state may vary with what they require you to submit.

Some may ask for additional documentation or supporting information that your student was homeschooled, as well as a copy of their diploma with the transcript.

How Do I Include Online Courses or Dual Enrollment Classes?

Include a separate section on your transcript for college credits, and make sure to specify that they are college credits.

You will also want to make sure you get the official transcript from the college your students took classes through and include that in any college applications.

How do I assign credits for independent work or self-paced courses?

Many homeschool students complete independent work through unit studies, internships, or projects they are passionate about. You can assign credit hours based on the time spent on these projects. Ideally you will want 120-150 hours per full credit.

For example: my daughter participated in community theater her entire high school year. She did one show a year. Each show had about 60- 80 hours of practice and performance. At the end of her high school year she was able to receive two elective credit. One for musical theater and one for musical performance.

Should I include standardized test scores on the transcript?

While not required, some families choose to list SAT, ACT, or CLT scores on their transcript. However, most colleges request official test scores separately. These will be sent to the college directly at the time of testing if you choose the name of the college you want to receive your scores.

How do I list honors, AP, or college-level courses?

If your student has taken college level courses, AP, or honors classes, you can designate them with an “H,” “AP,” or “DE” (for dual enrollment) next to the course names. You may also use a weighted GPA scale to show the increased difficulty of the course.

Final Thoughts

A homeschool high school transcript showcases your student’s hard work and sets them up for college applications, scholarships, or their future plans.

Whether they’re applying to college, trade schools, or jumping into the workforce, having a solid transcript will help them on their journey.