Transcript Resource Page

It’s only the most important homeschool document you’ll ever create! No pressure.

We have lots of free and paid resource recommendations below. One thing to be aware of, is that recording college credit on a high school transcript is a bit different than recording high school credit.

Families who have a lot of college credit often worry about how to record credit earned through dual enrollment, CLEP, or ACE. Our families also want to be sure they are assigning the proper letter grades, calculating their GPA accurately, and not missing any key essentials.

Step 1: The Basic FAQs

Length? 1 page
Titles? Keep them simple.
Fonts and colors? Resist the urge.
+ and – grades? Only if you like doing extra math.
To weigh or not to weigh? When in doubt, do it both ways.
1 college course taken at a college with a grade = 1 high school credit.
Brand names shouldn’t appear on a high school transcript.
Test scores (PSAT, SAT, ACT, CLEP, AP, etc.) shouldn’t appear on a transcript per FERPA privacy guidelines.
Remember that the transcript is only one part of the application!

Step 2: Get a Template

Use a “by calendar” or “by year” format instead of a “by subject” format. While some colleges may permit you to use a “by subject” format, others will ask you to rewrite it. On the other hand, no college will ever ask you to rewrite a “by calendar” into a “by subject” format.
The “How To Homeschool” website allows you to create a pdf document that can then be printed or saved on your computer. The only downside is that your info isn’t saved. Transcript template
Home School Legal Defense Association has a wonderful section about transcripts on their website. Some of it is public, and some requires a membership, but you can also purchase a transcript template from their site. HSLDA Transcript Resource Page
Want the BEST template? Build one yourself! The problem with buying or downloading templates (even free ones) is that their formatting doesn’t usually allow you to edit or make changes you need. In Jennifer’s workshop, we’ll go from blank paper to full template in 30 minutes. It’s open to anyone with or without computer skills. (free) Build it Now!

Step 3: Calculate GPA

The easiest GPA calculator is Back2College SUPER easy to use, totally free, but it is really just a calculator. It uses the standard 4.0 (unweighted) grading scale.
The easiest GPA calculator for weighted GPA GPA Calculator
GPA calculator for your phone

Step 4: Attend a Live HS4CC Transcript Workshop

Date	Time	Registration
January 14, 2022	3:00pm – 5:30pm EST	SOLD OUT
March 18, 2022	3:00pm – 5:30pm EST	Register Now
May, 2022		TBA
July, 2022		TBA
September, 2022		TBA
November, 2022		TBA

2022 Schedule

This special 3-hour class is offered several times per year (see schedule above), and taught by Jennifer Cook-DeRosa. It’s the best way to get a deep and thorough understanding of building the best transcript for your homeschool teen – especially when it includes both high school and college credit. Classes last for 2- 1/2 to 3 hours and include a Q&A period. Each participant will receive a recording of the entire class, the slide deck/teaching packet, and an invitation to email their transcript for a private review. Space is always limited, classes always sell out. $40.

Course Outline

What is a transcript? What is it not?
Homeschool record keeping
Sending transcripts to college
Where does a transcript come from?
What to put on the transcript, and what to leave off
Why unique transcripts make a poor impression
What goes in the header and footer
How to enter courses on any template
Weighted Honors GPA / College GPA / AP GPA
Unweighted GPA
How to use a GPA calculator
What counts as 1 high school credit? (5 methods to use)
What makes dual enrollment different?
Using blending homeschool & DE courses for credit
Converting dual enrollment into high school credit
When and how to round with good judgement
Recording dual enrollment on a homeschool transcript
Recording credit by exam (CLEP, DSST, AP, UExcel, TECEP, ACTFL)
Recording ACE credit (Sophia, Studycom, Straighterline, Saylor, etc.)
Recording continuing education / adult education courses
Recording remedial courses
Writing course titles
Writing course descriptions
Case Studies (examine several real examples of homeschool and college curriculum and see how it is properly recorded on a high school transcript)