Online Transcript Platform for Homeschool High Schoolers, Interview with Enid Franklin

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
October 3, 2023 by Leave a Comment

WThis week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Online Transcript Platform for Homeschool High Schoolers, Interview with Enid Franklin.

Online Transcript Platform for Homeschool High Schoolers, Interview with Enid Franklin

Online Transcript Platform for Homeschool High Schoolers, Interview with Enid Franklin

If you’re wondering about how to get your high schooler’s transcript under control, we have you covered here in this interview with Enid Franklin and Brittany Williams. Our friends Enid and Brittany are the masterminds behind Franklin Homeschool Services and My Portfolio Page. These incredible women have developed an online portfolio and transcript service. It will revolutionize the way you document and showcase your homeschooling achievements.

Let’s dive into their journey, the benefits of online portfolios, and how this online transcript platform can transform your homeschooling experience.

Getting to Know Enid and Brittany

Enid Franklin, a lifelong Maryland resident and homeschooling mom, has successfully homeschooled her three children. Her oldest daughter recently earned her master’s degree in journalism at the age of 21! Her son is pursuing a career as a firefighter, while her youngest daughter has just completed her first year at Drexel University. 

Brittany Williams, another homeschooling mom, also has successfully homeschool her three kids. Her oldest son graduated from Towson University two years ago and now works in the film industry. Her daughter is about to enter her third year at Coastal Carolina, majoring in marine biology. And then Brittany’s youngest son just graduated from high school, and he plans to attend Baltimore County Community College before transferring to a university for mechanical engineering. 

The Birth of Franklin Homeschool Services:

Franklin Homeschool Services became established in 2021, after Enid recognized the need for comprehensive homeschooling support. That summer, she started the company after working as an administrator for a homeschool umbrella. When COVID hit, many families who never intended to homeschool suddenly found themselves needing guidance. 

When Enid finished homeschooling her own children, she realized she had a wealth of knowledge to share. So, she decided to start Franklin Homeschool Services. With her years of homeschooling knowledge and experience, Enid was determined to give back to the homeschooling community. 

Brittany joined forces with Enid due to their shared passion for helping families navigate the overwhelming process of homeschooling. Together, they provide consulting services, guidance, and encouragement to homeschoolers at all stages of their journey.

Introducing ‘My Portfolio Page’

Do you recall the days of bulky physical portfolios and the stress of having them reviewed? Not anymore! Introducing My Portfolio Page, an online portfolio and transcript service offered by Franklin Homeschool Services that makes the process of keeping up with your transcripts and documents super easy. 

And easy is exactly what we busy homeschool moms are looking for these days, especially when it comes to prepping our high schoolers for graduation and college.

Because Enid and Brittany understand the challenges of creating and maintaining physical portfolios, they have created My Portfolio Page, which is a user-friendly platform that simplifies the process and eliminates the risk of losing important documents. This digital portfolio service allows homeschoolers to effortlessly track attendance, create activity logs, log reading lists, and even upload pictures to support their educational experiences.

The Benefits of Keeping Online Portfolios

You’ll find numerous advantages of using an online transcript maker in homeschooling. Firstly, it provides an organized and easily accessible record of your child’s educational journey. No more searching for misplaced log sheets or worrying about physical portfolios getting lost during moves or transitions! 

​ The portfolios are not only useful for reviews but also serve as keepsakes and a way to celebrate the progress and achievements of homeschooling. Once the portfolio is complete, it can be downloaded, printed, and organized in a binder for a physical keepsake. 

Using an online transcript platform, like My Portfolio Page, also allows you to showcase your child’s achievements in a professional and visually appealing manner, making it easier to share with colleges, universities, and potential employers.

It’s like a media kit or a resume of your child’s academic years, and My Portfolio Page makes the process of accumulating all the information a breeze.

Streamlining Transcript Creation

One of the most exciting features of My Portfolio Page is the ease with which it generates transcripts. By linking the report card to the high school component, parents can input grades, including weighted grades for honors or AP courses, and the system automatically calculates the GPA. 

My Portfolio Page eliminates the stress of manually calculating GPAs and ensures accuracy in transcript creation. Once completed, you can easily download and print the transcript, ready to be included in college applications or other educational endeavors.

Online Transcript Platform

It’s important to start off your high schooler on the right foot and utilize the tech tools available to make homeschooling more manageable. Enid and Brittany understand the importance of support and encouragement, and their services reflect their commitment to helping families thrive in their homeschooling journeys.

Enid and Brittany are beloved in the homeschool community. Satisfied parents often share the impact of their services and the ease with which they can handle record-keeping and documentation.

If you are a homeschooling parent looking to streamline your record-keeping process and enhance your child’s educational portfolio, Franklin Homeschool Services and My Portfolio Page are the perfect solutions for you. With their user-friendly online transcript platform, comprehensive services, and commitment to supporting homeschooling families, Enid and Brittany have revolutionized the way we document and showcase our homeschooling achievements.

How To Connect With Franklin Homeschool Services and My Portfolio Page

Remember, the journey of homeschooling is made easier when you have the right tools and support. Explore Franklin Homeschool Services and My Portfolio Page today and take your homeschooling experience to new heights!

For more on what to include on your homeschool transcripts and all the transcript details, check out these resources:

Thank you to Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

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Special Replay: Rethinking College

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
April 21, 2023 by Leave a Comment

But whether you and/or your student have a clear plan or not, CLEP-ing out of their gen-eds is always the wisest way to go. Rethinking College

Welcome to this episode of Life Skills 101! This week the topic of this podcast is Rethinking College.

With the rising cost of college, it’s important for parents to take time to evaluate with their students, the academic, financial and world view Return on their Investment (ROI) of college costs and debt. The average college graduate (does not include students who do not graduate but still have debt), takes 6 years, not 4 to graduate, with an average of over $35,000 in debt

A college degree is no longer necessary for a rewarding career or to ensure an upwardly mobile life-style. In fact, crippling college debt can make the American Dream an impossibility!

As parents, how do we guide and direct our young adults as they plan for the future?

In this episode, we explore ways that students can get a head start on college, by starting by taking CLEP or  Dual Enrollment courses, specifically targeting Gen Ed Courses.

General Education Requirements:

    • 6 credits of English.
    • 3-6 of Math
    • 3-9 of Science
    • 3-6 of Social Science
    • 3-6 of Diversity
    • You can get an associate’s or even a bachelor’s from the Big Three of the CLEP world. These are
      • Thomas Edison
      • Excelsior
      • Charter Oaks

It makes good sense for young adults to learn how to navigate the digital world. Starting an online business in high school can set them up for future success; setting up an online educational business is even better as the online education market is estimated to be an over $350 billion dollar market by 2025.

Students should consider what kind of lifestyle do they want to have as adults and work backwards from there. What kind of training, income and skills will they need to attain that? The future will demand that our young adults have Critical Thinking Skills, Adaptability and Flexibility and the ability to Collaborate.

Below are resources offered by True North to help families navigate the rapidly changing world of college.

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Assigning Grades for Homeschool High School Transcripts: Special Replay

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March 14, 2023 by Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Assigning Grades for Homeschool High School Transcripts.

Assigning Grades for High School Transcripts

Assigning Grades for Homeschool High School Transcripts

Homeschooling gets serious when our teens hit high school! No more simply learning for the love of learning. Rather, our high schoolers can still love learning but there must definitely be grades because there must also be a transcript!

Many of us homeschooling moms never assigned grades in elementary or middle school. We wanted our kids to learn to love education and not be pressured by grades. However, in homeschool high school, we need to doing some special training:

  • For perfectionistic teens on what a stopping point is. What is GOOD ENOUGH…and learn to stop there!
  • Also, for teens who do not care at all about grades: learning to discipline themselves. What is GOOD ENOUGH for them? (Then work on school assignments until reaching good enough.)
  • Us moms who are too soft or too hard on their teens how to stick to guidelines. Assigning grades helps both our teens and ourselves develop self-discipline!
    • Self-discipline is the key for successful grading.
    • AND self-discipline is a necessary life skill.

SO, grading is serious but it is also helpful! How can we homeschool moms manage grading homeschool high schoolers? In this episode, we share some thoughts about assigning grades for homeschool high schoolers.

Follow Sabrina’s Guideline: Good grading comes from goals

Good planning for your homeschool high schoolers helps you clarify goals (for high school overall and for each course). Clear goals make grading easier!

Make a formula that takes in the goals for each course for each student, including:

  • Effort
  • Mastery
  • Cooperation with peers (in a group class or co-op class)

Remember: You set the goals for your teens. There’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school- or to set goals for a course! If you would like suggestions: check out this episode of Homeschool Highschool Podcast where we discuss goals and grading of writing in high school.

BTW- One way to help set goals for each homeschool high school course is to create a course description. Course descriptions are brief but detailed descriptions of your homeschool high schoolers’ courses. There are lots of details on how to create course descriptions in this post.

Create a rubric for grading.

Rubrics can be enormously helpful when grading. Rubrics help homeschool parents know WHAT to grade. Not only that, but rubrics also help students know what is expected of them. Rubrics are adaptable to any different course or assignment. Start with your goals, then decide what and how to grade.

Explain the rubric to the homeschool high schoolers so that they know what is expected and what will be graded.

Use rubrics, especially in courses that include writing, projects or labs. (Also, avail your teen of the peer review process if you have a co-op class.)

  • In concrete courses like math, you simply need to explain the grading process.
    • % of grade that comes from tests
    • % of grade that comes from daily assignments
    • % of grade that comes from attitude
    • Explain to teens that they will experience *subjective points* occasionally in co-op classes and in college
  • Homeschool moms have the right to adapt rubrics in textbooks for their goals.

For more on rubrics, check out these posts:

For more on assigning grades for homeschool high schoolers, check out these posts:

Join Sabrina, Vicki and Kym for an informative chat about grading homeschool high schoolers.

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Credits and Transcripts

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
February 15, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Lisa Nehring, demystifies high school Credits and Transcripts so that you can confidently move forward with homeschooling High School!Credits and Transcripts

True North Homeschool Academy Director Lisa Nehring, demystifies high school Credits and Transcripts so that you can confidently move forward with homeschooling High School!

Credits are based on Carnegie Units

High School credits are based on both time and rigor.

Career Exploration for Homeschool students blog post

Special Needs Homeschool Credits and Transcripts blog post

Career Exploration Summer Bootcamp

Career Exploration full year class

True North Homeschool Academy Academic Advising

Everything you need to know about Credits, Transcripts and Testing with usable worksheets: Survive Homeschooling High school E-book,

FREE Log Sheets to track PE, Music, Community Service and Work Experience

How to get started with Homeschooling? FB short

Getting Started Homeschooling with FREE printables

FREE 5 Tips for Homeschooling through High School

 

Check out our most popular podcast series

Communication:

 

Authentic Values Series

JOIN our online community with others headed True North!

Hear Lisa speak in person at the Great Homeschool Conventions in SC, OH and TX! She’ll be talking about the Future Proof Your Kids Towards Success and Credits, Transcripts and Tests, Oh My!

Marketable Skills Classes at True North 

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Special Replay: What Are Levels in Homeschool High School?

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January 11, 2022 by Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast we have a special replay of a very useful episode: What Are Levels in Homeschool High School?

What Are Levels on the Homeschool Transcript?

 

What Are Levels in Homeschool High School?

If you have a college-bound teen and want to give them a boost on their transcript, this episode is for you. Sabrina, Vicki and Kym will explain how to help your teens explain to colleges the level of rigor at which they have done their high school courses!

What are levels in homeschool high school?

Many moms tell us: “We didn’t have levels on transcripts when WE were in high school!”

That is so very true….BUT levels have come into vogue on high school transcripts (in traditional high schools and in homeschool high schools). Colleges want to know:

  • The level of rigor at which a teen’s core courses were completed.
  • How teens have invested in courses in their areas of strength, giftedness or interest. (These will sparkle more on the transcript if they are academically rigorous and provide opportunities for stretch.)

Your teens can show this academic rigor and stretch by recording the level at which they completed their courses.

Here is a brief explanation of levels and some links to help.

Before we start, remember: There’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school…or to handle transcripts. This is simply how we have done it with our homeschoolers (and the homeschoolers we advised for decades in our local umbrella school).

With that in mind, here is an overview of our way to show rigor on the transcript. We do not show this on all courses, just the core courses and the specialty courses and electives that our teens have strongly invested in.

Here is a basic overview of the five different levels

Level 1: Remedial

These are courses for teens with learning issues who cannot do average high school course work. These courses are completed using materials and experiences that are appropriate for the teen. Teens earn credit using Carnegie credit hours and earn a transcript and a high school diploma that should be noted: Developmental Diploma. Still valid and useful.

Level 2: Average

Most high schoolers are average. Don’t harbor guilt trips because your teens are average! God gave everyone varying gifts, average academians are just fine.

Average high school textbooks have shorter chapters than the College Prep textbooks, with simpler vocabulary, short problem sets and short reviews. Homeschool high schoolers can work on courses at average level in areas where this is appropriate. They earn credit for their courses and transcripts show: Level 2 beside the name of the course.

Level 3: College Preparatory

Most high school textbooks are written at College Prep level. There is some rigor but not at stay-up-all-night-working-level for most teens. Record these courses on the transcript as *Level 3*.

Level 4: Advanced

Advanced courses are rigorous. They look attractive to college admissions officers. Level 4 course credit is earn by completing a College Prep course PLUS .5 credit again, combined for ONE credit. This should be rigorous and an academic stretch. Record these with *Level 4* beside the course name on the homeschool transcript. Be sure to include a key or legend on the transcript that briefly explains how the level was earned.

Level 5: Honors, AP, College Courses

These are very rigorous courses. Level 5 courses are College prep course DOUBLED for ONE credit. Students who complete an AP course are doing Level 5 work. College courses are Level 5. Do not just double the textbook, you can mix textbooks and logging Carnegie hours and reading real books. Check out this post with more information on ways to level-up in a meaningful way.

Be sure on the homeschool transcript, you include a key that explains how levels are earned in your high schoolers courses. Here is a sample:

7Sisters sample transcript

For more help, download 7Sisters Guide for How to Create Homeschool Transcripts. It includes lots of in-depth how-tos and an editable transcript template!

7SistersHomeschool.com’s curriculum is design to be easily level-able and has been vetted for years by homeschool high schoolers. Check out the Literature Study Guides, Writing Guides, Psychology, Financial Literacy, World History, Human Development curricula and get busy leveling for the rigor that is appropriate for your teen.

Join Sabrina, Vicki and Kym for a helpful discussion of levels on the homeschool transcript.

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What Are Levels in Homeschool High School

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Special Replay: How to Get Homeschool Transcripts Exactly Right

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
January 3, 2022 by Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast, a special replay: How to Get Homeschool Transcripts Exactly Right!

How to Get Homeschool Transcripts Exactly Right

How to Get Homeschool Transcripts Exactly Right

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast we are talking transcripts. Actually, we are RE-talking transcripts. This is an episode we did four years ago (can you believe it?!) However, we have been receiving requests for this same information, so we decided to reshare.

As you know, Sabrina, Vicki and Kym have seen their twenty-six kids through homeschool graduation. In fact, the 7Sisters have not only graduated their kids, but through their umbrella school (where 7Sister Vicki and Marilyn have served as academic advisors), they have helped hundreds of teens graduate and head successfully into adulthood.

So, they know a lot about homeschooling high school and creating great transcripts!

Do you want to know how to get homeschool transcripts exactly right?  Do you fear that it is one right way or else? Well, we have good news for you! There’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school and there’s not ONE right have to handle transcripts.

However, transcripts are important so here is how we do our transcripts!

Transcripts are important for all homeschool high schoolers. College-bound teens need a good transcript to get into college. Even teens who are not college-bound will often need to show a transcript for trade schools or the military (and sometimes for new jobs). We love to share the things we have learned learned about successful transcript creation. (And even more transcript information in this post in our Authoritative Guide series).

Why are transcripts important?

Transcripts are proof that education happened. (Our culture believes that if there is not a record on paper that something happened, it did not happen.) They open doors for college and career. (And it is fun to keep a record for yourself about what a great job you and your high schoolers have done.)

There is not really a magical formula or necessary downloadable form from your state government that you must fill out. You must create your own. However, there are many templates available. For instance, 7SistersHomeschool has an editable transcript form along with a detailed guide about what to include.

There’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school…OR complete a transcript.

However, these tips are a good place to start.

On the transcript include:

7Sisters sample transcript

Suggestions that will really help!

Should you do a year-by-year transcript or a subject-based transcript?

As always, we 7Sisters believe there’s not ONE right way to handle transcripts. However, one thing to think about is that many college admissions officers are used to thinking in the traditional year-by-year format. Therefore, if you have a yearly transcript rather than subject oriented transcript, you might make their job easier.

So, that’s how you do get the homeschool high school transcript exactly right, with the the exactly ONE right formula…Oh, right! There’s not ONE right way to do a homeschool transcript. These are simply the tools that we have used over the years on the transcripts of our own kids and the hundreds of homeschool high schoolers in our local umbrella school who have graduated and gone on successfully to the next phase of life. Adapt our information and ideas to your teens’ needs! Let us know your ideas.

Join Sabrina, Vicki and Kym for this informative episode.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER

  1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page.
  2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on 
    1. View in “…your favorite podcast source”
  3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page.
  4. Click SUBSCRIBE.
  5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!)
  6. Thanks!

OR PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE

  1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone
  2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen
  3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast
  4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon
  5. Tap *Subscribe*
  6. Please tap *Ratings and Review*

How to Get Homeschool Transcripts Exactly Right

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Ten Tips for Terrific Transcripts

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
September 14, 2021 by Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Ten Terrific Tips for Transcripts.

Ten Tips for a Terrific Transcript

Ten Tips for Terrific Transcripts

Transcripts are vitally important as record of all the work your homeschool high schoolers have done. Who needs need a high school transcript:

  • Homeschool graduates who want to serve in the military (check out this interview with a military recruiter)
  • Non-college-bound homeschool graduates who will be going into the workforce. (Most employers do not ask to see your teens’ transcript, but it does happen occasionally.)
  • College-bound homeschool graduates

    How to Create a High School Transcript. Create meaningful transcripts with this editable PDF transcript, course checklist and detailed guide.

    Click image for full description.

BTW- 7Sisters has a transcript kit that includes an editable template and detailed instructions.

So if your teen needs a transcript, it might as well be the most advantageous transcript you can produce. With that in mind, here are ten tips for a terrific transcript!

Remember, there’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school. Also, there’s not ONE right way to create a transcript. So, do what is best for you and your teens.

Transcript Tip #1

You need it. You may not be required by homeschool law to produce a transcript, but your teen will likely need it at some point.

In my years as the upperclass advisor for our local umbrella school, I found that transcripts can be important years after graduating from high school.

  • I remember one graduate school insisting that one of our graduates produce her high school transcript, even though she had just graduated with her undergraduate degree from a four-year college.
  • Another young man was required to produce his high school transcript for a new job years after homeschool graduation.

Transcript Tip #2

It should be easy to read. As we have often noted: there is not a standardized format that your homeschoolers’ transcripts need to follow. However, the most useful transcripts are easy to scan quickly to get an idea of who your teens are.

Transcript Tip #3

Start in ninth grade. You will thank me for this tip. Can you imagine getting to senior year and needing to dig through years of portfolios and crates and boxes, trying to piece together a transcript? (We have had to help a few homeschoolers do that. While we made it happen, it’s tough.)

You don’t need that stress. Go ahead. Start in ninth grade!

The cool thing, as you watch that transcript develop year to year, you and your teens will feel SO proud of what they are accomplishing. As the transcript builds each year, teens can really feel proud of their successes.

Start the transcript in the 9th Grade

Transcript Tip #4

Keep the format consistent year to year, especially the order of the courses your teen completes. Take for instance:

  • List English/Language Arts first each year
  • Then list Math next each year
  • After that list Science
  • Then list History

You do not need to follow this format, per se, but do order the courses. That way admissions officer, military recruiter or human resources personnel can quickly scan to make sure your teen accomplished all they needed to in high school.

Also, choose the titles for the courses wisely. Here’s a post to help you choose the names for courses.

Transcript Tip #5

Show the level of rigor your homeschool high schooler worked at for each core course:

  • English/Language Arts
  • Math
  • Science
  • Social Studies

Levels can be used for other courses also.

Simply record the level of rigor right next to the course title on the homeschool transcript. For instance:

  • Level 1: Remedial
  • Level 2: Average high school
  • Level 3: College prep
  • Level 4: Advanced
  • Level 5: Honors

Check this post for details on levels on a transcript.

This lets colleges or military recruiters know that your teen can handle rigorous academics.

Transcript Tip #6

Include a legend or key on the transcript. Because there is no standardized format for Levels, you will need to include a key or legend on the transcript to explain how the levels are earned.

Transcript Tip #7

Have a GPA recorded on the homeschool transcript. Decide whether you want that GPA:

  • Weighted or
  • Unweighted

For instance, a weighted GPA might be greater than 4.0 to reward teens for their hard work. On the other hand, when applying to colleges, the GPA tends to undo the weighting so that they can compare student to student.

Transcript Tip #8

Include testing scores. If your teen is taking SAT or ACT, it is good to include those scores on the transcript.

Although teens often are often asked these scores as part of their college applications, it is good to have them on the transcript also. That’s because of the “skimmers”. In other words, having the testing scores on the transcript helps admissions officers skim the transcript and turn up LOTS of good information.

Transcript Tip #9

Include extracurricular activities and competitions on the transcript. This is so beneficial for teens who participate in chosen activities for a couple of years in a row. It makes the transcript look so powerful.

Also, include service hours on the transcript. Volunteering shows strength of character and willingness to be involved in the community. Not only that, but these projects helps them when they build their experiential resume.

It is also good for nostalgia when your teens are grown and on their own. You and they can look back and remember all the cool things they did!

Transcript Tip #10

Make sure you include identifying information for your teen. (This seems so obvious, but hey, we are homeschoolers and our kids don’t have to put their names on papers. In the same way, it is easy for us to forget all the important identifying information on the transcript.)

Include this information at the top of the transcript:

  • Student’s full name
  • Complete address
  • Email address
  • Your homeschool’s name or the word “Homeschool” at the top. (This is optional.)

This distinguishes your teen from other applicants with similar names.

These tips are tips that have worked for us and our advisees. Remember: there’s not ONE right way to build a transcript so do what is best for you and yours.

Want more support?

Check out

And for more homeschool support, check out our sister podcasts right here on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network:

Join Vicki for encouragement and tips for terrific transcripts!

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A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor:  Show Me The Father Movie

The Kendrick Brothers, creators of WAR ROOM and FIREPROOF, have some exciting news to share: they have TWO films coming to theaters this fall—SHOW ME THE FATHER on September 10 and COURAGEOUS Legacy on September 24.

Featuring a variety of amazing, true stories, the Kendrick Brothers’ new feature film SHOW ME THE FATHER takes audiences on an inspiring and emotional cinematic journey. Their first documentary film has something for everyone and invites you to think differently about how you view your earthly father story and also how you personally relate to God.

Check out the trailer here!

 

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What to Include on Homeschool Transcripts

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
November 17, 2020 by Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: What to Include on Homeschool Transcripts.

What to Include on Homeschool Transcripts

What to Include on Homeschool Transcripts

The most common questions we receive about homeschooling high school are about transcripts. We understand. Transcripts are important! They are the key to getting into college and are proof that high school actually did happen! So Vicki decided to chat with all of you, our 7th Sisters, about what to include on the transcripts.

BTW- Before we even get started, we want to remind you that 7SistersHomeschool.com has an editable transcript template with a complete how-to guide in our estore for your instant download! There are also oodles of posts at 7Sisters, including the popular Authoritative Guide to Homeschool Transcripts. Check them out by searching “transcripts” in the search bar!

First thing, why should you give your teen a homeschool transcript?

We know that a number of states do not require homeschooling parents to issue a transcript. In those states you are totally allowed to say, “Hey, you’re done! Congratulations,” and then move on with the rest of life without a transcript.

However, if you can, we have heard a number of stories about grownups who needed a high school transcript:

  • Upon applying to college after being in the workforce for a few years
  • Upon entering graduate school, even though a local college had not required it for undergraduate studies
  • Upon applying for a significant career-change job

So, you can be gracious and kind to your homeschool high schoolers to keep a transcript throughout high school, then issue a completed transcript when they graduate. Years later, they may come back and thank you.

A wise woman keeps up with the transcript, starting in 9th grade!

Now, what do you include on homeschool transcripts?

You do not need to have a highly polished, professional-looking transcript, just get something. Here’s what to put on the transcript.

At the top of your transcript:

  • Your homeschool’s name, or simply the words “High School Transcript”.
  • Your student’s full name
  • Your student’s date of birth
  • Your address

Sections for each of the four years of high school:

  • Grade and year (9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade) along with the actual school year for that grade (for example: 9/2020-6/2021)
  • Courses taken that year, starting with the core courses: English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Phys Ed, Fine Arts, all the Electives that year
    • Be sure to use the specific course title, (for example: One year for ELA your teen may take American Literature, so use “American Literature” for the course title)
  • Note that homeschoolers will often have more credits (particularly electives) than their traditionally-schooled peers. That is because we believe that all of life is education, so we include all valuable learning experiences.
  • How do you know if your teen has earned a credit? Check out posts on earning credits at 7SistersHomeschool.com.
  • Beside the title of the course, record the

Summary of courses (optional):

  • This is a grid that shows that the core courses were taken each year and the electives that were recorded each year

At the bottom of the transcript, list extracurriculars:

  • List the extracurricular activity (sport, community work, clubs, etc) along with the years involved
  • Some colleges want to see long-term engagements and community mindedness

At the bottom of transcript, list competitions:

At the bottom of the transcript, record GPA:

  • For instructions on determining GPA, check out this post.
  • Do you weight GPA’s? We don’t. We have found that colleges have formulas that make the weighting of applicants’ GPAs the same across the board.
  • Remember: You cannot use the name “AP” for a course unless it is a College Board approved course.

At the bottom of the transcript, record the date of graduation.

Join 7SistersHomeschool Facebook group for more homeschool high school support (also our friend Ann Karako has an amazing Facebook group).

Homeschool high school: You CAN do it! Homeschool high school transcript: YOU can do it!

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  1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page.
  2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in “…your favorite podcast source”
  3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page.
  4. Click SUBSCRIBE.
  5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!)
  6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE

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  5. Tap *Subscribe*
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What to Include on Homeschool Transcripts

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How to Create Music Appreciation Credit for Transcripts

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May 5, 2020 by Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How to Create Music Appreciation Credit for Transcripts.

How to Create Music Appreciation Credit for Transcripts. Homeschool high schoolers need a Fine Arts credit. What if they are not artsy?Try Gena Mayo's tips.

 

How to Create Music Appreciation Credit for Transcripts

Most homeschool high schoolers need a Fine Arts credit for graduation. That is easy for teens who have interest in the arts. But, what if they are not artsy? That’s where arts appreciation credits come in. In this episode Vicki is joined by our friend, Gena Mayo, of Music in Our Homeschool. She is going to share a simple way to create a Music Appreciation credit for the homeschool transcript.

Gena is one of 7Sisters old-time homeschool friends. When we first started out, we met Gena at our favorite conference (2:1 Conference). She coached us along and gave us encouragement and practical tips for blogging and digital business-running. So, as we got to thinking about the stress that our non-artsy friends feel when they need to help their homeschool high schoolers earn that Fine Arts credit, we turned to Gena.

Art Appreciation credits, simply put, are credits that introduce students to the ideas of one or more art forms. Arts Appreciation credits can cover just about anything that helps your teens appreciate that art. Homeschool high schoolers could earn different Arts Appreciation credits:

  • Music Appreciation
  • Visual Art Appreciation
  • Drama Appreciation, including Drama Camp
  • Dance Appreciation

What else would you add to that list?

Photo used with permission

Gena Mayo is an expert in music credits. That’s why it is so wonderful to have her with us to discuss Music Appreciation credits.  She studied Music Education in college and taught Music in traditional schools for five years. When she and her husband started their family, they decided to homeschool. They now have eight children (two in college, two in high school, two in middle school, two in elementary).

Gena started teaching Music Appreciation in her homeschool co-op. The kids were learning 20th Century History. Gena knew that music was integral to understanding the culture and happenings of that time. She eventually turned that co-op course into an online course which your teens can experience today.

She realized that music is actually important to each time in history so she expanded her course offerings on Music in Our Homeschool to other time periods.

SO how does Gena suggest easily earning a Music Appreciation credit for transcripts?

Let’s go with Music in Our Homeschool because it is self-paced, independent learning for teens (and teens actually like it):

Middle Ages through Classical Era (500-1799 AD)

  • 18 weeks for one semester

Romantic Era Music (1800’s)

  • 36 lessons

20th Century Music

  • 36 lessons

Each course:

  • Can be completed:
    • One lesson per week through year
    • Or two lessons per week through a semester
  • Discusses composers who were influential in each era.
  • Includes inks to videos so teens can see professional performances of each musical piece.
  • Gives suggestions for activities (choose the best-fit activity for your teen’s needs, abilities):
    • Special writing and reading assignments
    • Other ideas

Your homeschool high schoolers could earn up to a full credit for 20th Century or Romantic Era, if they log their hours and listen to all the music.

  • They can pare things down and do brief overviews and simply log hours until they meet state’s requirements for a credit.
  • (It is always good to log hours to keep that paper trail for earning credits. Check out this post for proving your credits mean something on the homeschool transcript.)

Music Appreciation like this can be integrated into your homeschool high schoolers’ History credits (check out our Homeschool Highschool Podcast episode on Combining Credits).

  • If your family or co-op is studying 20th Century History, have your high schoolers do the 20 Century Music Appreciation course. Log the hours for History and/or Music Appreciation.
  • If your family or co-op is studying World History, add Middle Ages through Classical Era Music Appreciation and Romantic Era Music Appreciation. Again, log the hours for History and/or Music Appreciation.

Music Appreciation credits can ignite teens' love of music

What else can be included in Music credits (added to Music Appreciation credit hours or separately listed on the homeschool transcript)?

  • Log hours for these to decide whether your teens earned .25, .5 or 1 credit each.
    • Music Theory
    • Private Music Lessons (Voice, Instrument)
    • Musical Theater
  • Sometimes when teens are exposed to Music Appreciation, they want to explore more musical topics. Sometimes they will carry that into life, such as:
    • Singing or playing instruments in church or community choirs and bands
    • Singing or playing music in groups at college

Ready to get started?

Check out Gena’s many, many courses, including some freebies. (Even moms sign up and take her courses for fun.)

Use the coupon code: 7Sisters

  • for a 20% discount through August 31, 2020!

You can find Gena at:

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER

  1. Follow this link to our iTunes page.
  2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes
  3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page.
  4. Click SUBSCRIBE.
  5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!)
  6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE

  1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone
  2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen
  3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast
  4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon
  5. Tap *Subscribe*
  6. Please tap *Ratings and Review*

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Create Powerful Homeschool Transcripts by Combining Credits

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
April 28, 2020 by Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Powerful Homeschool Transcripts by Combining Credits.

Create Powerful Homeschool Transcripts by Combining Credits. Use integrated-learning style combined credits to build a college-attractive transcript.

Create Powerful Homeschool Transcripts by Combining Credits

One of the ways to build a college-attractive transcript is to develop credits that have what college admissions officers call “sparkle” or “pop”. These are credits that show that your homeschool high schooler has worked on exploring interests and developing talents.

We at 7Sisters help our teens develop some sparkle on their homeschool transcripts by combining credits. (You might call it “integrated learning” or even high-school level unit studies.) Join Vicki today as she give an example of some ways one of her homeschool high schoolers combined credits for a powerful transcript.

Vicki’s youngest son, Seth, has graduated from high school now, but when he was a teen, he was part of his church’s worship team. He played guitar, sang and sometimes, led worship. As adolescents will do, he asked probing questions like:

  • Why do we sing the kinds of songs we sing at our non-denominational church?
  • Why do some churches have different kinds of music? Some have hymns with organ and piano. Some sing a cappella hymns…or chants.
  • What’s the right kind of music?
  • How did we get to this kind of music?

Asking questions is a developmentally appropriate part of adolescents (have your teen take a Human Development course to understand this). So we leaned into his questions by spending several years exploring:

  • His Christian faith
  • The history of Christian music
  • The theory and skills of music

We integrated many of Seth’s high school courses around his Christian Music questions (since these questions defined his interests).

There's not just ONE way to create meaningful credits for a powerful transcript.

We have done this concept of combining credits (or integrated learning) in our other classes.

For instance, I had a goal of developing thinking skills in my homeschool high schoolers, so wanted them to learn Philosophy.

A simple Life Skills elective by combining credits that several of my homeschool high schoolers completed:

Check these other ways we have combined credits with our homeschool high schoolers.

BTW- How did it all turn out? Seth is a college graduate now, works as an elementary school’s music teacher and leads worship at his church.

Join Vicki for an informative episode on Combining Credits. And while you are at it, 7SistersHomeschool Facebook group is a great place to join and ask questions. SO would you join us there, too?

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER

  1. Follow this link to our iTunes page.
  2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes
  3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page.
  4. Click SUBSCRIBE.
  5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!)
  6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE

  1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone
  2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen
  3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast
  4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon
  5. Tap *Subscribe*
  6. Please tap *Ratings and Review*

Powerful Homeschool Transcripts by Combining Credits

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