Last Updated on December 5, 2024 by Sarah McCubbin
One of the most common questions parents ask when they begin homeschooling is about homeschool records. From report cards to a high school transcript, good records capture the highlights of what your student has learned.
When I first started homeschooling, my oldest son was 5 years old. And then I blinked and he was going into 7th grade. Thankfully, another homeschool mom had offered to teach us younger moms about the importance of keeping records for the high school years. She said it was actually a good idea to start our records in middle school if our students were doing high school level work. She brought her student’s course descriptions and transcripts and walked us through how we could map our a plan for our middle and high schoolers.
It was like having an expert hold my hand to have another mom walk me through the process. I don’t think I actually did start that transcript in 7th grade. But that year my son did take a class or two that we would count toward graduation. It was the same in eighth grade. Having a systematic plan to follow made basic homeschool recordkeeping doable.
However…and this is a big however…my entire transcript was a cut and paste experience.
I had to find the template. I had to format it…and fix it when it was messed up. I had to write all the course descriptions and format them. I could go on. And then I had to figure out how to submit it to the universities he applied to because I had a PDF and they prefer transcripts be submitted through Parchment.
It took a LOT OF TIME to create a transcript from scratch.
When I had the chance to review Homeschool Records, I was eager to do so. Having done transcripts the “regular way, ” I wanted to see what the pros and cons of using a software were compared to my old school methods.
I did receive a copy of the software to use and a small compensation. My opinions are entirely my own.
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Create Report Cards, Transcripts, Attendance Records and Resumes With a Few Clicks
There is an easier way to keep homeschool records. What if you could simply sit down in front of your computer and fill in simple prompts and have your child’s records created with a few clicks.
Recently, I had the chance to use an amazing software called Homeschool Records and it does ALL of this.
Using a step by step process, you will enter courses your child has taken. You can start in middle school…or you can do it all their Senior year. Create full records at any stage in your student’s journey.
Every parent of a homeschooled high school student will want to create transcripts as a final record of their learning. But there are many other records you can create that your student may need.
Homeschool Records Can Create the Following Reports:
- Report card
- Course Descriptions
- Homeschool Portfolio
- Transcript
- Homeschool Attendance Records
- Student Resumes (records of all the extracurricular activities)
- Reading logs
- Hours of Instruction
- and more!
When your student finishes high school, you want them to be prepared for whatever is next. Whether they plan to go into college, a trade, the military or something else, you will have the records they need for the next step.
You are giving a gift to your future self when you prioritize records while your student is still in school.
Creating a transcript can feel like work, but it is much easier now than trying to create it retroactively at some point in the future.
In my many years of homeschooling, I would say that poor homeschool record keeping causes the of the biggest sources of frustration for young adults who were homeschooled. Their parents didn’t keep records or work samples and now their future opportunities are limited.
HomeschoolRecords.com Saves Time (And They Say Time is Money!)
As a mom who has graduated a few kids, I will tell you that the most stressful way to create records is when they are due…tomorrow…or at some other point in the very near future. But moms are busy. It is so easy to put off creating a transcript.
I think creating a transcript feels the most daunting because most of us only do it a few times…maybe…and that is hardly enough to qualify anyone as an expert. I’ve created transcripts several times and helped friends too…but I always have to double check what I’m doing because it’s not something any of us do reguarly.
When you login to HomeschoolRecords.com, you are immediately prompted to enter your student’s info. This helps identify anticipated year of graduation and the years they are earning credits. It takes a few minutes to enter their information. There is a short intro video explaining each step of the process so there is no confusion at any point.
If you sign up with Homeschool Records when your son or daughter begins high school, you can expect to spend maybe an hour or two per school year TOTAL adding courses for different subject areas, descriptions, book lists, jobs, volunteer work and more. It would be something you do at the beginning and end of the year for the most part. Consider it part of your lesson plans. (Obviously if you are recording on the attendance sheet, then you would do that regularly.)
If you are doing this during their Senior year, I would expect the process of adding information to take several hours or more depending on how thorough your records will be. I remember when I made my sons transcript. I went back through all the old co-op class descriptions and other outside classes he took…copying and pasting into my transcript. Then I went through textbooks and other resources. It took me several days to piece it all together.
However…even if you are doing it during the Senior year, you can easily create a simple transcript quickly and then add more detail if time allows.
Simple Steps to Use Homeschool Records
Before you begin adding adding records, I highly recommend gathering up a list of the curriculum you have used. In addition, make a list of extracurriculars they have done and any books they have read…including outside experiences, summer programs, volunteering, mission and field trips. All of this can be helpful in making thorough records.
Here are My Best Tips on Simple Steps to Follow:
1. Enter your students name and basic information.
2. Choose the kinds of records you want to create (all records are optional. You can select and deselect options so they don’t show up on your dashboard).
3. Choose the record you want to create
4. Select the grade it applies to
5. Enter the information for your course, attendance, volunteer hours, reading etc.
You can use homeschool records as a regular accessory to your homeschool planner or you can use it at crunch time to create the records you need all at one time.
HomeschoolRecords.com is a tool rather than a curriculum, it is designed to support diverse homeschooling methods, including classical, Montessori, unschooling, and more. Its flexible structure allows parents to tailor the software to their unique teaching approach and homeschool styles.
Pros and Cons of Using HomeschoolRecords.com
Pros:
- Short videos to explain each step of the process.
- User-Friendly Platform: You don’t need tech skills to use this program
- Great Customer Service: I had a question or two and someone replied quickly.
- Cloud-Based: Access records from anywhere, anytime, with automatic backups to prevent data loss.
- Customizable: Adaptable to various homeschooling styles and needs, allowing for personalized record-keeping.
- Automated Reporting: Generates compliance-ready reports for state requirements and college admissions officers.
Cons:
- Learning Curve: While the interface is user-friendly, but there is a short learning curve. If you want to start and finish your transcript right after buying, it might feel difficult to use. Give yourself a few days to enter everything and make adjustments as needed.
- Internet Dependence: As an online tool, it requires a reliable internet connection, which may be a limitation for some users.
- Subscription based: There is an annual fee instead of one time purchase. If you start your records in this interface, plan to continue through graduation for record continuity.
For both parents and homeschooled students, the software is designed to be straightforward. The dashboard provides a clear overview of all records, making it easy to track progress and manage daily tasks. While primarily a tool for parents, older students, particularly those in high school, can also engage with the software to track their progress and stay organized, promoting a sense of responsibility and independence. HomeschoolRecords.com is highly adaptable to different learning styles and needs. Whether you follow a structured curriculum or a more eclectic approach, the software can be customized to fit your homeschooling strategy.
The Importance of High School Records
When homeschool parents are navigating the high school years, it is so important for a teen’s future that they have the documents they need for their next step. Our records do not need to be fancy. If you have ever looked at a public school transcript, it is often quite basic. The goal of that document is to explain to the next school or opportunity what foundational learning your student has under their belt and what course of study that have already undertaken.
One of the things I appreciate about Homeschool Records is that they are written in a way that mimics academic records that traditional school district documents are written. I have interacted with too many homeschoolers who are now in their twenties (or older) but their parents did not create a transcript for them. They are stuck. It’s hard to go back and create records. In some cases, their only option is to get a GED.
If parents have taken years to diligently educate their kids, they absolutely should take time to create accurate records as an important part of completing their home education journey.
For more a free trial, be sure to visit Homeschool Records!
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