Episode Sponsors: CTC Math and Great Homeschool Conventions
🎧 Episode Description (Show Notes)
In this episode of It’s Not That Hard to Homeschool, veteran homeschool educator Lisa Nehring (of True North Academy) breaks down one of the most confusing parts of homeschooling high school: credits and transcripts.
If you’ve ever wondered:
- How do I calculate a high school credit?
- What goes on a transcript (and what doesn’t)?
- How do I make my teen’s homeschool transcript look “official”?
—then you’re in the right place.
Lisa shares her 20+ years of experience helping homeschool families around the world prepare transcripts that open doors — to college, military service, conservatories, and scholarships. She covers how to:
✅ Track and calculate credits using Carnegie units
✅ Weigh courses like Honors, AP, and Dual Enrollment
✅ Organize your transcript by year or subject
✅ Include extracurriculars, service hours, and awards
✅ Use addendum pages strategically for standout accomplishments
She also gives insider tips from her years reviewing transcripts in higher education and explains how to create a transcript that tells the story of your student’s achievements — the kind that admissions officers love to read.
🎯 Spoiler: It’s not rocket science — but you do need to dot your i’s and cross your t’s!
📚 Mentioned in This Episode
- True North Academy – Live online classes, advising, and resources for homeschool families.
- Homeschool Transcript Template (Fillable PDF) – Easy-to-use transcript form for homeschoolers.
- Book: Survive Homeschool High School by Lisa Nehring – Includes printable forms and transcript tools.
💡 Key Takeaways
- A credit = 120 hours of work (Carnegie unit). Half credit = 60 hours.
- Include classwork, reading, projects, tests, and competitions in your time log.
- It’s legal (and normal!) for homeschool parents to issue transcripts.
- There are three main transcript types: Academic (21 credits), College Prep (24), and Honors (28).
- Don’t forget the addendum sheet to highlight community service, awards, and special achievements.
🧾 Related Resource
👉 Download the Homeschool High School Transcript Template — a fillable, professional PDF that helps you track credits and calculate GPA correctly.
Get it here: Homeschool Transcript Template PDF
Ready to feel confident about record keeping?
🎓 Download your Homeschool Transcript Template and join the It’s Not That Hard to Homeschool groups for support and free workshops. Be sure to check out the ebook: For The Record
Lisa Nehring and her husband, Dr. David Nehring, a Clinical Psychologist, and Biblical Scholar speak together on a wide variety of topics, including education, classical education, vision, mission, parenting, marriage, and more.
- How to Create Homeschool High School Credits & Transcripts (Step-by-Step Guide) - October 29, 2025
- The A-B-C’s of Choosing Curriculum - October 27, 2025
- Dual Degree for Homeschoolers: Earn College + High School Credit - October 15, 2025
