FAQs

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Your subscription is automatically renewed unless we receive a request to cancel renewal. If you have requested cancellation and would like to continue, email us at [email protected].

If you are with a group, the admin of your group will need to communicate with us directly through their admin portal.

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If you can’t remember your password to log in:

1. Go to the Login Page: Navigate to the login page of the site.
2. Request a New Password: Look for and click on the "Forgot Password" or "Reset Password" link.
3. Follow Instructions: Follow the instructions provided to reset your password and regain access.

This will guide you through the process of recovering your account.

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Your ID Card will be available as a downloadable image.
You can print it at home or take it to a print shop for professional printing.

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You can have your ID card laminated at a print shop if you don’t have a laminating machine.

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A school logo is optional.
There is a space for a logo on the ID card, but it can be left blank if preferred.

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Naming your school can enhance the validity of your ID card.

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Elementary and Middle School Transcripts are created in the same format as high school transcripts. When generating a transcript, you can select the specific year or years for which you want to create the transcript by clicking "Generate Transcript."

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The transcript you generate will create a downloadable PDF document.
You can share the PDF via email, upload it to application portals, or use a transcript service when sending it to schools or colleges.

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An official homeschool transcript typically includes:

• Signature: Signed by the homeschool administrator or a recognized authority.
• Seal or Watermark: Often includes a watermark or seal indicating authenticity.
• Consistent Format: Uses a clear, consistent format with detailed course information and grades.

These elements help ensure the transcript is recognized as a legitimate academic record.

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To print your student's transcript:

1. Add Courses: Ensure all courses for the year(s) are added to the transcript.
2. Generate Transcript: Click on "Generate Transcript."
3. Download PDF: A PDF file will download to your computer.
4. Print: You can print the PDF at home or take it to a print shop for printing.

This process will provide you with a hard copy of the transcript for your records.

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No, homeschool transcripts generally do not need to be notarized unless specifically requested by an entity or state.

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The need for transcripts as part of permanent records varies by state and individual requirements.

• State Requirements: Some states have specific requirements for maintaining transcripts, even at the elementary level, while others do not require transcripts for homeschooled students at all.

• Permanent Records: Generally, it is a good practice to keep transcripts as part of your permanent records for future reference. They provide a comprehensive record of your child’s academic progress and achievements, which can be useful for high school graduation, college admissions, or other educational purposes.

• Check Local Regulations: Since state requirements vary, it’s important to review your state’s homeschooling regulations to determine if transcripts need to be included in your permanent records.

Maintaining accurate and complete transcripts can help ensure that you have all necessary documentation for future educational needs.

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Yes, include these courses if they are part of your child's academic record. Use a symbol or notation to distinguish them.

For example, list the course as "Junior Engineering#" and note in the transcript, "# indicates courses taken at Main Street High School."

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To save your work:

When you add grades to the system, your progress is automatically saved to our database. There is no need to manually save a draft. When you are ready to print a copy of the transcript, simply click on "Generate Transcript" to create a PDF.

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To determine how many credits your class is worth, consider the following factors:

1. Course Hours: Typically, one credit hour equals one hour of classroom instruction per week over a semester. For example, a class that meets for three hours each week for a semester might be worth 3 credits.

2. Course Duration: Longer or more intensive courses may warrant more credits. For instance, a full-year course might be worth 6 credits if it meets twice as often as a single-semester course.

3. Workload and Rigor: Consider the overall workload and difficulty of the course. More challenging courses or those with extensive assignments might be assigned more credits.

4. Institutional Standards: Check if there are any specific guidelines or standards from your state, school district, or other educational bodies that you should follow.

Ultimately, choose credit values that reflect the course’s time commitment and academic rigor. Ensure consistency across all courses to provide a clear and accurate transcript.

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On average, students complete about 6 to 8 courses per year.

The number of credits depends on the units assigned to each course, which can vary based on the educational system, grade level, and individual course load.

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When using our transcript tool, you have the flexibility to choose the number of credit hours or units a course is worth.

Here’s what you need to consider:

• Different Standards: Credit hours or units may vary between states or school districts. Each institution or state might have its own way of measuring these units.

• Consistency is Key: It is important to maintain consistency in how you assign credit hours or units throughout the transcript. Colleges generally accept the units listed as long as they are consistent and clearly defined on the transcript.

• Choose Based on Your Needs: Select the unit that best fits your needs and the standards you are following. Ensure it aligns with how your courses are measured and reported.

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To distinguish college courses from standard high school courses, add an asterisk (*) after each college course name, such as Introduction to Psychology*.

Choose "yes" to Include a note on the graduation transcript that reads: " * indicates a college credit course". 

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Yes, you can include high school-level courses taken before 9th grade on the high school transcript.

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You can list these courses in the order of progress rather than by specific grade levels.

For example, place Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus in the appropriate sequence, and include any College Dual Credit courses as senior year coursework, even if they were not completed in the corresponding calendar years.

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Consider the credits needed, the student's career goals, and the relevance of the coursework.

For instance, if a student participated in a speech and debate program with leadership components and also took a speech class at a community college, you might highlight the leadership aspect in the title for the year they took the college class.

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Choose the grading scale that best aligns with your educational goals and requirements:

• Pass/Fail: Simplifies grading by indicating whether a student has met the course requirements.
• Standard Letter: Uses traditional letter grades (A, B, C, etc.) for a straightforward evaluation.
• +/- Scale: Provides more granularity with letter grades plus or minus (A+, A, A-, etc.) for a detailed assessment.

Select the scale that fits your needs and how you want to represent academic performance.

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Yes, you can use the plus and minus grading scale with grades.

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Using pass/fail grades can provide a complete picture of your student’s academic work. Including pass/fail courses on the transcript ensures a comprehensive record of all coursework, even if it does not impact the GPA. This helps in accurately reflecting the student’s educational experience.

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Yes, pass/fail classes should be included on a transcript to provide a complete academic record.

In our tool, pass/fail classes are listed with 0 units, as they do not contribute to credit hours or GPA calculation. However, you will need to assign a grade such as "Pass" or "Fail" for these courses to ensure they are accurately reflected.

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Yes, you should include senior year courses even if grades are not yet available. For courses with grades in progress:

1. Assign 0 Units: List these courses with 0 units.
2. No Grade: Do not assign a grade to these courses.
3. Add a Note: Include a note on the graduation transcript stating that coursework without an assigned grade is in progress.

This approach provides a complete record of current coursework while clarifying the status of grades.

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The transcript should be signed by:

1. Homeschool Administrator: In a homeschooling context, the parent or guardian acting as the homeschool administrator usually signs the transcript.

2. School Official: For schools, a school official such as a principal or registrar signs the transcript.

The signature verifies the accuracy and legitimacy of the transcript’s contents.

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To return to editing your student’s transcript:

1. Log In: Access your transcript tool.
2. Select Student: Choose the student from the family drop-down menu.
3. Choose Year: Select the year you want to update.
4. Edit: From there, you can add or delete classes as needed.

This process will allow you to make any necessary changes to the transcript.

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The following information will be needed when adding a class to your transcript:

• School Year and Grade of the Student

• Class Name

• Class Credit

• For a calculated GPA:

  • Select GPA Grading Scale and provide the Percent Earned
  • The grade description will fill in automatically

• If not included in the GPA calculation, choose one of the following options

  • Choose Pass/Fail on the Grading Scale OR
  • Enter a Grade Description (e.g., "A+")

• Optional:

  • Weight (e.g., Normal = 0; Honors = 0.5; AP = 1)

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To enter your student's courses, grades, and credits:

1. Log in to the Transcript Tool.
2. Go to Class Information: Under this section, you can add your student’s courses, grades, and credits.

This will ensure that all relevant information is included on the transcript.

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Yes, your family can add a school name, logo, and footer to your transcript.

However, if you are part of a partner or existing group, your admin may determine if these items are customizable for your family.

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The Graduation Transcript with the "Official Transcript" watermark is tailored for colleges, universities, and employers that request an official transcript.

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General Transcript:

• Information from General Settings (school name, logo, and footer)
• Address
• Years you select
• Academic information you have input
• Notes entered for each year
• Calculated GPAs for each year and overall
  OR
  Grade Descriptions for the classes you entered

Graduation Transcript:

• Information from General Settings (school name, logo, and footer)
• Address
• Years you select
• Academic information you have input
• Option to Hide/Show Notes entered for each year
• Calculated GPAs for each year and overall
  OR
  Grade Descriptions for the classes you entered

Optional Items for the Graduation Transcript:

• Graduation Date
• Signature
• Title
• Custom Message

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The yearly GPA is calculated based on the number of credits, grades, and any weights you’ve assigned.
For example, if your student took four courses:

• Algebra I (1 credit) – Grade: A (4.0)
• English (1 credit) – Grade: B (3.0)
• Biology (1 credit, Honors) – Grade: A (4.5 due to honors weight)
• History (1 credit) – Grade: B (3.0)

You would calculate the GPA by multiplying each grade by the number of credits, then dividing the total by the number of credits. In this case:

(4.0×1)+(3.0×1)+(4.5×1)+(3.0×1) ÷ 4 = 3.625 GPA

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The cumulative GPA is calculated by averaging the GPA from all high school years, based on the number of credits, grades, and any weights assigned across those years.

For example, let’s say your student has these GPAs for each year:

• 9th Grade GPA: 3.5 (6 credits)
• 10th Grade GPA: 3.7 (7 credits)
• 11th Grade GPA: 3.8 (6 credits)

To calculate the cumulative GPA, multiply each yearly GPA by the number of credits earned that year:

• 3.5 x 6 = 21.0

• 3.7 x 7 = 25.9

• 3. 8 x 6 = 22.8

Now, add up the total GPA points and divide by the total number of credits:

(21.0 + 25.9 + 22.8) ÷ (6 + 7 + 6) = 3.67 cumulative GPA

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A weighted course is a class considered more challenging than a standard course and thus earns extra grade points to reflect its increased difficulty. Here’s a breakdown:

Types of Weighted Courses:

• Honors Courses: Advanced classes that cover material in greater depth than standard courses. They might use a 4.5 scale for grades (A = 4.5, B = 3.5, etc.).

• Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: College-level courses offered in high school, culminating in standardized exams that can earn college credit. These typically use a 5.0 scale (A = 5.0, B = 4.0, etc.).

• College Dual Credit Courses: These courses are taken at the high school level but count for both high school and college credit. They often carry the same weight as AP courses or might be adjusted based on the institution's grading scale. For example, an A in a dual credit course might also earn 5.0 grade points.

How Weights Are Assigned:

• Standard Courses: Typically use a 4.0 scale (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, etc.).

• Honors Courses: Might use a 4.5 scale (A = 4.5, B = 3.5, etc.).

• AP Courses: Often use a 5.0 scale (A = 5.0, B = 4.0, etc.).

• College Dual Credit Courses: Usually align with the AP scale or as specified by the college offering the course (often 5.0).

Example:

If a student earns an A in:

• A Standard Course: They receive 4.0 grade points.
• An Honors Course: They receive 4.5 grade points.
• An AP Course: They receive 5.0 grade points.
• A College Dual Credit Course: They might receive 5.0 grade points, depending on the institution’s policy.

This system helps differentiate between standard and advanced coursework on the student's transcript.

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We produce both a weighted and an unweighted GPA on our transcript.

You have the option to assign weights to your courses based on their difficulty level:

• Unweighted GPA: Calculated using a standard 4.0 scale (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, etc.), regardless of whether the course is standard, honors, or AP.

• Weighted GPA: Adjusted to reflect the increased difficulty of honors and AP courses. For instance, honors courses might use a 4.5 scale and AP courses a 5.0 scale.

You can choose to assign weights to your courses to reflect their rigor. When doing so, the transcript will show both the weighted GPA and the unweighted GPA to provide a comprehensive view of the student's academic performance.

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To create a diploma, you’ll need the following details:

• Student’s Full Name
• Milestone or Achievement (e.g., High School Graduation, Kindergarten Completion)
• School Name 
• Graduation Date
• Location 

These details ensure the diploma reflects your child’s unique accomplishment.

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Yes, you can update or change diploma details any time before printing. Simply return to the editing screen to make adjustments.

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You can create unlimited diplomas for the children in your immediate family. This allows you to celebrate each milestone without limits.

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To print your diploma:

1. Download: Your diploma is available as a high-resolution 8.5x11 JPG file.
2. Printing Options: You can print it at home or at a print shop.
3. Recommendation: For the best results, we recommend printing it at a print shop on high-quality paper and purchasing a diploma sleeve for presentation.

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For a professional look, we recommend using high-quality, heavyweight paper. Most standard printers work well, but for the best results, you might consider professional printing services.

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Yes! Our diploma tool is versatile and can be used to celebrate many educational milestones:

• Preschool
• Kindergarten
• Elementary and Middle School
• Special Achievements

This flexibility allows you to recognize and commemorate your child’s journey at any stage.

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Our diploma tool offers several options to help you personalize your student’s diploma. You can add all the relevant student information and customize the appearance to your liking. Here’s an overview of the choices available:

• Primary Font: Choose from 3 font styles.
• Secondary Font: Choose from 3 font styles.
• Background: Select either White or Parchment.
• Border: Options include None, Black, Red, or Blue.

For a complete view of these options, please refer to the graphic provided.

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You can select your US State or Canadian Province from a dropdown menu. This allows the diploma to meet any local requirements, or you can select "International/Hide State" to create a diploma without specific regional language.

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Yes! Our diploma tool is available to customers worldwide. Simply select “International” in the location dropdown menu to create a diploma without specific regional language, allowing it to suit any milestone or achievement, regardless of location.

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The $2.00/family price is being offered through January 2025 and will remain so for the early adopters at least until 2026. 

We always plan to offer these tools to Homeschool-Life.com groups at a significant discount to what it would cost families to sign up on their own.

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The $2.00 rate is available only if the entire co-op's membership uses this feature.

In 2025 it will be made available for individuals at our regular rate with the lauch of Homeschool-Family-Life.com.

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The Family and Graduation Transcript allows each family to create transcripts for their enrolled children.

They can import graded co-op classes or manually add any outside work. To change a co-op grade, they simply enter the class manually instead of importing it. Families can also customize the transcript with their own school name and logo.

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Yes, parents can add any class or curriculum, including what they’re doing at home, in addition to co-op classes.

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For Homeschool-Life.com

If teachers enter grades, parents can add them to the transcript. They are also able to delete classes and manually add them if they wish. 

If teachers don’t provide grades, parents can manually input their own.

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No, the Class Transcripts for co-op classes with Homeschool-Life.com will remain.

The Family and Graduation Tools transcript feature allows families to add outside courses and manage their own transcripts in addition to co-op classes.

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Yes, the Family and Graduation Tools transcripts are personal to each family within your group.

They are only shareable or accessible to others if the family chooses to download and share them.

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Homeschool-Life.com administrators can create ID cards for the entire group directly from the Admin portal.

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Yes, families are able to edit and create their own diplomas as needed for their purposes.