How To Master high School Credits

Are you feeling lost in the high school credit system? Don’t worry, many first time homeschool high school parents have felt the exact same way, including myself! This article will help and guide you, as we discuss all about how to master high school credits with tips along the way.

First Understand Your State Requirements

Just like in creating the 4-year high school plan, you need to know your states laws. Each state has specific requirements for high school graduation. Make sure you know the required courses and credits. You can find your state and their requirements here.

Be diligent to check for updates. State requirements can change, so stay informed. The HSLDA can help you keep up with current state laws and regulations. You are not required to fulfill the public-school requirements, and there might be subjects that do not apply to your student or homeschool.

Second, Understand The Credit System

Typically, one high school credit equals 120-180 hours of coursework, but this can vary by state.

For example, as of the original date of this article, it’s noted that:

• In California and Nebraska, a one-year course receives 10.0 credits and a semester course 5.0 credits.
• In New Jersey, a one-year course receives 5.0 credits and a semester course 2.5 credits.
• In Idaho and Indiana, a one-year course receives 2.0 credits and a semester course 1.0 credit.

As the parent of a homeschooler, you can use your state’s credit value or convert it to the more typical 1.0 credit value. The examples in this article will reflect the more typical values.

English

Typical high school consists of 4 years of English: English 1-4. With a total of one credit earned per course, earning 4 credits on their transcripts.

Grammar, literature, and composition courses are typically the standard for the English category. ESL or communication classes like speech may sometimes be counted as English but verify your state’s requirements and the admission criteria of potential colleges before depending on those courses.

Math

Depending on where your student wants to go to college, typical high school math consists of three to four years of math, earning your student one credit per course. This gives them 3-4 math credits on their transcripts.

Algebra 1 and 2, along with geometry, are the most common courses used to fulfill math credit requirements. Many students opt not to pursue higher-level math courses such as calculus and trigonometry. But check your state’s requirements for these credits. Some states mandate that at least one math credit be earned in the final two years of high school. However, be creative! In some states, an accounting or personal finance course can be taken in place of a higher math course once you have completed the basic three.

Social Studies

This category can give 2-3+ credits on the transcript. There are many options that can fulfil this category: History, government, civics, geography, and even economics and finance can fulfill this requirement.

Be sure to check the requirements from your state and the colleges you’re interested in. Then, enjoy exploring these subjects!

Science

This category can give you 2-3 credits added to the transcript. States and colleges typically require you to select a life science, such as biology, as one of your credits. The other two credits can be chosen from physical science, chemistry, and physics categories.

Health & wellness

Your student can gain 1-2 credits from this category onto their transcripts. Requirements and accepted courses can vary widely from state to state. Keep in mind that a full year of PE typically provides only half a credit, and a separate wellness course is often required.

The Subjects and categories listed are standard from state to state and across many colleges. However, there might be other required categories too. Your state might require a foreign language, or fine arts. This is where electives come in.

Electives

Your student can excel in this category, earning 5-10 credits on their transcripts. Try a foreign language, fine arts, speech, and even economics. What about sewing and woodwork? Your students can be creative in this category, but please make sure that these choices reflect their high school level investments.

Don’t overwhelm your seniors with curriculum and work, just because they are high school seniors.

As parents, we don’t even like to be overwhelmed. Especially if your student obtains a job, they will not be able to keep up. You will find yourself fussing, and this will begin to disconnect you from your teenager.

Instead, find ways their job can be educational, using this to your and their advantage. The same goes with too much volunteer work.

Course Credits

Generally, a full-year course is worth one credit. This includes subjects like Math, Science, English, and Social Studies. While a single semester course is usually worth half a credit.

High school students need only accomplish at least two-thirds of their textbook to get credit. Or 75% which would amount to ¾ completion. In homeschool this amount will differ; my advice is to stay around this area. This HSLDA resource list an additional 3 Ways to Determine My Teen’s High School Course Credit (hslda.org).

Third: Records, Records, Records!

Seriously, homeschool records are so important even if your state doesn’t require them. If you don’t know where to start in collecting records, you might want to refer to my two articles, What Are Work Samples? How To and Why Collect Them 📁 and How To Collect Homeschool Records And Why You Need To🗃️📂 .

Try Creating Syllabuses

This might sound silly or too college level, but it’s not. For every high school course you offer your student, simply list objectives. This is what you should be learning and what you should know at the end of this course.

This will also help when testing, although not all homeschoolers give tests. I, however, prefer to give my littles an occasional math and spelling test, and my teens a subject test, simply because I really want to test their knowledge and make sure they are learning the material I have invested financially in (for that subject). You can also include materials for the class and assignments.

This lays a solid foundation for college and if your student is dual enrolled, it will help them tremendously since their professors will most likely give syllabuses.

Track, Evaluate, and Grade

Track

Tracking hours can seem as if you are over doing it, but if you are a working parent or your student is completely independent, you might want to consider this. Yet, it’s not that hard, just give an expectation of time for a course. You are NOT trying to make your home feel like a public school system, where after the bell rings it’s a race off to the next class.

You are simply teaching your high schooler to be aware of time, and to prioritize those things needing more time and those needing less. Basically, ordering courses to get them done a little at a time, and this is helpful because many high school curriculums are created to be self-directed. Help them keep a log of the time spent on each subject to ensure it meets the required hours for credit (at your homeschool discretion).

Evaluate

Again,not all homeschool families do this. In fact, those who choose to de-school or un-school, might not choose to use test as their high schoolers might be coming from public schools and they desperately need a change.

However, it is always a good measure to see where your student is academically. Colleges use past grades to place your students in required courses when they first apply. Use tests, quizzes, projects, and assignments to evaluate your student’s understanding.

Grade

Just like evaluating, many homeschools don’t grade. However, grades in high school are IMPORTANT, and the GPA. Grades determine the GPA (grade point average), so keep track of them. The best way is by using a records sheet, spread sheet, or try our Interactive transcript form and 4-year high school plan.

Based on their performance, assign a letter grade or percentage. Then maintain the records for those grades. Again, document all coursework, grades, and credits earned. This will be important for creating transcripts. When creating the transcript, include all courses taken, credits earned, and grades received.

What The Grading System Looks like

What does the grading system look like? Well overall grades are basically the same no matter which state you get them in. Below are charts of the typical grading scale. Feel free to use this with your homeschoolers and homeschool high schoolers.

Standard	Grading	System		Extended	Grading	System
Numerical Grade	Letter Grade	GPA Scale		Numerical Grade	Letter Grade	GPA Scale
90-100	A	4.0		90-100	A+	4.0
80-89	B	3.0		93-96	A	4.0
70-79	C	2.0		90-92	A-	3.7
60-69	D	1.0		87-89	B+	3.3
59 & below	F	0.0		83-86	B	3.0
				80-82	B-	2.7
				77-79	C+	2.3
				73-76	C	2.0
				70-72	C-	1.7
				67-69	D+	1.3
				63-66	D	1.0
				60-62	D-	0.7
				59 & below	F	0.0

Keep in mind that +/- grading is advised against when awarding points over a 4.0 GPA for an A+. Most schools convert back to the 4.0 scale. Also remember that a GPU (Grade Point Unit) differs from a GPA (Grade Point Average) by converting a grade point into a calculable number based on the credits earned. For example, a 4.0 in a half-credit course results in a GPU of 2. To calculate the annual GPA, sum all the GPUs and then divide by the number of courses taken that semester.

In Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively assign high school credits to your homeschool students, ensuring they meet educational standards and are well-prepared for their future endeavors.

If you have any more questions on credits, the high school 4-year plan, or creating your students’ transcripts, refer to our Homeschool High School Resource Page.

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