Afterschooling in high school - question

[Kinsa]

I have a question for a friend...

If you afterschool during the high school years, do you include that information on a transcript of some type? Obviously, you can't add it to the public/private school's transcript, so what do you do with all that afterschooling effort to make sure that colleges "see" what your child has been taught?

Thanks!

[Momling]

I wouldn't... because it doesn't mean a whole lot. But I would consider having the student take a standardized exam (like the SAT subject test, CLEP or AP) to show mastery of the subject and legitimately include it on a college application or resume.

[jibaker103]

I wouldn't... because it doesn't mean a whole lot. But I would consider having the student take a standardized exam (like the SAT subject test, CLEP or AP) to show mastery of the subject and legitimately include it on a college application or resume.
It actually can mean a great deal! I have completed a lot of research on this since I am the mother of a 9th grader. From all of the research I found out that I woulld issue him a transcript at the end of high school that would show everything he has completed during his high school years including homeschool courses, public school courses, dual enrollment courses, volunteer, extracurricular, and sport activities, achievements and awards, and standardized test scores. You want a transcript that stands out and makes your student unique and shows drive and initiative. What better way to demonstrate this than to produce unique, tailored, and creative afterschool subjects of interest or even subjects the student needs more help in!

Good Luck!!!

[Heigh Ho]

We're looking into this now. Guidance has told us that only 5 1/2 credits can be transferred in to the high school transcript, so we have to choose carefully if we want to transfer the grade in and have it show up there. I will probably go with an accredited course provider and just have ds send their official transcript along with the local h.s.'s for any courses that don't result in taking an AP exam, dual credit, or having credit transferred in.

[jibaker103]

We're looking into this now. Guidance has told us that only 5 1/2 credits can be transferred in to the high school transcript, so we have to choose carefully if we want to transfer the grade in and have it show up there. I will probably go with an accredited course provider and just have ds send their official transcript along with the local h.s.'s for any courses that don't result in taking an AP exam, dual credit, or having credit transferred in.
I'm not sure what state you're in but here in TX homeschoolers are considered unaccredited private schools and we are left alone to teach whatever and however we want. I have checked with a lot of colleges and universities in and out of the state ranging from small to Ivy league and I have not come across any reason to pay out good money for an accredited program. I think my money will be better spent on texts, materials, and extracurricular activities. Also the transcript I issue my son will be considered legitimate and accepted along with all of the "normal" transcripts from public and private school students.

[Heigh Ho]

I'm not sure what state you're in but here in TX homeschoolers are considered unaccredited private schools and we are left alone to teach whatever and however we want. I have checked with a lot of colleges and universities in and out of the state ranging from small to Ivy league and I have not come across any reason to pay out good money for an accredited program. I think my money will be better spent on texts, materials, and extracurricular activities. Also the transcript I issue my son will be considered legitimate and accepted along with all of the "normal" transcripts from public and private school students.


I was answering the original post, which was about afterschoolers. Homeschool is a whole different ballgame up here in NY and of course I can't speak to anyone else's state rules or personal situation.

I do want to offer to the OP that another way to show proficiency without a transcript is to talk with the dept chair at the U. Some exceptional students do set up interviews and arrange placements and credit that way.

One reason afterschoolers use an accredited program here
is for accelerating in the school math and science sequences - each district has its own test out policy. Many use the "must take course from accredited provider or with approved tutor", take Regent's Exam, and do approved independent project policy before alllowing a child to test out. It's the only way in my district for a qualified student who wasn't allowed in to 8th grade algebra to get the math he needs - the district has no summer bridge course, doesn't allow doubling up, and refuses to open enough sections to allow all qualified students in. It's also the only way for a highly gifted child to compact the courses and get into the classes where he would learn new material.

If a mathy child didn't go this route here, he'd be stuck in the school sequence until he completed the required Alg II/Trig course. So if I didn't jump through the hoops, I'd be afterschooling Calc while the school forced ds to review Alg II. Which would be great for his GPA, but not so good for learning or staying with his mathy peers statewide who typically are done with the calc sequence and linear algebra before entering college.

[jibaker103]

I was answering the original post, which was about afterschoolers. Homeschool is a whole different ballgame up here in NY and of course I can't speak to anyone else's state rules or personal situation.
I'm not trying to pick a fight either just thought I would mention the information I have learned. I too am answering the original post from an afterschooler perspective. The student will be considered a homeschooler if courses are designed and completed by the parent. That is why a parent can create a comprehensive transcript showing all work accomplished. Most universities and colleges want to see transcripts from all schools attended so the parent can send those along with the comprehensive one.

[Georgia in NC]

It actually can mean a great deal! I have completed a lot of research on this since I am the mother of a 9th grader. From all of the research I found out that I woulld issue him a transcript at the end of high school that would show everything he has completed during his high school years including homeschool courses, public school courses, dual enrollment courses, volunteer, extracurricular, and sport activities, achievements and awards, and standardized test scores. You want a transcript that stands out and makes your student unique and shows drive and initiative. What better way to demonstrate this than to produce unique, tailored, and creative afterschool subjects of interest or even subjects the student needs more help in!

Good Luck!!!

If you are not legally homeschooling (and yes we had to produce this info when my ds was in the application process) then what possible meaning would this transcript have? :confused:


We are going with tests, etc. with outside validation if possible or putting it in the app itself.
hth,
Georgia

[jibaker103]

If you are not legally homeschooling (and yes we had to produce this info when my ds was in the application process) then what possible meaning would this transcript have? :confused:


We are going with tests, etc. with outside validation if possible or putting it in the app itself.
hth,
Georgia
I guess it boils down to the state you live in because there is no "legal" requirement in the state of TX. You just pull your student out of school and check off homeschool as the reason on the withdrawal form and that's it.

Each individual school district determines if they will accept a homeschooler on a part-time or full-time basis if you want to go that route. For example my local high school will only accept students if they complete core classes and they consider that FT because they would be on campus 4+ hours. In the next city over homeschoolers can take as little or as many classes as they want.