Portfolio?

[Kelli in TN]

I know most colleges will never ask to see one, but I think I would like to have one ready just in case. Besides, it might be kind of neat to look back over Sarah's high school years and put it all in print.

If you have actually done a portfolio could you share how you did it? What did you include? How many pages was it? How did you present it (stapled together? in a folder? professionally bound?)? Did anyone ever look at it? Did you prepare more than one copy so you could leave a copy with a school if requested?

[Michelle in MO]

recommendations in the older version of TWTM, and I assume they're in the newer one.

I've never done one, Kelli, but I would assume some of the following:

1. Transcript

2. Copies of all college entrance exams, i.e., PSAT, SAT, ACT

3. Copies of all extra exams, i.e. SAT-II's, AP's, etc.

4. One or two really good papers your child has written; I would include a well-written research paper and perhaps a good, longer essay.

5. References (character, academic, etc.) from various friends, pastors, teachers, etc., your child has encountered along the way. (Realize, though, that probably like most employers, the school would also request this information directly from the individual.)

6. Maybe a "photographic journey" of some highlights of your child's high school years? Perhaps photos of him/her doing volunteer work, a science fair project, a history project, a particularly difficult lab experiment, etc.? Pictures of him/her receiving any awards?

These are just a few ideas off the top of my head. SWB addresses this on pp. 616-617 of the older version of TWTM (I have the newer edition upstairs and am doing this in a hurry!).

Kelli, I just did a Google search and here are a couple of links to online high school portfolios:

http://electronicportfolios.org/hs/index.html

A book (http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Your-High-School-Portfolio/dp/1563705176) from Amazon on how to create a h.s. portfolio.

And this link (http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/olderkids/Portfolios.htm)might help, too.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine, putting it all together. Wish I could say I've BTDT, but I haven't yet! I'll be doing this someday myself, though!

[HollyinNNV]

My writing students create a portfolio every year. Keep in mind that these portfolios are made by students in grades K-12 and are only writing portfolios. The sections are as follows: best selection of the year, my favorite, mom's favorite, writing that shows my growth and a writing selection from the previous year. Parents find they can more easily see if and how their children's writing is improving if they compare it to the previous year.

So, this isn't really a high school portfolio-but maybe someone will find it interesting.

[Anne/Ankara]

In Pennsylvania, you are required to submit an annual portfolio, so we have done this for many years. I am thinking that our high school portfolios will be the same as the earlier years-- a 3 inch binder with an overall description report by me, followed by daily log and reading list, followed by samples and brief descriptions of each course taken (along with any awards or such). Makes a very nice keepsake!