Preparing a Transcript

Creating a Transcript

A transcript is a cumulative record on a 4-point scale indicating a student's level of success overall and in individual courses. On this scale any "A", including + or - , typically counts as a 4, "B's" as a 3, etc. Typical percentage breakdowns are: 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D. Pass/fail indicators do not figure into a G.P.A. (grade point average).

It is recommended that all student receive a letter grade for all core courses. One-full credit is given for a course that a student works on in an every-day basis for the full year and lesser credits are prorated on a comparison basis depending on number of days per weeks or amount of the school year. For example a music lesson once a week all year long would be counted as .2 or .25 credits. A health course worked on every day for 9 weeks (1/4 of the year) would also be counted as .25 credits. A typical transcript has courses grouped either by grade level or by subject area. For purposes of modeling a transcript and how to figure a G.P.A. the following example has courses grouped by grade level and has been done for only two years.

Example by Grade Level

Course Title Grade Credit Scale Points
Algebra I A 1 4.0 4.0
Biology B 1 3.0 3.0
English I A 1 4.0 4.0
World History B 1 3.0 3.0
Bible A 1 4.0 4.0
Keyboarding C 1 2.0 2.0
Physical Fitness A 0.5 4.0 2.0
Music A 0.25 4.0 1.0
TOTAL   6.75   23.0
Course Title Grade Credit Scale Points
Algebra II B 1 3.0 3.0
Chemistry (laboratory) A 1 4.0 4.0
English II A 1 4.0 4.0
Geography B 1 3.0 3.0
Bible A 1 4.0 4.0
Computer Tools B 0.5 3.0 1.5
Health A 0.5 4.0 2.0
Music B 0.25 3.0 0.75
TOTAL   6.25   22.25
Course Title 1st Semester Credit Scale Points   2nd Semester Credit Scale Points
Biology B 0.5 3.0 1.5   A 0.5 4.0 2.0
Geography A 0.5 4.0 2.0          
Music           B 0.25 3.0 0.75
World History A 0.5 4.0 2.0   A 0.5 4.0 2.0
English I B 0.5 3.0 1.5   A 0.5 4.0 2.0
Bible I A 0.5 4.0 2.0   A 0.5 4.0 2.0
Physical Education A 0.25 4.0 1.0          
Algebra I A 0.5 4.0 2.0   B 0.5 3.0 1.5
TOTAL   3.25   12.0     2.75   10.25

Notes: 
1. The preparer of the transcript should sign and date the document, and indicate their relationship to the student.
2. Calculate a cumulative G.P.A. as the Total Points divided by the Total Credits. Both totals are the sum across all high school years completed. In the example above, the cumulative GPA over 2 years (sum 9th & 10th grade) = 45.25 / 13 = 3.48 on a 4-point scale. 
3. A transcript should be split into semesters if 1) a student takes a course for only half the year, OR 2) a student makes a different grade each semester of a full-year subject.

Learn More: HSLDA Guidelines & Examples of Homeschool Transcripts