One of the most difficult things about homeschooling is record keeping. With all of the quizzes, tests, and other assignments the work can get out of hand. One of our favorite ways to tame this paper tiger is to use a spreadsheet. One spreadsheet can cover four years’ worth of schooling and even several students. This is definitely a simpler more streamlined option. When your student has finally finished their high school years, you simply print out the spreadsheet and include it along with your transcript and other resources that tell your student’s story.
Free Homeschool Grade Record Spreadsheet
For our free downloadable spreadsheet, simply click this New Digital Homeschool Record Keeping link. It will open up in Dropbox. Simply click “OPEN” and it will open on your computer and you can save it!
If you would rather have a paper/pencil version of a homeschool grade book, then you’ll want to visit our Back to Homeschool Help Pack. In that pack, there is a beautifully designed grade book that can be reproduced for each child or each year along with several other fun planning pages.
What is a Homeschool Report Card?
Once you’ve kept grades for a while, usually about 9 weeks, you’ll want to create a homeschool report card! You can simply take your grade book and average your student’s grades and then add their final grades for each subject into this handy printable report card template. These come in handy for discounts to places like Chuck E. Cheese as well as participation in Pizza Hut’s reading program and other fun rewards for children.
The Purpose of a Report Card
The main purpose for schools to create report cards is to let parents know how their child is progressing in their studies. Since you already know that, as you are their teacher, do you even need to make a report card? The short answer is no.
Unless your child is in high school, they do not even need recorded grades, and some parents choose to opt out of the report-card-making process. Depending on your homeschooling method, you may not want to make grades front and center for your child’s education. Some parents have negative feelings associated with report cards from their own past and don’t want to pass those along to a child who may be similarly struggling. If you’d rather not have report cards in your homeschool, you don’t have to do it.
Many parents choose to create and keep report cards even though they aren’t a homeschool requirement for the benefits they provide. Whichever route you take, just do what’s right for your family. See? No panic necessary!
The Benefits of a Report Card
So what are some benefits of having a report card for your child?
- As your child’s teacher, you are responsible for keeping up with certain things. As much as I want to be a deeply organized person, it does not come easily to me…at all. I have discovered I am much more likely to succeed in that area if I have accountability. If you feel I’m describing you, a report card may be the way to go. While states may not require you to turn in grades, they do require attendance records, and your child will eventually need a high school transcript. Report cards are a good way for you to keep up with all the information, a good way to keep records to look back on one day, and they are good practice for when your child hits their high school days.
- Did you know there are businesses and companies that give rewards and incentives for good grades on a report card? Your child can get free meals, ice cream, trading cards, and more, while you can get discounts on car insurance! This may be enough of a reason to whip up a report card! Check with your local craft and bookstores to see if they offer homeschool discounts.
- Some states allow for homeschooled students to play JV and Varsity sports at public schools. As you know, public school athletes are required to meet a minimum GPA. If this is something your child may be interested in, a report card is a must. Other states offer rec leagues that allow homeschooled students to play. Rec Leagues also check minimum GPA to make sure students are keeping their grades up.
- If you have a goal-driven child, report cards are a great way to track their progress and let them see where they stand. It’s also something they can show off to grandparents and other family members. I personally always looked forward to getting my report card to see how my sister and I measured up. Though we were in different grades, we were quite competitive and it pushed us both to improve.
For your teens, this report card is a great tool for building your final high school transcripts. Creating a report card each year will help you simplify building a high school transcript!
Additional Homeschool Resources
End of the Homeschool Year Checklist
Homeschool High School Transcript Template Download
Jamie Gaddy
Jamie Gaddy, B.S., M.Ed., Ed.D. has been a college education professor for over 17 years. Education has been a part of her life in both the classroom and as a principal. Six children later found her dissatisfied with traditional school and homeschool became the better fit. She is also a pastor’s wife, editor, and entrepreneur who now homeschools four of her six children in Georgia. Jamie loves to share about her homeschool experience to help other homeschoolers find success. Connect with her at [email protected].
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