| Have you ever wondered about the difference | | | | VERY expensive in the long run. At one point I |
| between an "accredited" and "official" homeschool | | | | calculated that a whole 4-year high school would |
| transcript? A mother contacted me because she | | | | be $2000-$5000 just for a piece of paper that |
| was told her son could play on a private school | | | | said "accredited." Accreditation agencies make a |
| baseball team - IF he entered that school's | | | | lot of money this way! |
| Independent Study program. The school said he | | | | The cost of accreditation wasn't worth the |
| needed an accredited transcript from his 9th | | | | hassles for my family. Apparently didn't matter to |
| grade year to prove that he is in the 10th grade | | | | our college choices either. My sons received great |
| this year. The mother was under the impression | | | | scholarships from every college where they |
| that his work was accredited by her. The school | | | | applied. They were also both given a four-year |
| disagreed and said they could review his transcript | | | | full-tuition scholarships based on my |
| from last year for $50 per credit hour. | | | | "mommy-made" official yet unaccredited |
| So, what does accreditation mean? How does a | | | | transcripts. The admissions director at that |
| homeschool student get "accredited" transcripts | | | | university said my transcripts and records were |
| without paying hundreds of dollars? | | | | the best he had ever seen. And he had seen lots |
| There is a difference between an "accredited" and | | | | of transcripts, accredited and official! |
| an "official" homeschool transcripts. Homeschool | | | | Accredited programs generally come with strings |
| credits are official, and our transcripts are official. | | | | attached. You have to enroll with them, and use |
| Homeschool transcripts are usually NOT | | | | their curriculum, follow their rules, and work at |
| accredited, however. Accredited transcripts are | | | | their speed. They may require additional record |
| provided by certified programs, with some sort | | | | keeping from the parent. Using accreditation |
| of government oversight. For that reason, they | | | | programs can reduce your independence and |
| are often avoided by independent homeschoolers. | | | | flexibility to create the perfect homeschool high |
| Although it's important to note that a certified | | | | school experience for your child. |
| program is not necessarily better than your | | | | Strangely enough, the mother who contacted me |
| homeschool program, in this case the school was | | | | might have had better luck with a baseball team |
| correct. Our homeschool credits are not | | | | associated with a public school. Ask public schools |
| accredited. They are official, however, when you | | | | about playing on their sport team, and see if they |
| act within your state law. | | | | will allow you access under part-time enrollment. |
| There are many programs that can accredit your | | | | That will allow you to participate without being a |
| transcript. They may cost about $50-$100 per | | | | student at the school. I know parents who have |
| credit or more. It adds up quickly, and it can be | | | | chosen that option. |