A customizable homeschool curriculum based on great books

High school course credits

High school courses in the United States are organized into credits. In general, one credit is awarded for a year-long course of 120 to 180 hours (the equivalent of an hour-long class each weekday for eight months). A one-semester course of 60 to 90 hours is worth a half credit.

Most high school students take six or seven courses each semester, resulting in a six- or seven-hour school day for students doing school eight months per year. This intensity can be reduced if you homeschool for more than eight months per year. For example, at Nautilus Homeschool the standard high school academic year lasts for ten months, with daily time requirements for students correspondingly less.

College admissions requirements

Competitive universities commonly require that applicants have completed 24 to 28 credits in high school, including at minimum the following academic courses:

Four credits of language arts, which include substantial writing
Three to four credits of math (usually Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2, with an option to take Trigonometry / Precalculus during the fourth year)
Three to four credits of social studies, including a year of world history and a year of American history
Three to four credits of science, including two years with substantial lab work (usually biology and chemistry with labs, physics and an optional additional course such as astronomy or psychology)
Two to three credits of foreign language
At least one credit of fine arts, such as drawing, painting, music or art history
At least five credits of electives

At Nautilus Homeschool, students fulfill these requirements by completing the recommended core courses plus electives. You may view a sample schedule here.

Determining credit hours

For homeschooled students, independent study replaces much of the time that traditional students spend in the classroom, and schedules often do not line up with the traditional academic year. For this reason, it's important to keep track of how much time is actually spent on each course when awarding credits.

Students should plan to spend at least 120 hours on a one-credit course, and at least 60 hours on a half-credit course. This time may include watching video lectures, reading books, and completing lab or writing assignments.

At Nautilus Homeschool, course credits are determined based on the estimated number of hours students will spend on the core course components. For video-based material, the total playing time of one iteration of the recording is used. To determine credit hours for books, we use the audiobook listening length or "time to read" listed on Amazon when available. We display the number of credit hours next to each course component to make it easy for parents to substitute an equivalent component of their choice if desired.

If you choose to add courses outside Nautilus Homeschool to the curriculum, you can specify the number of credits the course is worth. Dual enrollment courses and other standardized courses are generally worth one credit for a year-long class, and a half credit for a one-semester class. If you are designing your own course, you can use the methods described above to determine credit hours for recorded lectures and books, and your own estimate for independent assignments. If your student ends up spending more or less time on a course, you can edit the number of credits at any time.

Creating a transcript

Most university admissions offices require homeschoolers to submit a standard high school transcript which includes a list of courses taken, the credit and grade for each course, and final GPA. The GPA is calculated as the average grade on a four-point scale, weighted by the credit value of each course.

Students using the Nautilus Homeschool high school curriculum can generate automated transcripts which include all courses that have been added to the curriculum (including those still in progress). Parents assign grades for each completed course, which are then used to calculate the GPA displayed on the transcript.

Students not using our curriculum can instead use our free high school transcript generator to generate official transcripts at no cost.

Getting help

If you'd like advice on homeschooling high school, reach out to us at team@nautilushomeschool.com. We'd be happy to share our own homeschooling experience, and assist in any way possible.

Frequently asked questions

How many credits does a homeschooled student need for high school?

Most competitive universities look for 24 to 28 total high school credits, covering language arts, math, social studies, science, foreign language, fine arts and electives. Requirements vary by school, so it's worth checking the specific admissions criteria for any colleges your student is targeting.

How do you calculate credit hours for a homeschool course?

A full credit generally represents 120 to 180 hours of coursework, and a half credit represents 60 to 90 hours. This time can include video lectures, reading, labs and assignments. Nautilus Homeschool estimates hours automatically for each course component, so parents don't have to track time manually.

Do colleges accept homeschool transcripts?

Yes. Colleges routinely admit homeschooled students and simply ask for the same core information as any transcript: courses taken, credits and grades earned, and an overall GPA. Presenting this in a standard format makes the review process straightforward for admissions offices.

How do I create a high school transcript for my homeschooler?

If you use the Nautilus Homeschool curriculum, a transcript is generated automatically from the courses and grades you've entered. If you're building your own curriculum, you can use our free transcript generator to produce an official-looking transcript at no cost.

Can dual enrollment or outside courses count toward homeschool credits?

Yes. Dual enrollment and other standardized courses are typically worth one credit for a year-long class and a half credit for a single semester. You can add these to your student's record and assign the appropriate credit value alongside courses from your core curriculum.

Does homeschool high school have to follow the traditional school year?

No. Homeschoolers can spread coursework over more or fewer months than a traditional eight-month school year. Nautilus Homeschool, for example, uses a ten-month academic year, which lowers the daily time commitment needed to earn the same credits.