Homeschooling high school in Texas: credits, transcripts, diplomas and college

You do. Texas homeschools are private schools, and the State of Texas does not issue diplomas to homeschooled students. When your student has finished the program you set, you award the diploma and the final transcript.

Texas homeschools don't have to follow the public school graduation plan or take end-of-course STAAR tests. Many families still use the public Foundation High School Program as a guide to course balance, because colleges are familiar with it.

A common approach is one credit for a full-year course (roughly 120–180 hours of work) and half a credit for a semester course. Plan four years across English, math, science, social studies (including government and economics for good citizenship), a language, fine arts, physical education and electives.

Write the plan down at the start of Grade 9 and adjust it each year. If your teen is aiming at a particular college or program, check its admission requirements early — some expect specific courses such as two years of the same language or lab sciences.

A transcript is a one- or two-page summary. Include the student's name and date of birth, your homeschool's name and address, each course by year with the credit earned and final grade, a grading scale, cumulative credits and GPA, the graduation date, and your signature as the school administrator.

Some Texas colleges ask for an official transcript with a notarized signature from the school official — that's you. Keep course descriptions, reading lists and a few work samples on file in case a college asks for more detail.

Texas Education Code §51.9241 requires public colleges and universities to evaluate a homeschool graduate by the same general standards as other applicants, treating completion of a nontraditional secondary education as equivalent to graduating from a public high school.

Each institution sets its own documents and deadlines. Expect to send a transcript, SAT or ACT scores where required, and sometimes course descriptions. Read each college's homeschool admissions page before your teen's final year.

Many Texas community colleges let homeschool students take dual credit courses that count toward both high school and college. Colleges usually ask for a homeschool agreement or permission form signed by the parent, a transcript, and Texas Success Initiative (TSI) readiness or an exemption through SAT, ACT or other scores.

From Fall 2026, colleges report that homeschool students must be at least 16 when a dual credit course starts. Requirements and costs vary by college, so contact the dual credit office of the college you're considering.

TEA's guidance to districts says homeschool students must be given the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT and Advanced Placement exams offered by the district. Contact the district's testing coordinator well before the test date.

Since 2025–26, districts must let eligible homeschool students take part in UIL activities unless the district board has opted out. See the UIL homeschool FAQ for eligibility conditions.

Texas requires applicants under 18 without a diploma to show they are enrolled in school. Homeschool students do this with a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form signed by the parent as the school official. Check the Texas Department of Public Safety for the current form and its validity period.