How to Create Your Homeschool Portfolio for Record Keeping

Embarking on the homeschooling path is an engaging journey filled with discovery. But along with the excitement, there's also a practical side to consider. In some areas, keeping a homeschool portfolio is not just beneficial; it's a legal requirement.

A homeschool portfolio is more than just a collection of papers. It's a systematic record of schoolwork, art projects, tests, and more. It represents a real snapshot of the student's progress and achievements.

Create a Homeschool Portfolio

Creating this portfolio isn't a dull task. It's akin to building a unique record of the learning journey, where each item holds specific significance. Required by law or not, a homeschool portfolio is a valuable tool that helps both students and homeschool parents track academic progress and celebrate educational milestones.

What Is a Homeschool Portfolio?

A homeschool portfolio is a collection that keeps track of your child's educational progress throughout the homeschooling experience. It's more than a folder of papers; it's a vital record of schoolwork, art, tests, and other educational activities.

In some areas, this portfolio might even be a legal necessity, so putting one together is essential. It helps you, as a parent and educator, to see how your child is doing, understand their strengths and areas for improvement, and plan their future lessons.

Think of it as a detailed roadmap of your child's educational journey, each piece showcasing a unique aspect of their learning and growth. Whether it's a legal obligation or a way to celebrate achievements, a homeschool portfolio is a practical tool in your homeschool record keeping toolkit.

Do I Have to Keep A Homeschool Portfolio?

Research Your State's Requirements

Every state dances to its own rhythm. While some states might require homeschool portfolios, others might be attendance records and grades.  Some require evaluation by a certified teacher or standardized testing. It's essential to twirl with the guidelines of your area to ensure you're on the right track.

Some states offer several different options.  For your first year or two, I recommend being more thorough.  Keep an attendance record.  Just as simple as putting a star on a calendar on school days or using a simple printable like this one.

Keep more than you think you need to start. Take photos of all field trips to save with your written curriculum. Take photos and videos of art projects, language lessons for littles, and track P.E. time if required for your state. When in doubt, document it. You can always toss out things you discover you don't need, but it's hard to prove things if you didn't save them to start.

A file box is a great option for that first year while you sort out what you really need. Just use one per child and once you know you don't need something, toss it out – just take a photo and save to an album if its something you want to save without the clutter.

If you have to turn it in annually to an evaluator, I recommend only turning over the minimum required. You can always pull something from your own records that they need if asked.

What Items Should Be Included in My Homeschool Portfolio?

Every homeschooling family is unique, so each portfolio will look different. Think of it like making a snowflake; no two are ever the same. And your own portfolio system will evolve over the years as your child grows and your curriculum changes.

Review Your State's Laws for What to Include in Your Child's Portfolio

Your state might have specific rules that are different from mine, but here's a general idea of what goes into a good, solid portfolio.

  • Cover Page: This should include basic information on the student & the school year, such as full name, academic year, and grade level.
  • Table of Contents: This generally isn't needed but I often use one as a checklist to make sure I have everything I need/want to include.
  • Attendance Records or Chart: Specifics about days and possibly hours, as required by law.
  • Standardized Test Results: Specific test scores, possibly required by state law.
  • Subject Record: List of summaries and curriculum used for each.
  • Record of Online Learning: If you do any online courses, print off your certificates of completion.
  • Book Lists: A simple list of books read throughout the school year, for both pleasure and assigned reading.
  • Brochures, Ticket Stubs, Flyers, or Other Field Trip Memorabilia: Souvenirs from learning adventures.
  • List of Achievements: Awards, certificates, or community service recognition.
  • Photographs: Snapshots of the learning journey.
  • Report Cards: Scorecards showing progress in each subject.
  • Select Samples of Work: Include a few samples of their work to show progress.
  • Legal Documents Required by Your State: Including medical records, letters of intent, and vaccine records/exemptions.
  • Portfolio Evaluation: A professional's insights and feedback on the student's progress. This is only required in some states & is typically added to your portfolio AFTER showing it to your portfolio reviewer.

What Does a Homeschool Portfolio Look Like?

Oh, the wonders of personalization! So, what should a homeschool portfolio look like? Well, it's much like designing your dream bedroom; you get to decide!

Want to keep it simple and neat? Go ahead and tuck everything into an accordion folder. If you're someone who loves to keep things super organized, a three-ring binder with dividers might be your jam. It's like having a special shelf for all your favorite toys.

Feel like getting artsy? You can decorate your binder with stickers, drawings, or even special notes to make it uniquely yours. It's like putting up posters of your favorite bands or painting a mural on your wall.

And if you're living in the fast lane of the digital world, guess what? Your homeschool portfolio can go digital, too! Platforms like Evernote and Notion allow you to create a free digital homeschool portfolio.

Take into account your personal style as well as your personality. I LOVE to make things all pretty and hyper-organized…for a short period and then I get bored and lose my system. Knowing this about myself, I start by being boring & just collecting what I need. Once I have the must-do taken care of, I organize it all in a way that makes me happy & then decorate with the spoons I have available.

Whether it's as plain as vanilla ice cream or as dazzling as a rainbow cake, whether it's a tangible binder or a sleek digital file, your homeschool portfolio can be anything you want it to be. You have the freedom to choose what's perfect for you. It's your learning journey, after all, so why not make it reflect your own sparkling personality? Happy creating!

Assembling a Homeschool Portfolio: A Step-by-Step Guide

We've gone over what to put it your portfolio & some types of portfolios you can make, but maybe you are like I was and need a step-by-step guide this first time to take away some of the overwhelm?

Gather Your Supplies

3-Ring Binder: This is probably the best method if you will be sharing for a portfolio review. It's also the easiest if you want it both organized and decorated.

Dividers with Pockets: Dividers with pockets are great for homeschool portfolios. They help you organize subjects and keep loose items like notes or small artwork safe. The pockets give you extra storage without needing to glue or staple things, making your portfolio look neat and professional. Overall, dividers with pockets make your homeschool portfolio more organized and appealing.

Page Protectors/Laminator Sheets: You can use page protectors, laminate pages, or a combination of the two. I'm extremely fond of my laminator, so I lean that way more often than not, but until I got one I slid anything important into page protectors.

Gather Samples of Work

For each subject, try to include 3 samples of work: one from the beginning of the year, one from mid-year, and one from the end. Label your samples with the student's name, date, subject, and curriculum it came from. Try to label things as they are done so you aren't trying to remember months later or dig to find the information somewhere.

Gather Pictures & Certificates

Pictures can illustrate growth and exploration, so be sure to include them. You can include pictures of craft activities, field trips, and photos of work completed. You should also include certificates from any online classes taken and co-op courses.

Include Example Art Projects

If your child has engaged in art, include examples. These add variety and showcase creativity. For flat-lay projects, you can include the actual artwork. For things that are too large, you can take a photo or two to include instead.

Include Extracurriculars

Remember to include any extracurricular activities your child has participated in, such as sports or arts. Any volunteer work they've done on their own or as a family activity. We include some of the places we've visited as the kids learn about the history & culture of every place we go. These add depth to the overall picture of their education.

Label Your Subject Dividers

Labeling your subject dividers will make the portfolio easy to navigate, allowing anyone to quickly find what they're looking for. You'll need one divider for each subject you are including. If you are able, check with your evaluator or oversight teacher to see what all subjects you are required to list.

Create a Cover Page for Each Subject

For each subject, type up a cover page to provide a clear introduction. Your cover page should say the subject, grade level, any curriculum used, and a brief scope of what they learned in that subject.

Put It All Together

Compile everything. Add the dividers and cover pages. Then add in all your required material. If you are required to include anything extra as part of a divorce or other legal proceeding, you can use another divider tab to make that section easy to find.

Decorate the Cover

Make the cover as plain or as decorated as you want. If you have to show it to an evaluator, I promise they aren't going to care if it is a plain white binder or an exquisitely decorated cover. Personally, I like to print off a simple but cute cover so I can see at a glance which portfolio belongs to which child.

Make a free digital homeschool portfolio

Creating a free digital portfolio is an efficient way to manage and store educational records while cutting clutter and saving space in your house. Using platforms like Evernote or Notion, you can easily organize documents, track progress, and compile a comprehensive record of a student's work.

Evernote is known for its user-friendly interface, allowing for straightforward categorization and storage. Notion offers more customization with its versatile templates, suitable for tailoring the portfolio according to individual needs.

You can even buy Notion templates designed for a homeschool portfolio, further simplifying the process. Whether you choose Evernote for its simplicity or Notion for its adaptability, both platforms provide practical solutions for digital record-keeping in a homeschool environment.

Why Should I Create a Detailed Portfolio if My State's Requirements Are Minimal?

You may find yourself in a state where the requirements for a homeschool portfolio are minimal or you aren't required to show one, but that doesn't mean you should limit what you include. Think of the homeschool portfolio not merely as a compliance tool but as a rich treasure holding cherished memories of your child's educational journey.

A comprehensive portfolio can serve as a beautiful keepsake that captures your child's growth, milestones, and even the challenges they've overcome. From their first successful math problem to their insightful book report, each piece is a precious memory that celebrates their learning.

Beyond fulfilling legal requirements, this portfolio can also be a powerful tool for reflection, motivation, and preparation for the future. By including more information, you provide a well-rounded picture of their abilities and interests. Children take pride in their accomplishments, and seeing their progress collected in one place can boost their confidence.

Even if it's not required now, having a well-documented portfolio could be beneficial in the future. If you ever move to a state with more stringent requirements or decide to transition your child into a traditional public school, having a thorough record may ease those processes. Creating a more detailed homeschool portfolio is an investment in your child's education, a treasure trove that will always shine with the precious moments of their homeschooling journey.

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8 Comments

    1. Thanks for stopping by! I’ll have to check out your homeschool supply list to make sure I’m not forgetting anything before I hit the stores this week!

  1. Savannah, Great article on homeschooling notebook! I’d like permission to copy the article to share with my education blog readers. I’d give you full credit, of course. Please contact me through my email to let me know your decision.

    1. Paddy,

      Feel free to link to the post & include one image with a summary of the post, but please do not copy the content of the post as Google frowns on duplicate content.

  2. This was our second year homeschooling, and I have papers spilling everywhere right now just waiting to be put in their binder. Why didn’t I think of doing it as we go? What a simple and brilliant suggestion that I plan to use next year. Pinned!

  3. We’re in Iowa too! Just moved here in September and we are starting our first year of homeschooling. Thank you for the tips!