GradLedgerQuick answer: To track homeschool hours, record the date, the course and the time spent each day (or each week). Add up the hours per course and divide by your credit standard, usually 120 hours per credit (150 to 180 for lab sciences), to get the credits to put on the transcript. GradLedger keeps the log, does the totals and prints it as a PDF.
How to use the hours tracker
- Add the year's courses. Type a course name and grade in "Add a course", or add them on the Courses tab. Common courses fill in their subject automatically.
- Log time as you go. Pick the date and course, enter hours and minutes, and add a short note such as "Chapter 4 reading" or "Lab 3: osmosis". The last course you used stays selected.
- Watch the totals. "Totals by course" shows logged hours and the credits they equal at your standard (120, 135, 150, 180 or a custom number of hours).
- Award the credit. When a course is finished, press "Set to…" to copy the earned credits (rounded down to a quarter credit) onto the transcript, or type your own number on the Courses tab.
- Print or export. Download the hours log as a PDF for your records, or export a CSV to open in a spreadsheet.
What to record
| Field | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Date | Shows the work was spread across the school year. |
| Course | Hours add up per course and become that course's credit. |
| Time | Hours and minutes; even 20-minute sessions add up. |
| Note | The chapter, lab, book or project. Notes make course descriptions much easier to write later. |
Daily or weekly logging?
Either works. Daily entries are the most accurate and take a few seconds each. If daily logging won't happen, enter a weekly total per course every Friday. What matters is a record made during the year rather than estimated afterwards.
Hours and state requirements
Homeschool laws differ a lot between states. A few set a minimum number of instruction days or hours per year or ask families to keep attendance or hours records; many don't. This tracker is a record-keeping tool, not legal advice, so check your own state's homeschool law for what you need to keep.
Your log stays on your device
Entries are saved in this browser only. Nothing is uploaded and there's no account, so download a backup (Settings & backup tab) from time to time. The backup file holds every student, course and log entry and can be restored on another computer. To see how hours become credits, read how many hours is a homeschool credit.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours should a homeschool high schooler do per course?
A common benchmark is 120 hours per credit, about 40 minutes a day over a 36-week year, and 150 to 180 hours for lab sciences. A half-credit course needs half that.
Can I log hours on my phone?
Yes. The tracker works in any modern phone browser. Entries are saved in that browser, so log on the same device, or move your records with a backup file.
Can I export my hours to a spreadsheet?
Yes. Export CSV gives one row per entry with the date, course, grade level, minutes, hours and note, ready for Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets.
Does logging hours change the transcript automatically?
Logged hours show next to each course with the credits they equal. The credit on the transcript changes only when you press Set to… or edit it, so you stay in control.
What if I forgot to log some days?
Add the entries afterwards with the correct dates, or add one entry with the total for the week. Keep notes honest; the log is your record.
More homeschool record tools
Last updated · Written by the MiniTools team. GradLedger is general information and a record-keeping tool, not legal advice. Homeschool laws and college requirements vary; check your state's rules and each college's admissions requirements.