A high school transcript is the official record of every course a student has taken, the final grades and credits earned, and usually GPA, attendance or graduation status. Colleges, scholarship programs, the military and some employers request it. Families should check it at least once a year for errors, because a missing credit or wrong grade is much easier to fix early than during application season.
What a transcript usually shows
- Student name, school, dates of attendance and expected graduation date.
- Every course by year or term, with its level (standard, honors, AP, IB, dual enrollment) if the school marks it.
- Final grades and credits earned for each course. Some schools also show semester grades.
- Cumulative GPA, weighted, unweighted or both. See weighted vs unweighted GPA.
- Sometimes class rank, standardized test scores, attendance, or graduation requirements completed.
- Courses taken elsewhere, such as summer school, online courses, credit recovery or credits from a previous school.
What appears varies by school and state. Many schools do not show class rank, and AP or SAT scores are often not on the transcript at all.
Unofficial vs official
An unofficial transcript is a copy a student or parent can view or print, often through the school portal. An official transcript is sent directly by the school, sometimes electronically, and is what colleges and others usually require. Schools may have a process, a form or a small fee for official copies. The counseling or registrar office handles requests.
Who looks at it and why
- Colleges look at the courses chosen, grades, trends over time and rigor relative to what the school offers. Our guide to AP classes explains how rigor is often viewed.
- Community colleges may use it for placement.
- Scholarship programs may require a minimum GPA or specific courses.
- Employers and the military sometimes ask for proof of graduation.
- A new school uses it to place a student who transfers. See switching schools mid-year.
How to check it each year
- Request an unofficial copy at the end of each school year.
- Compare it with report cards. Look for missing classes, wrong grades or credits listed as zero.
- Confirm course levels are labeled correctly if your school marks honors or AP.
- Check outside credits from summer school, online courses or dual enrollment have been posted.
- Match it against graduation requirements so there are no surprises senior year. See graduation requirements.
If something is wrong
Contact the counselor or registrar in writing, explain the error clearly, and attach proof such as a report card or a grade report from the other school. Keep copies of everything. Most clerical errors are easy to correct if caught early. If a credit from another school or program is missing, ask that school to send an official record directly, since the high school may not post it without one. A grade dispute about how a teacher graded is a different matter and usually starts with the teacher, then follows the school’s grade appeal process. Our guide to working with the school counselor helps with that conversation.
Telling the story behind the record
A transcript is just numbers and course names. If there was a hard year due to illness, a family crisis or a move, applications often have space to explain it, and the counselor may address it in a recommendation. A clear upward trend also speaks for itself. Decisions about what to share are worth discussing with the counselor.
Where a mentor helps
Mentors are not admissions counselors and do not manage records. A mentor helps a student own their record: knowing where they stand on credits, checking the portal regularly, and following up on errors themselves, which is good practice for self-advocacy. Parents get regular progress updates. See mentoring for high school students or the summer before senior year.
Related
- Weighted vs unweighted GPA
- Choosing high school classes
- A senior year plan
- Junior year of high school
Common questions
Do middle school grades go on the high school transcript?
Usually not, though some schools list high school credit courses taken in middle school, such as Algebra I. Ask your school how it handles them.
Are AP exam scores on the transcript?
Usually not. AP scores are typically reported separately, while the class grade appears on the transcript.
How do I get an official transcript?
Request it through the school counseling or registrar office, often using an online system. Allow time before any deadline.
Can a grade on the transcript be changed?
Clerical errors can usually be corrected with documentation. Changing a teacher’s grade follows the school’s grade appeal process, which varies.
Get started
Want help keeping your teen on top of grades and credits? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.