A school profile is a 1-2 page document that provides colleges with context about your homeschool's educational philosophy, curriculum, grading system, and graduation requirements.
What is a School Profile?
A school profile gives college admissions officers the context they need to fairly evaluate a student's academic record. Traditional high schools submit profiles describing their demographics, course offerings, and grading scales. Homeschoolers need the same document, but describing their unique educational environment instead. The profile answers questions admissions officers can't answer from a transcript alone: What does an A mean in this homeschool? What courses were available? How rigorous was the curriculum? When a student from Generic High School applies, admissions officers can look up that school's reputation. Your homeschool doesn't have that established context—the school profile creates it.
Key Takeaways
- Required for Common Application submissions—uploaded through the parent/counselor account
- Should be 1-2 pages maximum, factual and professional in tone
- Must include grading scale, graduation requirements, and curriculum providers
- Focus on the educational environment, not the individual student
Essential Sections to Include
Essential Sections to Include
- Homeschool history and philosophy
When you started, why you homeschool, your educational approach (classical, Charlotte Mason, etc.)
- Curriculum providers and resources
List major programs used with brief descriptions and accreditation status if applicable
- Grading scale and policies
Letter grade to percentage conversion, GPA weighting for honors/AP/dual enrollment
- Graduation requirements
Credits required by subject area, mirroring or exceeding state standards
- Outside resources
Co-ops, dual enrollment, tutors, or online courses with context about teacher interaction
Sample Grading Scale
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The school profile should describe your homeschool as an educational institution, not advocate for your individual student. Save the personal narrative for the counselor letter and application essays. Keep the tone objective and factual—admissions officers read thousands of applications and appreciate concise, clear information. Don't apologize for homeschooling or disparage traditional schools. Simply present your educational choices professionally. And only use the "AP" designation if courses were from College Board-approved providers; otherwise, describe courses as "advanced" or "college preparatory."
The Bottom Line
A well-crafted school profile legitimizes your homeschool in the eyes of admissions officers who may never have evaluated a homeschool application before. The document should be professional, concise, and informative—think of it as your homeschool's resume. Include everything an admissions officer would learn about a traditional high school: what's taught, how it's graded, and what graduation requires. Submit it through your Common App counselor account along with the transcript and school report. Taking time to create a thorough profile now saves explanation later.
