Credentials: Diplomas, certificates, IDs, and more

_In the app: `/credentials`_

Credentials is the hub for every document a homeschool family needs: parent-issued diplomas, course-completion certificates, student photo IDs with public QR verification, a Common App school profile, and AI-assisted letters of recommendation. All Family plan members get access to all credentials. Trial families see watermarked PDFs and can buy individual clean versions (like a $19 diploma) to try before subscribing.

How to

Create a diploma

Go to Credentials › Diplomas.
Click a student's name under "Issue a new diploma." If no students exist, add one first under Settings › Students.
You'll land in the Edit diploma page. Pick a template: Classical (includes state-regulations language) or Modern (clean, simple layout). You can switch templates anytime.
Fill in the diploma fields: student name, school name, diploma type (defaults to "High School Diploma" but editable), graduation date, honors designation (optional), and issued location (optional).
Add signatures: parent signature name and role (defaults to "Supervising Parent"), date signed, and optionally a secondary signer (spouse, co-op admin, witness, etc.) with their role.
Click "Generate PDF" (for Family plan members) or "Download watermarked preview" (if on trial). Watermarked trial PDFs let you see the full layout; Family plan and $19 purchased clean PDFs are print-ready.
Your diploma is now saved as a draft. Edit anytime before printing.

Buy a clean diploma PDF ($19 for trial users)

In the Edit diploma page, look for the yellow button: "Get clean PDF — $19."
Click it. You'll be sent to Stripe checkout.
Complete payment with your card. After checkout, you'll return to the diploma page and can download the clean (unwatermarked) PDF.
The $19 purchase is a one-time fee for that single diploma only. Family plan subscribers get unlimited clean credentials included.

Create a certificate (course completion or award)

Go to Credentials › Certificates.
Under "Issue a new certificate," the form shows two options: certificate type and student.
Pick a certificate type: "Course completion," "Achievement," "Reading milestone," "Perfect attendance," or "Custom."
Pick a student.
If you chose "Course completion" and want to link it to an enrollment, you can select one from the list (e.g., "Math · 2024-2025").
Click a button to create the certificate. You'll land on the Edit certificate page.
Customize the title, subtitle (optional), body text, issue date, and signature details. Defaults are sensible starting points.
Click "Generate PDF" when ready. Your certificate is saved and ready to edit or download anytime.

Create a student ID with photo

Go to Credentials › Student IDs.
Click a student's name under "Issue a student ID."
You'll land on the Edit student ID page. Add a photo: click the photo area and upload a JPEG/PNG/WebP (max 4MB).
Customize the ID fields: student name, school name, grade level (optional), date of birth, issue date, expiration date, and status.
Scroll down to see the QR verification URL — it's public and shows only the student name, school, grade, and expiration date (no photo or DOB).
Click "Generate PDF" to download a print-ready CR80 card template (or PDF template for home printing).
You can revoke an ID anytime in the row actions menu (three dots) if a card is lost or the student graduates.

Set up the school profile for college applications

Go to Credentials › School profile.
The page shows auto-filled facts from your family settings: school name, state, pedagogy, worldview, primary parent, and enrollment summary. These can't be changed here — edit them in Settings › Family if needed.
Fill in the editable fields: Philosophy (your homeschool's educational approach), Curriculum overview (auto-fills from your active enrollments but you can customize), Evaluation method (how you assess student progress), and Diploma requirements (graduation criteria).
Click "Generate PDF" when ready. The PDF is a one-page document ready to send with college applications.
Changes auto-save as you type.

Draft an AI-assisted letter of recommendation

Go to Credentials › Letters of recommendation.
Click a student's name to start a new letter.
You'll land on the Draft recommendation letter page. Fill in the input form: recipient type (specific school, open letter, scholarship committee, or other), recipient name, student and parent info, years teaching, credentials you hold, subjects taught, specific anecdotes (50+ characters required), character traits with examples, and any additional context.
Click "Generate draft" (AI uses your input to write 300-450 words; you're capped at 3 regenerations per letter during trial, unlimited for Family plan).
Read the AI draft. You can edit it directly in the textarea below, or click "Generate draft again" for a new take (counts as 1 regen).
When satisfied, click "Finalize." This locks the letter and marks it as ready to export. You can un-finalize anytime to edit again.
Click "Generate PDF" to download the finalized letter. The PDF shows your name as the author — you're responsible for the final content.

Create a verification letter (enrollment proof)

Go to Credentials › Verification letters.
Click a student's name under "New verification letter."
You'll land on the Edit verification letter page. The student name and your school name are pre-filled.
Optionally add a recipient name and organization (e.g., "Jane Smith · Daycares Plus") and a purpose (e.g., "Enrollment verification for dual-enrollment").
Customize the letter body if needed (defaults to enrollment language).
Click "Generate PDF" to download a signed letter on your homeschool letterhead.
Letters are saved as drafts. Edit anytime before generating the final PDF.

Build and export parent teaching credentials

Go to Credentials › Parent teaching credentials.
Click "Edit credentials" next to the parent whose credentials you want to document.
Fill in: education (degrees, institutions, years), teaching experience (roles, organizations, date ranges), subject specialties, continuing education (workshops, courses), and certifications narrative.
Below, the page shows any teaching-credential documents you've uploaded to your family Documents under "Supporting documents on file."
Click "Generate PDF" to create a one-page credentials document. The PDF combines your narrative with your uploaded credentials.
Changes auto-save. You can edit anytime.

Verify a student ID using the QR code

Print a student ID card (or show the PDF on screen).
Scan the QR code on the back with any phone camera or QR reader.
You'll be taken to a public verification page showing the student name, school, grade (if set), and expiration date.
The page displays "Active" with the expiration date if the ID is current, or the revocation status if the ID has been revoked.
Photo and date of birth never appear on the public page — only enrollment proof.

Understand the trial-to-paid transition for credentials

On trial, all credentials generate with a watermark. You can see the full layout but the PDF is labeled "Preview."
For a single credential, you can buy a clean PDF (e.g., $19 for a diploma) without subscribing.
To get all credentials clean and unlimited, upgrade to the Family plan.
Once you subscribe, all new and existing credentials generate clean, and the Family plan includes every credential type (diplomas, certificates, IDs, etc.).

Options & settings

Template choice for diplomas (Classical or Modern) — can switch anytime
Diploma type (defaults to "High School Diploma" but customizable)
Honors designation (optional field on diplomas)
Secondary signer on diplomas (optional co-signer, role, witness, etc.)
Certificate type (Completion, Achievement, Reading milestone, Perfect attendance, Custom)
Enrollment link on certificates (optional auto-fill of course name from your enrollments)
Student ID expiration date, issue date, and status (optional grade level)
Recipient and purpose on verification letters (both optional)
School profile sections: Philosophy, Curriculum overview, Evaluation method, Diploma requirements
Parent credentials: Education entries, experience entries, subject specialties, continuing education, certifications note
Recommendation letter recipient type (specific school, open, scholarship committee, other) and AI regen budget

Common questions

Are these documents official or legally recognized?

Diplomas, certificates, student IDs, and school profiles are parent-issued. They are not issued by an accredited institution. Most colleges and employers accept parent-issued diplomas alongside a transcript; state laws vary, so check your state's homeschool regulations. Student IDs are useful for student-discount programs, libraries, and dual-enrollment paperwork but are not government-issued ID. Verification letters are proof of enrollment only — they state the student is enrolled at your homeschool.

What happens to my watermarked trial diplomas after I subscribe?

Trial diplomas are watermarked as previews. Once you buy the $19 clean version or subscribe to Family plan, that diploma (and all future credentials) generate clean. Existing watermarked trial PDFs remain as they are — old files don't retroactively change. Re-download them from the diploma edit page after your purchase or subscription.

Can I edit a credential after I generate the PDF?

Yes. All credentials are saved as drafts and editable anytime. Simply go to the credential row and click "Edit," make your changes, and click "Generate PDF" again. PDFs are generated fresh each time, so you can always make updates before printing or sending.

How does the AI recommendation letter work, and what are the constraints?

You provide concrete information about the student (name, grade, achievements) and yourself (credentials, teaching relationship, anecdotes). The AI generates a 300-450 word draft letter. You edit it, finalize it, and export a PDF with your name as the author. The AI is constrained to avoid fabricated GPAs, false accreditation claims, and peer-comparison superlatives. You always edit before finalizing; the system enforces a separate finalize step before PDF export. Trial families get 3 AI drafts per letter (unlimited for Family plan).

Who can see the QR code on a student ID when scanned?

The QR code on the back of a student ID resolves to a public verification page. Anyone with a QR scanner can see: student name, school name, grade level (if set), and expiration date. The page does NOT show the student's photo, date of birth, or any other sensitive data. You can revoke an ID anytime, which changes the page status to "Revoked."

Can I use these credentials to claim ESA reimbursement?

Some ESA programs accept homeschool documentation. Parent teaching credentials are often required by NY/PA oversight and may be accepted by ESA programs as proof of qualified instruction. Verification letters can serve as enrollment proof for ESA program offices. Check your specific ESA program's documentation requirements — policies vary by state and program. Always say the credential is "ESA-eligible," never that it's "ESA-approved" or "guaranteed."

Good to know

Trial watermarks: All trial-tier PDFs are watermarked as previews. Buying a $19 clean version (e.g., one diploma) unlocks clean for only that credential — other trial credentials remain watermarked. Upgrade to Family plan for all credentials clean.
Diploma state clause (Classical template only): The Classical template includes a "regulations of the State of [your state]" clause based on your family's state setting. If you don't set a state or leave it blank, the diploma omits this clause.
Recommendation letter AI cap: Trial families get 3 AI draft regenerations per letter. Each "Generate draft" or "Generate draft again" counts as 1. After 3, you cannot generate new drafts — edit the existing one or create a new letter (each new letter gets 3 regens). Family plan has unlimited regens.
Finalization gates PDF export on recommendation letters: You must click "Finalize" before the system allows you to export a PDF. If finalized, you can un-finalize to edit again, then re-finalize and export.
Student ID photo limit: Photos must be under 4MB. JPEG, PNG, and WebP accepted.
School profile auto-fill: The Curriculum overview section auto-fills from your active enrollments but is fully editable. If you have no enrollments or want custom text, clear it and type your own.
Verification letter letterhead: Verification letters print on your homeschool letterhead as defined in your family settings. Customize letterhead before generating if needed.
Parent credentials documents: The editor shows teaching-credential documents you've uploaded under Family › Documents. Only documents tagged as "teaching_credential" appear. Upload new docs there if needed.
QR verification is public and unauthenticated: Anyone can scan the QR code on a student ID. The verification page is discoverable but doesn't list all students — it's only accessible via the token URL.

Plans

All credentials (Diplomas, Certificates, School profile, Student IDs, Verification letters, Recommendation letters, Parent credentials) are exclusive to Family plan. Trial families can see and use the feature but PDFs are watermarked. Trial families can purchase individual clean PDFs (e.g., $19 for a diploma) without subscribing. Family plan tier includes unlimited clean credentials. Co-op families have full access (credentials + clean PDFs) through their co-op's subscription.