The school must comply with the independent study regulations which require work samples for each student. Each grade K-8 student’s portfolio shall contain one sample per semester per subject: History, English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Elective (Life Skills or Special Interest). Five samples total will be collected. The samples must show the student’s own best work in the student’s own writing.

What needs to be on the portfolio sample:

(Read this carefully...if anything on this list is missing, your sample will be denied and you will have to resubmit a new sample)

1. Student First AND Last Name enrolled with

2. SCHOOL DATE that it was completed INCLUDING THE YEAR. See school dates to choose from HERE. Holidays, Non-Student Days and weekend dates will NOT be accepted so please make sure you are writing a SCHOOL DATE shown on that calendar The date on the sample MUST match the school date you enter into My Springs.

3. A handwritten evaluative mark, grade or comment - a percentage score, a teacher comment (ie: “Great Job”) or points (8/10, +8…)

4. Only samples written or completed by your student and shows student work is acceptable. No dictated or parent written samples can be submitted for any grade level!

The number of items in a student's portfolio must contain: 

• One sample for each growth area covered per semester (Language Arts, Math, History, Science, and Elective which can be either a Life Skills or Special Interest). 

Portfolio Information (Links to Documents/Video):  

Portfolio Sample Information - Instructions on how to select appropriate samples to upload into your portfolio

Online Portfolio Instructions  - All instructions on how to submit them in My Springs

Video Instructions on How to Upload Samples - Please note: the new time value requirement described below is not shown in this video

What to Enter Online in My Springs When Uploading:

1. When uploading your sample in My Springs, you will be asked to select the date the sample was completed. Make sure it matches the date you wrote on the sample or it will be denied.

2. You will be asked if the grade is on the work sample. Please be sure to write a grade on the sample and select "yes".

3. You will be asked to enter a time value for the lesson. This time value includes how many minutes the LESSON AND WORKSHEET took to complete. 

Information for Elective Samples:

If you would like to use a PE Log for your Elective Sample, the following log must be written by the student not the parent, including the name, grade, daily activities, minutes spent daily, total minutes and questions that follow. This is not required. You are welcome to use artwork, a foreign language worksheet, typing sample or other Elective sample that shows student work.

Blank P.E. Log - With no dates. Use the last date on the log for your "Date Completed"

P.E. Log for Fall 2025-26 - Use this log in the Fall with dates

P.E. Log for Spring 2025-26 - Use this log in the Spring with dates

If you would like to use a photo of an Elective activity that your student engaged in or a photo of an Elective project completed by the student, the photo MUST be submitted on the following sheet. This can only be done for the Elective Sample only, NOT for ELA, Math, Science, or History/Social Studies.

• Digital Portfolio Photo Sample Sheet - You will be asked to make a copy so that you have access to your own copy that can be edited or printed. Use this one to add a photo and information digitally.

• Blank Photo Sample Sheet - Print this one if you plan to physically write on the sheet and add a photo to it before submitting it.

Important things to keep in mind!

• Math - I cannot accept a math sample with only answers on it. It must show the problems as well. A photo of the page with the problems can be submitted along with the student's work and answers as long as the students' work is clearly numbered so we can see which problems they are solving.

• K-Grade 1 students who do not yet write - All work submitted must be in the students' own writing or be their own work so select worksheets and activities they were able to complete on their own.

• ALL samples need the above required elements (first and last name, school date including the year, grade/evaluative mark) - Even a photo of artwork, PE Logs ...EVERY SAMPLE or it will be denied.

• Every subject must have a sample - If your curriculum does not have science or history planned right now,  you will need to add a lesson to make sure you have a sample for every subject. Super Teacher Worksheets is an easy place to find samples for all subject areas for every grade level. Your login info can be found on the General Info Sheet in your Family Folder (link).

• Blurry samples will be denied - Make sure you look at your submission to check that it is clear and legible.

• Samples must be from non-religious curriculum even if the publisher's name is not showing.