Bayside, Princess Anne and Ocean Lakes high schools began the month of April serving as participants in a new pilot program, which makes electronic transcripts (eTranscripts) available to students via the academic records company, Parchment.

The free, online service allows students or parents to request an official high school transcript and send it to a college or university of choice in just a few clicks, making the application process easier for high school students. Because it’s online, transcript requests can be processed faster and students can track their requests at any time.

For high school counselors, specifically, this new system will ease demands on their office, freeing more time to work with students one-on-one to help them determine post-graduation goals.

Parchment sends transcripts securely, accurately and confidentially to more than 2,600 colleges or universities. Additional information, such as letters of recommendation can also be sent electronically.

Right now, Bayside, Princess Anne and Ocean Lakes are piloting the program. If successfully implemented, eTranscripts will be available to all high schools beginning in the fall of 2015.