Homeschooling in South Carolina: what the state requires
The rules for homeschooling in South Carolina, in plain English, from the state’s own sources.
Checked October 1, 2026 against official South Carolina sources. State page: South Carolina Department of Education — Home Schooling. Compulsory school age: 5 to 17 (from the school year in which the child is five before September 1 until the 17th birthday; parents may sign a written election to waive kindergarten).
Option 1: Home school approved by the local school district (§59-65-40)
The district board of trustees approves the home school. Students take the annual statewide tests, and the parent keeps records and gives the district a semiannual progress report.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. Application to and approval by the board of trustees of the district where the child resides, under the district's application process. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, composition, literature — Reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies; composition and literature in grades 7-12. |
| Days | 180 days — Instructional year of at least 180 days. |
| Hours | 180 days of at least 4.5 hours. — Instructional day of at least four and one-half hours, excluding lunch and recesses. |
| Testing or evaluation | Required every year. Students participate in the annual statewide testing program and the Basic Skills Assessment Program approved by the State Board of Education, administered by a certified school district employee, with public school students or by special arrangement. |
| Records | Required. Kept for inspection: plan book, diary or other written record of subjects taught and activities; portfolio of samples of the student's academic work; record of evaluations. Semiannual progress report to the district including attendance records and individualized assessments. |
| Teacher | Parent holds at least a high school diploma or GED (statute also references passing the basic skills examination), or a baccalaureate degree. |
| Other | Students must have access to library facilities. |
By grade
Subjects by grade: Reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies; composition and literature in grades 7-12.
High school and graduation
SCDE: only accredited public SC high schools issue a SC high school diploma; home school diplomas are issued by the parent or, in some cases, the home school association.
Official sources:
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: Statute references a basic skills examination for diploma/GED-holding parents and the 'Basic Skills Assessment Program'; how these are applied today was not confirmed on an official page. No statutory score-consequence confirmed.
Option 2: Membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (§59-65-45)
Bona fide membership in, and continuing compliance with the academic standards of, the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) exempts the home school from district approval.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. Membership in SCAIHS (no district approval). |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, composition, literature — Composition and literature in grades 7-12. |
| Days | 180 days — Instructional year of at least 180 days. |
| Hours | No hours stated in §59-65-45. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No state testing in §59-65-45; association standards apply. |
| Records | No records specified in §59-65-45; association standards apply. |
| Teacher | Parent holds at least a high school diploma or GED. |
By grade
Subjects by grade: Composition and literature in grades 7-12.
High school and graduation
Diploma issued by the parent or the home school association (SCDE).
Official sources:
Option 3: Membership in a home school association with at least 50 members (§59-65-47)
Parents may teach at home as members of a home school association with no fewer than fifty members, following the statutory academic and record-keeping standards.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. Membership in a qualifying association of no fewer than 50 members (no district approval). |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, composition, literature — Composition and literature in grades 7-12. |
| Days | 180 days — Instructional year of at least 180 days. |
| Hours | No hours stated in §59-65-47. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No state testing in §59-65-47. |
| Records | Required. Plan book, diary or other record of subjects taught and activities; portfolio of samples of the student's academic work; semiannual progress report including attendance records and individualized documentation of academic progress. |
| Teacher | Parent holds at least a high school diploma or GED. |
By grade
Subjects by grade: Composition and literature in grades 7-12.
High school and graduation
Diploma issued by the parent or, in some cases, the association (SCDE).
Official sources:
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: To whom the semiannual progress report goes (association) not confirmed verbatim.
High school: the public-school diploma as a guide
Optional for homeschools in most states, but the credit plan most colleges and employers recognize, and a sound default for a homeschool transcript. Shown in the subject areas this site uses.
| English | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 4.0 |
| Science Sciences 3 | 3.0 |
| Social Studies U.S. History 1; Economics 0.5; Government 0.5; Other Social Studies 1; Personal Finance 0.5 | 3.5 |
| Physical Education & Health PE/JROTC/Marching Band with PE 1 | 1.0 |
| Technology Computer Science 1 | 1.0 |
| Electives World Language or CTE Elective 1; Electives 6.5 | 7.5 |
| Total | 24.0 |
|---|
Requirements beginning with the entering freshman class of 2023-24 (Reg. 43-234). Also: take the USCIS civics test, pass a classroom exam on the U.S. Constitution and founding documents, and pass a science course with an end-of-course exam.
Source: SCDE — High School Courses and Requirements
After graduation: what to plan for
Suggestions from Homeschool Corral, not state rules. Most families keep the college path open through 10th grade, then narrow.
- 4 English, 4 math (through Algebra II, pre-calculus if they can), 3–4 science with 2 labs, 3–4 social studies, 2–3 years of one foreign language, 1 fine arts
- A one-paragraph description for every high-school course; the parent signs the transcript and diploma
- PSAT in 10th and 11th; SAT or ACT by spring of 11th; dual credit, AP or CLEP where it fits
- A log of activities, service and work from 9th grade; two adults who can recommend them
- A Scholarship Finder profile by 11th grade; FAFSA when it opens in the fall of 12th
- A diploma and transcript with 4 English, 3 math, 3 science, 3 social studies; applied math every year
- Dual-credit career and technical courses in 11th–12th; OSHA 10 and first aid/CPR; a driver’s license
- Real projects and a part-time job logged as credits, with references; visit the union hall about pre-apprenticeships in 11th
- A parent-issued diploma and full transcript, signed and dated; recruiters ask for both
- Strong reading and arithmetic for the entrance test; a practice ASVAB in 11th
- Physical fitness as a logged course; service and leadership; for an academy or ROTC, the college list plus the SAT/ACT early
- The diploma and transcript anyway; personal finance and business basics as credits
- Work experience logged with hours and a reference from 10th grade; typing, spreadsheets, a clear email
- Keep the college path open: a foreign language and Algebra II cost little now
My Homeschool turns these into a checklist for each child, with the credits recorded in Transcripts counted against the plan.
SCDE: co-ops are not one of the three approved options. Home school credits are not automatically accepted by public schools; districts place returning students.
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
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