How to start homeschooling in South Carolina
Everything South Carolina asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the state’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.
Step 0: choose how you’ll homeschool
South Carolina gives families 3 legal ways to homeschool. Each has its own steps below. Choose one to see its steps.
Home school approved by the local school district: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
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.
Required school ages in South Carolina: 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). Teacher qualification for this option: Parent holds at least a high school diploma or GED (statute also references passing the basic skills examination), or a baccalaureate degree.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. South Carolina also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
What it includes: Application to and approval by the board of trustees of the district where the child resides, under the district's application process.
Plan your school year: days and hours
South Carolina sets a minimum.
Instructional year of at least 180 days. Instructional day of at least four and one-half hours, excluding lunch and recesses.
Cover the required subjects
Reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, composition, literature.
Reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies; composition and literature in grades 7-12.
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.
Keep the records the state asks for
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.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
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 for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: 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. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
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.
Required school ages in South Carolina: 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). Teacher qualification for this option: Parent holds at least a high school diploma or GED.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. South Carolina also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
What it includes: Membership in SCAIHS (no district approval).
Plan your school year: days and hours
South Carolina sets a minimum.
Instructional year of at least 180 days. No hours stated in §59-65-45.
Cover the required subjects
Reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, composition, literature.
Composition and literature in grades 7-12.
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
No state testing in §59-65-45; association standards apply.
Keep records anyway
South Carolina doesn’t require records under this option.
Our suggestion: keep attendance, a reading log and a few work samples each year. A move to another state, a college, or a question from the district is much easier with them.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
Diploma issued by the parent or the home school association (SCDE).
Official sources for this option
Membership in a home school association with at least 50 members: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
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.
Required school ages in South Carolina: 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). Teacher qualification for this option: Parent holds at least a high school diploma or GED.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. South Carolina also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
What it includes: Membership in a qualifying association of no fewer than 50 members (no district approval).
Plan your school year: days and hours
South Carolina sets a minimum.
Instructional year of at least 180 days. No hours stated in §59-65-47.
Cover the required subjects
Reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, composition, literature.
Composition and literature in grades 7-12.
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
No state testing in §59-65-47.
Keep the records the state asks for
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.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
Diploma issued by the parent or, in some cases, the association (SCDE).
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: To whom the semiannual progress report goes (association) not confirmed verbatim. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Your South Carolina checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in South Carolina · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read South Carolina’s rules for “Home school approved by the local school district”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Note the testing or evaluation years and deadlines
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
- Read South Carolina’s rules for “Membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start a simple attendance log and reading log
- Make a first-week plan and start
- Read South Carolina’s rules for “Membership in a home school association with at least 50 members”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions South Carolina parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in South Carolina?
Home school approved by the local school district: Yes. What to file: Application to and approval by the board of trustees of the district where the child resides, under the district's application process.
Membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools: Yes. What to file: Membership in SCAIHS (no district approval).
Membership in a home school association with at least 50 members: Yes. What to file: Membership in a qualifying association of no fewer than 50 members (no district approval).
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in South Carolina?
Home school approved by the local school district: Instructional year of at least 180 days. Instructional day of at least four and one-half hours, excluding lunch and recesses.
Membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools: Instructional year of at least 180 days. No hours stated in §59-65-45.
Membership in a home school association with at least 50 members: Instructional year of at least 180 days. No hours stated in §59-65-47.
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in South Carolina?
Home school approved by the local school district: Yes, 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.
Membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools: No state testing in §59-65-45; association standards apply.
Membership in a home school association with at least 50 members: No state testing in §59-65-47.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in South Carolina?
Home school approved by the local school district: Parent holds at least a high school diploma or GED (statute also references passing the basic skills examination), or a baccalaureate degree.
Membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools: Parent holds at least a high school diploma or GED.
Membership in a home school association with at least 50 members: Parent holds at least a high school diploma or GED.
What subjects are required in South Carolina?
Home school approved by the local school district: Reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, composition, literature.
Membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools: Reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, composition, literature.
Membership in a home school association with at least 50 members: Reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, composition, literature.
What records do I need to keep in South Carolina?
Home school approved by the local school district: 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.
Membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools: South Carolina doesn’t require records. Keeping attendance, a reading log and work samples is still wise.
Membership in a home school association with at least 50 members: 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.
Keep going
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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