Homeschooling in South Dakota: what the state requires
A parent files a one-time Alternative Instruction Notification with the Department of Education or the local district. Instruction must cover the basic skills of language arts and mathematics; the instructor need not be certified.
Checked October 1, 2026 against official South Dakota sources. State page: South Dakota Department of Education — Home Schooling. Compulsory school age: From age 6 by September 1 (or a child not younger than five or older than six by September 1 who is enrolled) until age 18, graduation, or excused/withdrawn; each child must attend kindergarten before age 7.
Alternative instruction (SDCL 13-27-3)
A parent files a one-time Alternative Instruction Notification with the Department of Education or the local district. Instruction must cover the basic skills of language arts and mathematics; the instructor need not be certified.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. Within 30 days of beginning alternative instruction; one time per child unless a transition occurs — Standard Alternative Instruction Notification form (child's name, birthdate, resident district, open-enrolled district if any, parent signature) filed with the SD Department of Education or the local district, which returns a signed/stamped copy as proof. Confidential. New notification only if the child enrolls in a public or nonpublic school or moves to a different district (within 30 days of the change). |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | language arts, mathematics — Instruction in the basic skills of language arts and mathematics; all instruction shall lead to mastery of the English language. |
| Days | No minimum days in statute. |
| Hours | No minimum hours in statute. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No testing requirement in current SDCL 13-27-3 (testing provisions removed by SL 2021, ch 76). 2026 HB 1158 proposed requiring state assessments and annual September 1 notification; not reflected in codified law as checked. |
| Records | No record-keeping requirement in statute. |
| Teacher | Instructor is not required to be certified. No person may instruct more than 22 children. |
| Other | Districts loan textbooks free to persons ages 5-19. Interscholastic activities allowed subject to eligibility requirements (DOE). |
By grade
No rule in this option changes with the grade.
High school and graduation
No state graduation requirements for alternative instruction; DOE pages do not address diplomas.
Official sources:
- SDCL 13-27-3 Alternative instruction
- SDCL 13-27-7 Notification of alternative instruction
- SD DOE — Home Schooling
- 2026 HB 1158 (bill text)
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: Final status of 2026 HB 1158 not confirmed on the legislature site; codified 13-27-7 (checked 2026-10-01) still shows one-time notification. Who issues a diploma is not stated in official sources.
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 Language Arts 4 | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Science | 3.0 |
| Social Studies Social Studies 3; Personal Finance or Economics 0.5 | 3.5 |
| Fine Arts | 1.0 |
| Physical Education & Health Physical Education 0.5; Health or Health Integration 0.5 | 1.0 |
| Electives CTE/Capstone Experience/World Language 1; Electives 5.5 | 6.5 |
| Total | 22.0 |
|---|
Base requirements under ARSD 24:43:11, for students entering 9th grade fall 2018 and later; endorsements may be earned on top.
Source: SD DOE — Graduation Requirements Handbook
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.
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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