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Congratulations on your decision to consider homeschooling in South Carolina. Wise parents start by educating themselves about the legal requirements for homeschooling. All About Learning Press is a popular curriculum resource with homeschoolers in SC, and we are happy to provide this guide to getting started with homeschooling.

According to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, South Carolina’s homeschool laws are moderate compared to other states. With a little preparation and this handy guide, you’ll be on your way to confidently homeschooling in no time.

How Do I Start Homeschooling in South Carolina?

Central to the homeschooling laws in South Carolina is the oversight of an accountability association. These associations provide supervision and administrative support to ensure homeschooled students meet the state educational standards. The first requirement for homeschooling in South Carolina is to choose which accountability association you want to join.

There Are 3 Homeschooling Options:

1. Homeschool under the auspices of the local public school. This is the most restrictive homeschooling option and requires compliance with the state-mandated annual tests and assessments. The regional districts require semi-annual testing and a once-a-year evaluation by a certified public school employee. The district can revoke approval to homeschool if it determines the parent is not maintaining a level of education that meets the standards.
2. Sign up with the South Carolina Association of Independent Homeschools. This provides tremendous support and guidance and is also the costliest at $425 per year for the first child and $55 for each subsequent child. A SCAIH membership includes your own counselor, access to online record keeping, required reporting, and curriculum guidance.
3. Homeschool under one of the 60 other homeschool associations. The level of support varies, as does the cost, starting at $35 per year and up. Of all the options for homeschooling, this one provides the most autonomy and flexibility. These associations are spread across the state. You do not have to join the one in your region; you can choose whatever best meets your needs. Here is a complete list of option 3 homeschool associations.

Getting Started With Your Homeschooling Option

It is important to note that no accountability associations provide homeschoolers with teachers or curriculum materials. That is the parent’s responsibility. Unlike many states, you do not have to file a notice of intent with your local school district to homeschool. However, if you choose homeschooling under option 1 and use the local school district as your accountability association, you must apply with the district for approval. The application process requires a complete description of your program of instruction, a list of texts and materials used, the method of evaluation, and the primary location where instruction will take place.

If you choose to homeschool with option 2 or 3, you will register with your chosen association and officially withdraw your child from the public school. The association may ask for your child’s public school records. They will report each child’s attendance and grade level to the relevant school districts. Accountability associations do not provide instruction or curriculum, although some host curriculum swaps and forums for parents to help each other.

South Carolina Homeschool Laws

You must comply with several requirements, regardless of the homeschooling option you choose.

• Parents must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• The school year must consist of a minimum of 180 days of instruction, with at least 4.5 hours per day.
• Subjects covered must include reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. After grade 7, add in composition and literature (in place of reading and writing).
• Record keeping:
• A record book, diary, or other plan to track the subjects covered and activities the parent/teacher and student engage in during the year.
• A portfolio of work samples.
• Semi-annual progress reports with attendance records and documentation of student progress in each of the required subject areas.

How Many Days Are Required to Homeschool in South Carolina?

The state requires students to receive 180 days of instruction each school year with a minimum of 4.5 hours per day.

How Much Does South Carolina Pay for Homeschooling?

The state does not provide financial reimbursement, curriculum help, or wages to homeschooling parents. However, a tax credit may be available under the Tax Credits for Parental Choice in Education Act. It is up to each parent to seek tax advice from a certified tax professional.

How Do I Enroll My Child in Homeschooling in South Carolina?

Your first step is to choose an accountability association and follow its enrollment process. The South Carolina Home Educators Association provides this list of associations. You can switch your child from public school to homeschooling anytime during the year, provided the accountability association you choose allows you to enroll with them at any time.

If you follow the steps in the segment below, you will be off to a solid start on your homeschooling journey.

What Do I Need to Homeschool My Child in South Carolina?

Curriculum. It is up to the parent to choose the curriculum and teaching methods. You can choose an all-in-one program that includes everything you need for every subject, or you can pick and choose a curriculum for each subject individually to create the most customized educational experience that best meets your child’s needs. Reading and spelling are foundational skills to all other subjects and can be the hardest for young children to master. Set your child up for success with this article on the Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Mastery-Based Program.

Your association can help find other curricula and explain the various methods of education. The South Carolina Association of Independent Homeschools has a robust program of counselors to help you decide on the best program for your unique child. Some associations even have curriculum swap programs to reduce the cost of buying new materials.

You will also need:

Decide on an educational approach. There are many teaching methods, ranging from the traditional textbooks and workbooks you may be familiar with from your school days to unit studies, online virtual schools, classical education, relaxed, also known as unschooling, literature-based, or a more eclectic style where you choose each course of study from a buffet of available resources so you can customize the education to meet your child’s unique needs.

Record keeping. A planner, notebook, or digital file where you can store an attendance sheet, a portfolio of your student’s work, grades, lists of textbooks used, and daily lesson plans. Check out this 7 Must-Have Homeschool Organizational Tools article for even more resources on organizing your homeschool.

Testing. Whether you use a certified evaluator from the school district, state assessment tests, or progress reports, you are responsible for arranging the tests/assessments and keeping a record of the results.

Place to Study. One joy of homeschooling is using all of life and the world around you as a learning environment. However, some work lends itself to using a desk or table. You will want to designate some quiet workspace where your child can study, read, and do writing assignments. Depending on your child’s personality and learning style, some children might need a cozy chair in a quiet, isolated place. Other children thrive using a traditional desk and highly structured lesson plans. Still, other children can do well working in a tree house!

FAQ’s

Does South Carolina Have Educational Savings Accounts?

The state legislature is reviewing the South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund ESA program. This state-funded account is not currently available for homeschooled students. The law is still in a pilot phase, and things may change, but currently, it requires the parent to dis-enroll from the accountability program and use the money under very specific conditions. You can check for the latest updates at the State of South Carolina Department of Education’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program.

Alternatively, parents can open a Coverdell ESA, similar to a tax-free 529 college savings account, to put pre-tax dollars into an account for use in K-12 educational expenses. You can learn more about Coverdell ESA’s from the IRS here.

Do Parents Need Special Qualifications to Homeschool?

In South Carolina, any parent with a minimum of a high school diploma or GED can teach their child. It is common for parents to question their ability to educate their children adequately. With a program such as All About Reading, you will have an open-and-go, lightly scripted curriculum with all the materials and planning provided so you can teach in the most effective way possible in only 20 minutes a day.

Can I Homeschool Someone Else’s Child?

In South Carolina, you can only homeschool your child or a child under your legal guardianship. You may not homeschool a friend’s child, neighbor’s children, or even other family members if you are not the child’s legal guardian.

Where Can I Get More Information on Homeschooling in South Carolina?

We recommend reviewing the HSLDA’s South Carolina Homeschooling website for more information, news, and assistance.

Disclaimers:

AALP does not dispense legal advice. Parents are encouraged to review the homeschooling laws to ensure they comply fully.

All information is accurate based on legal statutes as of January 2025.

Sources

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https://ed.sc.gov South Carolina Department of Education

HSLDA.org Homeschool Legal Defense Association

https://schomeschooling.com/ South Carolina Association of Homeschooling