Homeschooling in South Carolina

The homeschool rules in South Carolina, from official sources: your options, any notice, what to teach and record, testing, official forms, the law and who to contact.

Homeschooling? Classfern Family keeps your plans, tutors’ lessons and records in one place – £40 (about $50) a year for your whole family. What’s in Family

Last checked: October 25, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page: South Carolina official page.

Broad level: Moderate regulation – our own rough summary, what the levels mean.

Compulsory school age: Age 5 (by September 1) until 17 or high school graduation. For a child not yet 6 by September 1, a parent may sign a written election with the district so the child does not attend kindergarten. – S.C. Code § 59-65-10(A), checked October 25, 2026.

Your options

Option 1 (59-65-40): home school approved and monitored by the local school district board of trustees. Option 2 (59-65-45): membership of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS). Option 3 (59-65-47): membership of a home school association with at least 50 members that meets the statute (SCDE publishes annual list).

Education savings accounts: South Carolina’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF), run by the SC Department of Education, can be used by families educating at home – but not while enrolled in an Option 1, 2 or 3 homeschool. The signed ESTF agreement itself meets compulsory attendance (S.C. Code 59-8-115(i)). For 2026–27 the award is $7,634, for households at or below 500% of the federal poverty guideline. Students in grades 3–11 must take an approved test and send the score report to the program. See SCDE ESTF FAQ.

Notice or letter of intent

Option 1: apply to and obtain approval from the district board. Options 2/3: join the association; district accepts membership documentation as evidence of transfer (SCDE memo of Dec. 13, 2022).

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Who you deal with locally

In South Carolina, it depends on your option. Option 1: you apply to and need approval from your school district’s board. Options 2 and 3: you join a homeschool association, and the district accepts proof of membership.

Option 1 (district): Annual statewide tests given by a certified district employee, and a semiannual progress report to the district. The district board sets its own application process.
Options 2 and 3: You deal with the association, not the district. The state Department of Education keeps the lists of associations.
Find your office: Find your school district (U.S. Department of Education NCES search – by name, city, county or ZIP code).

We link to official finders rather than list every district. If your district or county has its own form or deadlines, follow those as well as the state rules above. See which states are handled locally.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects: All options: reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies; plus composition and literature in grades 7-12.
Days or hours: All options: at least 180 days a year. Option 1 also requires an instructional day of at least 4.5 hours (excluding lunch and recess).
Testing or assessment: Option 1: annual statewide tests and Basic Skills Assessment given by a certified district employee (at school, or at home at parent cost); first-grade readiness test; below-standard scores lead to a board decision on placement. Options 2/3: no statutory testing (association standards apply).
Records: Option 1: plan book/diary, portfolio of work samples, record of evaluations, and semiannual progress report (attendance and assessments) to the district; open to district inspection. Option 3: plan book/diary, portfolio and semiannual progress report kept by parent. Option 2: per SCAIHS.

Parent qualifications

Option 1: high school diploma/GED and passing the basic skills exam, or a baccalaureate degree. Options 2 and 3: high school diploma or GED.

Other rules

Option 1: district board sets the application (program, texts, evaluation, place); 30 days to fix deficiencies; denial appealable to State Board within 10 days then family court; parent signs hold-harmless agreement and must give library access. Associations report numbers/grades to districts by January 30. Association students do not receive a State Board high school diploma. Associations file an Annual Standards Assurance with SCDE. If a withdrawing student has an IEP, the district special education director must be informed.

Official forms

Option 2 list: ed.sc.gov/… ; Option 3 list: ed.sc.gov/… ; no state parent form (Option 1 forms are district-issued).

The law

S.C. Code Ann. 59-65-40; 59-65-45; 59-65-47 – read the law

Who to contact

South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) – Office of Federal and State Accountability – Home Schooling[email protected] · 803-734-8500 (SCDE main) · Official pageWho handles notices: Both (district board for Option 1; associations for Options 2/3; SCDE keeps association lists) – who you deal with locally

Special education and public school classes and sports

SCDE memo requires the district special ed director to be informed when a student with an IEP withdraws; Option 1 below-standard scores may lead to special services. Equal Access to Interscholastic Activities Act (Act 203 of 2012, S.C. Code 59-63-100): home school students may join their zoned public school's interscholastic activities if they meet district eligibility, notify the superintendent in writing before the season, and have been home-schooled a full academic year (scstatehouse.gov/…).

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in South Carolina

To enroll your child in a public school in South Carolina, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school. Ask how it decides grade placement and whether it accepts credits from homeschooling before your child starts, and bring the records you choose to share. We didn’t find a state rule on this for South Carolina in the official sources we checked – see the South Carolina official page and ask the district.

See going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.

Last checked: October 25, 2026. Report a change to this page

Official sources

Last checked against these sources: October 25, 2026.

This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page. This page sums up official sources in our own words. Homeschool laws differ from state to state and can change. Check your state’s official page and your local school district’s guidance, and get qualified advice for your situation. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, any state education agency, school district, College Board, ACT, the GED Testing Service, HiSET, CLT or the Common App.