Homeschooling in South Dakota

The homeschool rules in South Dakota, 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 Dakota official page.

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

Compulsory school age: A child starts school at 5 or 6 (by September 1) and attends until 18 or graduation; kindergarten is required before age 7, and a 17-year-old may withdraw with written parental consent. – SDCL 13-27-1, as amended by 2025 SB 71 (Session Laws ch. 80), checked October 25, 2026.

Your options

Alternative instruction (SDCL 13-27-3) – the single homeschool route; otherwise public or accredited/nonpublic school.

Notice or letter of intent

File an Alternative Instruction Notification (online AIN system or paper form) with the SD DOE or the local district within 30 days of starting; once per child (not annual); update within 30 days if the child moves/open-enrolls to another district or stops alternative instruction. No school board approval needed.

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 Dakota, you can file with either the state Department of Education or your local school district.

What you send: An Alternative Instruction Notification (online or on paper) – once per child, not every year.
When: Within 30 days of starting. Update it within 30 days if your child moves or open-enrolls to another district, or stops alternative instruction.
Find your office: South Dakota DOE: online AIN system · 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: Language arts and mathematics (basic skills), aimed at mastery of the English language.
Days or hours: None specified by statute.
Testing or assessment: None required since SB 177 (July 1, 2021); testing optional at family expense.
Records: None mandated; DOE recommends keeping attendance and grades and parent transcripts (needed for activities, re-entry, dual credit).

Parent qualifications

None; instructor need not be certified. One instructor may teach no more than 22 children.

Other rules

Compulsory attendance to age 18 (13-27-1). Free textbook loans ages 5-19 (13-34-23). Dual credit for grades 11-12 via DOE MOU (check 'yes' on AIN).

Official forms

AIN online: altinstructionnotification.appssd.sd.gov/… ; paper form: doe.sd.gov/… ; FAQ: doe.sd.gov/…

The law

SDCL 13-27-3; 13-27-1; 13-36-7 – read the law

Who to contact

South Dakota Department of Education – Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality – Accreditation (alternative instruction)[email protected] · 605-773-3134 · Official pageWho handles notices: State (file with SD DOE or the local district) – who you deal with locally

Special education and public school classes and sports

Districts must carry out Child Find including non-enrolled children; on referral the district evaluates and offers FAPE, but services require (possibly part-time) enrollment. Part-time enrollment in classes allowed. Districts must allow participation in athletics/fine arts/activities incl. SDHSAA (13-36-7) on same eligibility terms; no minimum class load may be required.

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

Going back to public school in South Dakota

The South Dakota Department of Education says you must submit an updated Alternative Instruction Notification within 30 days when your child will no longer be homeschooling.

Source: South Dakota Department of Education: Home schooling

To enroll, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school, and ask how it decides grade placement and credits before your child starts. See the South Dakota official page, and 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.