South Carolina homeschool requirements

Homeschooling is legal in South Carolina, but families must choose one of the state's three recognized homeschool options and follow that option's rules.

Medium: South Carolina offers three homeschool pathways: district approval under Option 1, enrollment in SCAIHS under Option 2, or enrollment in a qualifying association with at least 50 members under Option 3. All three options require at least 180 instructional days and the core listed subjects, while Option 1 also includes district approval, semiannual reporting, record inspections on reasonable notice, access to library facilities, and annual testing.

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It depends on the option. Option 1 requires approval from the local district board of trustees. Options 2 and 3 work through SCAIHS or a qualifying homeschool association rather than a simple statewide notice form. Notify: Option 1 families apply to the local school district board of trustees. Option 2 families enroll with the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools. Option 3 families enroll with a qualifying homeschool association with at least 50 members.. Deadline: The available sources do not show one single statewide filing deadline for every option. For sports under the equal-access law, written notice to the district superintendent must be given before the season begins.

reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, composition for grades 7-12, literature for grades 7-12

At least 180 instructional days are required under all three options. Under Option 1, the school day must be at least 4.5 hours, excluding lunch and recess.

It depends on the option. Option 1 requires participation in the annual statewide testing program and the Basic Skills Assessment Program. The available sources do not identify a general statewide testing requirement for Options 2 and 3. Frequency: Annual under Option 1. Not generally identified in the available sources for Options 2 and 3.

Recordkeeping depends on the option. Option 1 requires a plan book or diary of subjects and activities, a portfolio of student work, a record of academic progress assessments, and semiannual progress reports with attendance and individualized assessments. Option 3 requires educational records that include similar materials. Even when not clearly required in the same way under Option 2, families should keep attendance, work samples, course records, and high school transcripts.

Parents generally must have at least a high school diploma or GED. Under Option 1, the statute also contains older qualification language tied to a basic skills exam or a baccalaureate degree, but HSLDA says the basic skills exam was struck down by the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Moderate. Families can choose curriculum, but each lawful option must at least cover the required subjects, and Option 1 carries the most oversight.