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⚖️ South Carolina Homeschool Laws & Requirements

What South Carolina law asks of homeschool families — notice or registration, school days and subjects, testing, records and diplomas — summarized from our South Carolina guide with links to the official sources.

Homeschooling in South Carolina: the basics

Compulsory attendance runs from the school year a child turns 5 by September 1 until age 17 or high school graduation. A parent whose child isn't 6 by September 1 can sign a waiver with the district to skip kindergarten. (S.C. Code §59-65-10)
There are three legal ways to homeschool, and the parent picks one. Every option requires a parent with at least a high school diploma or GED, a 180-day school year, and instruction in reading, writing, math, science and social studies, plus composition and literature in grades 7–12. (§59-65-40, -45, -47)
Option 1, district approval (§59-65-40): apply to your school district's board of trustees, which must approve programs that meet the law. Extra rules: a 4½-hour instructional day; a plan book, portfolio and record of evaluations open to district inspection; a semiannual progress report to the district; library access; the annual statewide tests, given by a certified district employee; and a signed release holding the district harmless. A denial can be appealed to the State Board of Education within 10 days.
Option 2, SCAIHS (§59-65-45): homeschool under the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools. Bona fide membership and following its standards replace the Option 1 rules.
Option 3, an association of 50 or more members (§59-65-47): join a homeschool association that meets the law. Parents keep a plan book or other record of subjects and activities, a portfolio of the student's work, and a semiannual progress report with attendance. SCDE publishes the 2026–27 list of associations that filed the yearly Standards Assurance form, but it doesn't accredit, endorse or monitor them. Associations under Options 2 and 3 report the number and grades of their students to the districts by January 30.
Co-ops are not one of the three options. They can supplement a parent's teaching but can't replace it. (SCDE Home School FAQ)
Diplomas and credits: only accredited public high schools issue a South Carolina high school diploma. Homeschool diplomas come from the parent or the association, and homeschool credits aren't automatically accepted by other schools. A student returning to public school is placed where the district decides, often by testing. (SCDE Home School FAQ)
Districts aren't required to provide textbooks or materials to homeschoolers but may choose to. Homeschoolers can earn credit through the South Carolina Virtual School Program if they meet its guidelines. (SCDE Home School FAQ)

Read the full section in our South Carolina guide

Articles for South Carolina families

Homeschool Option or ESTF? Two Legal Ways to Teach at Home in South Carolina, and Why Not Both
South Carolina families homeschooling under Option 1, 2 or 3 can't use the Education Scholarship Trust Fund. But a family can leave its option and teach at home under the ESTF agreement, which itself…

Official sources

Summarized from our South Carolina guide (as of October 2026) and articles. Rules change — confirm on the official pages before you act.

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