South Carolina · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in South Carolina

South Carolina asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearOption 1 (District): approval required before beginning; Options 2 & 3: notify/enroll with association before starting

Yearly assessmentYes, each year

Instruction time180 days, at least 4.5 hours a day

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in South Carolina

Written from South Carolina's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
South Carolina asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Option 1 (District): approval required before beginning; Options 2 & 3: notify/enroll with association before starting You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to South Carolina Department of Education / Local School District (Option 1) / Recognized Accountability Association (Option 3).
Cover the subjects the state names
South Carolina names 7 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. South Carolina does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.
Plan the yearly assessment early
South Carolina asks for an assessment each year. You can choose from: Option 1 (Local District): statewide testing program and Basic Skills Assessment administered by certified school district employee; semiannual progress reports to district; Option 2 (SCAIHS): nationally normed standardized test annually for grades 3–11; Option 3 (Homeschool Association with 50+ members): no standardized test required; association conducts annual review and reports grade levels to school districts. Deciding in the autumn which route you will take saves a scramble in the spring.

Source: South Carolina Department of Education / Local School District (Option 1) / Recognized Accountability Association (Option 3) — ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/state-accountability/home-schooling/. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: South Carolina Department of Education / Local School District (Option 1) / Recognized Accountability Association (Option 3)
When it is due: Option 1 (District): approval required before beginning; Options 2 & 3: notify/enroll with association before starting
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/state-accountability/home-schooling/
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required each year
Ways to meet it: Option 1 (Local District): statewide testing program and Basic Skills Assessment administered by certified school district employee; semiannual progress reports to district
Option 2 (SCAIHS): nationally normed standardized test annually for grades 3–11
Option 3 (Homeschool Association with 50+ members): no standardized test required; association conducts annual review and reports grade levels to school districts
Named tests: Option 2 and 3: Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)CAT/5TerraNovaOther nationally normed achievement tests
Portfolio: Not required

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: ReadingWritingMathematicsScienceSocial StudiesComposition (grades 7–12)Literature (grades 7–12)
Instruction time: 180 days, at least 4.5 hours a day
Who may teach: All options require the teaching parent to hold at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Keeping records: No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.
Legal routes: Option 1 – Local School District: district approves curriculum, student takes state tests, semiannual progress reports required — most restrictive
Option 2 – SCAIHS (SC Association of Independent Home Schools): faith-based accountability organization; annual membership fee; annual testing grades 3–11; flexible curriculum
Option 3 – DOE-recognized homeschool association with 50+ members: most flexible; no state testing required; association does annual review and reports enrollment to local district
Umbrella / cover schools: South Carolina's Option 3 system is functionally an accountability/umbrella structure. Families join a DOE-recognized homeschool association (must have 50+ members) which provides oversight, record-keeping support, and annual review. Examples include Carolina Homeschooler, SC TOP, ICHE, A4HE, GLOW Homeschoolers, and dozens of others listed on the SC DOE Option 3 page. SCAIHS (Option 2) is the largest single accountability organization.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: South Carolina enacted strong equal-access legislation (Bill 3802, 2025–2026 session) that allows home school students to participate in interscholastic activities, extracurricular activities, and CTE programs at their resident public school district without additional participation fees or waiting periods. Students must meet the same academic standards and behavioral requirements as enrolled students.
Dual enrollment: SC homeschoolers may enroll in dual enrollment courses at SC technical colleges and universities. Access varies by institution. Some Option 3 association members have secured dual enrollment agreements with local technical colleges.
Diplomas: No state-issued diploma for homeschoolers in Option 3 or Option 2. Parents or associations issue diplomas. SCAIHS and many associations provide accredited or recognized transcripts. Option 1 students technically follow district records.
College admissions: South Carolina public universities (USC, Clemson, etc.) have homeschool admissions policies generally requiring SAT/ACT scores, a detailed course list/transcript, and sometimes a portfolio or interview. Homeschoolers compete well.
Support for additional needs: SC homeschoolers do not retain FAPE rights upon withdrawal. Families may request evaluations via Child Find from the local district. Some districts offer limited services. Early intervention (birth–3) and Part B preschool services may still be available.

Money your family can claim in South Carolina

Education Scholarship Trust Fund

Run by South Carolina Department of Education · payments through ClassWallet

$7,500 for 2025-26, rising to $7,634 for 2026-27.

Tutoring is named as a covered expense.

Source: sc-estf-program.com/en. Checked July 26, 2026. Eligibility and application dates are set by the program — the official page is always the last word.

Questions parents ask about South Carolina

Is homeschooling legal in South Carolina?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in South Carolina. South Carolina has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can track your compliance automatically.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Option 1 (District): approval required before beginning; Options 2 & 3: notify/enroll with association before starting. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in South Carolina?

South Carolina requires 180 days, at least 4.5 hours a day.

What subjects are required by law in South Carolina?

South Carolina requires instruction in the following subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Composition (grades 7–12), Literature (grades 7–12).

Does South Carolina require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. South Carolina requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Option 1 (Local District): statewide testing program and Basic Skills Assessment administered by certified school district employee; semiannual progress reports to district, Option 2 (SCAIHS): nationally normed standardized test annually for grades 3–11, Option 3 (Homeschool Association with 50+ members): no standardized test required; association conducts annual review and reports grade levels to school districts.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in South Carolina?

South Carolina has teacher qualification requirements: All options require the teaching parent to hold at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina has a law (sometimes called a "Tim Tebow" law) allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. South Carolina enacted strong equal-access legislation (Bill 3802, 2025–2026 session) that allows home school students to participate in interscholastic activities, extracurricular activities, and CTE programs at their resident public school district without additional participation fees or waiting periods. Students must meet the same academic standards and behavioral requirements as enrolled students.

Worth knowing about South Carolina

SC is moderate-regulation overall but highly flexible via Option 3 associations, which are the most popular choice. The 180-day / 4.5-hour minimum applies to all options. Option 1 is rarely chosen due to its restrictiveness. Option 3 associations vary widely in cost and requirements — families should research several before choosing. SCHEA (schea.net) maintains a list of recognized accountability associations.

Who to ask in South Carolina

Regulator: South Carolina Department of Education / Local School District (Option 1) / Recognized Accountability Association (Option 3)
Official site: ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/state-accountability/home-schooling/
Forms: ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/state-accountability/home-schooling/

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with South Carolina's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii All 51 →

This page was written from South Carolina's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with South Carolina Department of Education / Local School District (Option 1) / Recognized Accountability Association (Option 3). This is information for families, not legal advice.

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