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South Carolina

Moderate

Homeschool legal: ✅ Yes ·Last verified: 2026-03 ·State code: SC

Overview

Instruction days
180 days per year
Legal status
Homeschooling is legal in this state
Regulatory body
South Carolina Department of Education / Local School District (Option 1) / Recognized Accountability Association (Option 3)
Official website
https://ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/state-accountability/home-schooling/

Notice Requirements

Notice required
Yes — notice must be filed
Deadline
Option 1 (District): approval required before beginning; Options 2 & 3: notify/enroll with association before starting
Frequency
Annual — must re-file each school year
Reporting
Required (annually)

Assessment Requirements

Assessment required
Yes
Accepted methods
  • 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

Curriculum & Qualifications

Required subjects
ReadingWritingMathematicsScienceSocial StudiesComposition (grades 7–12)Literature (grades 7–12)
Teacher qualifications
All options require the teaching parent to hold at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Portfolio
No portfolio requirement

Additional Notes

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.

Tips for Homeschooling in South Carolina

  1. 1

    File your notice on time: "Option 1 (District): approval required before beginning; Options 2 & 3: notify/enroll with association before starting". Set a calendar reminder 2 weeks before to prepare documents.

  2. 2

    Choose your assessment method early. Options 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. Many families find portfolio reviews the least stressful.

  3. 3

    Teacher qualification note: All options require the teaching parent to hold at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent.. Keep a copy of your credentials with your homeschool records.

Open South Carolina Checklist →

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements directly with South Carolina Department of Education / Local School District (Option 1) / Recognized Accountability Association (Option 3) or a qualified education attorney.