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In South Dakota, homeschooling transforms the state’s wide-open prairies, rolling Badlands, and rich Native American heritage into a vibrant classroom customized to your child’s curiosity.
Whether you’re examining geological formations at Badlands National Park or tracing pioneer trails through the Black Hills, South Dakota’s clear laws and supportive local communities equip you to teach at home with confidence.
Step into this role assuredly and tailor each lesson to your child’s passions.
South Dakota families formally excuse their child from public school by:
South Dakota requires that you provide, as a minimum, basic skills in language arts and mathematics.
There are no time, portfolio, or record-keeping requirements. You choose the curriculum, pacing, and schedules that suit your family.
Parents are responsible for accountability and assessment of their students in the ways they see fit. There are no state requirements for testing, portfolio reviews, record-keeping, or anything else.
You have full freedom to craft a curriculum around your child’s strengths and interests. Many families complement hands-on projects with multisensory, mastery-based materials like:
Optional homeschool support groups and co-ops provide structured classes, group activities, and social opportunities for those seeking extra community support.
Access high-quality resources at no cost through public library digital collections, open educational platforms like Khan Academy, and peer resource exchanges in local co-ops.
The All About Learning Press Free Resources page also offers free activities and teaching tips to spark fresh ideas without straining your budget.
Local groups, from the Our Way of Learning Homeschool Collective in Sioux Falls to the Black Hills Homeschool Co-op in Rapid City, host field trips, co-op classes, and social gatherings that enrich your child’s learning and connect you with fellow parent-educators.
Annual homeschool conferences bring families together for workshops on testing preparation, curriculum selection, and community-building.
You now have the roadmap: file your Alternative Instruction Notification within 30 days of beginning homeschooling, teach at least basic language arts and math skills, and select curricula that ignite your child’s passion.
Celebrate every discovery, from mastering long division to mapping dinosaur fossils, and lean on South Dakota’s homeschool community for support.
If you’re new to homeschooling or want tips from veteran homeschoolers, explore these helpful reads:
Disclaimer:
All information is current as of July 2025. This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consult Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) for official guidance.
