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\r\n\r\nCongratulations on your decision to consider homeschooling in South Carolina. Wise parents start by educating themselves about the legal requirements for homeschooling. All About Learning Press is a popular curriculum resource with homeschoolers in SC, and we are happy to provide this guide to getting started with homeschooling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
According to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, South Carolina\u2019s homeschool laws are moderate compared to other states. With a little preparation and this handy guide, you\u2019ll be on your way to confidently homeschooling in no time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Central to the homeschooling laws in South Carolina is the oversight of an accountability association. These associations provide supervision and administrative support to ensure homeschooled students meet the state educational standards. The first requirement for homeschooling in South Carolina is to choose which accountability association you want to join.<\/p>\r\n
It is important to note that no accountability associations provide homeschoolers with teachers or curriculum materials. That is the parent\u2019s responsibility.\r\nUnlike many states, you do not have to file a notice of intent with your local school district to homeschool. However, if you choose homeschooling under option 1 and use the local school district as your accountability association, you must apply with the district for approval. The application process requires a complete description of your program of instruction, a list of texts and materials used, the method of evaluation, and the primary location where instruction will take place.<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"Father](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AdobeStock_489961532-2.jpg\")
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If you choose to homeschool with option 2 or 3, you will register with your chosen association and officially withdraw your child from the public school. The association may ask for your child\u2019s public school records. They will report each child's attendance and grade level to the relevant school districts. Accountability associations do not provide instruction or curriculum, although some host curriculum swaps and forums for parents to help each other.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
You must comply with several requirements, regardless of the homeschooling option you choose.\r\n
The state requires students to receive 180 days of instruction each school year. Option 1 also requires a minimum of 4.5 hours of instruction per day.<\/p>\r\n
The state does not provide financial reimbursement, curriculum help, or wages to homeschooling parents.<\/p>\r\n
Your first step is to choose an accountability association and follow its enrollment process. The South Carolina Home Educators Association provides this list of associations<\/a>. You can switch your child from public school to homeschooling anytime during the year, provided the accountability association you choose allows you to enroll with them at any time.<\/p>\r\n If you follow the steps in the segment below, you will be off to a solid start on your homeschooling journey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Curriculum.<\/span> It is up to the parent to choose the curriculum and teaching methods. You can choose an all-in-one program that includes everything you need for every subject, or you can pick and choose a curriculum for each subject individually to create the most customized educational experience that best meets your child\u2019s needs. Reading and spelling are foundational skills to all other subjects and can be the hardest for young children to master. Set your child up for success with this article on the Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Mastery-Based Program<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n Your association can help find other curricula and explain the various methods of education. The South Carolina Association of Independent Homeschools has a robust program of counselors to help you decide on the best program for your unique child. Some associations even have curriculum swap programs to reduce the cost of buying new materials.<\/p>\r\n You will also need:<\/p>\r\n Decide on an educational approach.<\/span> There are many teaching methods, ranging from the traditional textbooks and workbooks you may be familiar with from your school days to unit studies, online virtual schools, classical education, relaxed, also known as unschooling, literature-based, or a more eclectic style where you choose each course of study from a buffet of available resources so you can customize the education to meet your child\u2019s unique needs.<\/p>\r\n Record keeping.<\/span> A planner, notebook, or digital file where you can store an attendance sheet, a portfolio of your student\u2019s work, grades, lists of textbooks used, and daily lesson plans. Check out this 7 Must-Have Homeschool Organizational Tools<\/a> article for even more resources on organizing your homeschool.<\/p>\r\n Testing.<\/span> The accountability association options for homeschooling have differing requirements for testing. Option 1 requires yearly state testing. Option 2 requires standardized testing every other year starting in the 3rd grade. Option 3 requirements may not require testing, but verify with the homeschool association you enroll with.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Place to Study.<\/span> One joy of homeschooling is using all of life and the world around you as a learning environment. However, some work lends itself to using a desk or table. You will want to designate some quiet workspace where your child can study, read, and do writing assignments. Depending on your child\u2019s personality and learning style, some children might need a cozy chair in a quiet, isolated place. Other children thrive using a traditional desk and highly structured lesson plans. Still, other children can do well working in a tree house!<\/p>\r\n\r\n The state legislature is reviewing the South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund ESA program. This state-funded account is not currently available for homeschooled students. The law is still in a pilot phase, and things may change, but currently, it requires the parent to dis-enroll from the accountability program and use the money under very specific conditions. You can check for the latest updates at the State of South Carolina Department of Education\u2019s Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n Alternatively, parents can open a Coverdell ESA, similar to a tax-free 529 college savings account, to put pre-tax dollars into an account for use in K-12 educational expenses. You can learn more about Coverdell ESA\u2019s from the IRS here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n In South Carolina, any parent with a minimum of a high school diploma or GED can teach their child. It is common for parents to question their ability to educate their children adequately. With a program such as All About Reading<\/a><\/cite>, you will have an open-and-go, lightly scripted curriculum with all the materials and planning provided so you can teach in the most effective way possible in only 20 minutes a day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n In South Carolina, you can only homeschool your child or a child under your legal guardianship. You may not homeschool a friend\u2019s child, neighbor\u2019s children, or even other family members if you are not the child\u2019s legal guardian.<\/p>\r\n \r\n We recommend reviewing the HSLDA\u2019s South Carolina Homeschooling<\/a> website for more information, news, and assistance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Disclaimers:<\/p>\r\n AALP does not dispense legal advice. Parents are encouraged to review the homeschooling laws to ensure they comply fully.<\/p>\r\n All information is accurate based on legal statutes as of January 2025.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Sources<\/p>\r\n _________________________<\/p>\r\n https:\/\/ed.sc.gov<\/a> South Carolina Department of Education<\/p>\r\n HSLDA.org<\/a> Homeschool Legal Defense Association<\/p>\r\nWhat Do I Need to Homeschool My Child in South Carolina?<\/h2>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nFAQ\u2019s<\/h2>\r\n
Does South Carolina Have Educational Savings Accounts?<\/h3>\r\n
Do Parents Need Special Qualifications to Homeschool?<\/h3>\r\n
Can I Homeschool Someone Else\u2019s Child?<\/h3>\r\n
Where Can I Get More Information on Homeschooling in South Carolina?<\/h3>\r\n