South Carolina Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in South Carolina, based on S.C. Code Section 59-65-40; S.C. Code Section 59-65-45; S.C. Code Section 59-65-47. South Carolina is classified as Moderate regulation.
This is the general checklist for Option 3 - Accountability Association, the most common of South Carolina's 3 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
File your Notice of Intent
Submit to homeschool association with at least 50 members.
Deadline: Before you start
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to school.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
Confirm your qualification
This pathway requires a high school diploma or GED. Alternatives: GED.
Deadline: Before you start
Ongoing
Required subjects
reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies
Meet instructional time requirements
Minimum: 180 days/year, 4.5 hours/day. You must track and document hours.
Show your child's progress
Standardized test — annually.
Keep basic records
You must maintain: attendance records, student portfolio.
More details
Portfolio must include: record of instruction (plan books), attendance records, semiannual progress reports, immunization records.
Renew each year
You must renew your homeschool notice each year.
Good news
Education savings: Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF)
Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF): $7,500/student (2025-2026) — Income-restricted: households up to 300% FPL for 2025-26 ($96,450 for family of 4), expanding to 500% FPL for 2026-27 ($160,750 for family of 4). Enrollment capped at 10,000 (2025-26). All 10,000 scholarships for 2025-26 have been awarded.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- homeschool association with at least 50 members
- How often
- annual
S.C. Code §59-65-47(A)
Ongoing requirements
Required subjects
- ✓reading
- ✓writing
- ✓mathematics
- ✓science
- ✓social studies
Varies by pathway. Option 1 - School Board Approval: {"grades_7_12":{"additional_subjects":["composition","literature"],"elective_requirement":"At least one of: foreign language, visual arts, or performing arts"}}; Option 2 - SCAIHS: {"grades_7_12":{"additional_subjects":["composition","literature"]}}; Option 3 - Accountability Association: {"grades_7_12":{"additional_subjects":["composition","literature"]}}
S.C. Code §59-65-47(A)
Instructional time
- Days per year:
- 180
- Hours per day:
- 4.5
S.C. Code §59-65-47(A)
Testing and assessment
Varies by pathway. Option 1 - School Board Approval: "local school district"; Option 2 - SCAIHS: null; Option 3 - Accountability Association: null
- Accepted types
- Standardized test
- Frequency
- annually
See our full assessment guide for South Carolina for details.
S.C. Code §59-65-47
Recordkeeping
Varies by pathway. Option 1 - School Board Approval: ["planned curriculum","record of instruction (subjects and materials)","attendance records","semiannual progress reports","annual test results","immunization records"]; Option 2 - SCAIHS: undefined; Option 3 - Accountability Association: ["record of instruction (plan books)","attendance records","semiannual progress reports","immunization records"]
- ✓Attendance records
- ✓Student portfolio
Portfolio must include:
- •record of instruction (plan books)
- •attendance records
- •semiannual progress reports
- •immunization records
S.C. Code §59-65-47(A)
Reporting
Varies by pathway. Option 1 - School Board Approval: "semiannual progress reports and annual test results"; Option 2 - SCAIHS: undefined; Option 3 - Accountability Association: undefined
- Annual renewal
- Required
S.C. Code §59-65-47(B), (C)
Instructor qualifications
Varies by pathway. Option 1 - School Board Approval: ["GED","baccalaureate degree"]; Option 2 - SCAIHS: ["GED"]; Option 3 - Accountability Association: ["GED"]
The instructor must have a high school diploma or GED.
Alternatives: GED
Documentation of qualifications is required.
S.C. Code §59-65-47(A)
What you don't need to worry about
Education savings: Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF)
Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF): $7,500/student (2025-2026) — Income-restricted: households up to 300% FPL for 2025-26 ($96,450 for family of 4), expanding to 500% FPL for 2026-27 ($160,750 for family of 4). Enrollment capped at 10,000 (2025-26). All 10,000 scholarships for 2025-26 have been awarded.
Other ways to homeschool in South Carolina
This checklist covers Option 3 - Accountability Association, the most common pathway. South Carolina offers 3 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Option 1 - School Board Approval : You submit your curriculum and instructional plans to the local school board for approval, teach 180 days at 4.5 hours per day, administer annual standardized testing, and file semiannual progress reports with the district. Grades 7-12 must include at least one elective (foreign language, visual arts, or performing arts). This is the highest-oversight option and is the least commonly chosen pathway.
- •Option 2 - SCAIHS : You enroll with the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS), which handles state reporting on your behalf. You teach five core subjects for 180 days at 4.5 hours per day. SCAIHS membership exempts you from Option 1's requirements, including its testing mandate. SCAIHS may require testing as organizational policy, but this is not a statutory requirement. This is a moderate-oversight option with built-in organizational support.
- •Option 3 - Accountability Association(this checklist) : You join a homeschool association with at least 50 members and teach five core subjects for 180 days at 4.5 hours per day. The statute does not require standardized testing for this pathway. Your association may require testing as organizational policy, but there is no statutory testing mandate. This is the lowest-oversight option and the most popular choice among South Carolina homeschoolers.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for South Carolina
Education savings available
South Carolina offers Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF). Learn about ESA programs
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your South Carolina checklistRequirements sourced from S.C. Code Section 59-65-40; S.C. Code Section 59-65-45; S.C. Code Section 59-65-47. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026