South Carolina Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in South Carolina, based on S.C. Code Sections 59-65-40, 59-65-45, 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
More details
Parent joins a qualifying homeschool association with at least 50 members. The association may handle certain filings. Multiple qualifying associations exist with varying requirements and fee structures.
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)
More details
Submit written withdrawal notice. Join association before or simultaneously with withdrawal to avoid truancy issues.
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
More details
Grades 7-12 must also include composition and literature. No statutory elective requirement for this pathway, though associations may recommend or require additional subjects.
Meet instructional time requirements
Minimum: 180 days/year, 4.5 hours/day. You must track and document hours.
Keep basic records
You must maintain: attendance records, student portfolio.
More details
Must maintain a portfolio of the student's academic work including record of instruction, attendance records, test results, and immunization records. Association may set additional requirements.
Renew each year
You must renew your homeschool notice each year.
More details
Parent must maintain semiannual progress reports as part of educational records per §59-65-47(B)(1)(d)(3), but these are not submitted to the association or state — they are kept by the parent. §59-65-47(C) requires the association to file an enrollment count with the DOE by January 30, not the parent. Annual membership with qualifying association required.
Good news
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
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.
More details
ESA-style program providing funds for private school tuition, homeschool expenses, and other qualified educational costs. Participating homeschool families may face additional requirements.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- homeschool association with at least 50 members
- How often
- annual
Parent joins a qualifying homeschool association with at least 50 members. The association may handle certain filings. Multiple qualifying associations exist with varying requirements and fee structures.
S.C. Code §59-65-47(A)
Ongoing requirements
Required subjects
- ✓reading
- ✓writing
- ✓mathematics
- ✓science
- ✓social studies
Grades 7-12 must also include composition and literature. No statutory elective requirement for this pathway, though associations may recommend or require additional subjects.
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)
Recordkeeping
- ✓Attendance records
- ✓Student portfolio
Must maintain a portfolio of the student's academic work including record of instruction, attendance records, test results, and immunization records. Association may set additional requirements.
S.C. Code §59-65-47(A)
Reporting
- Annual renewal
- Required
Parent must maintain semiannual progress reports as part of educational records per §59-65-47(B)(1)(d)(3), but these are not submitted to the association or state — they are kept by the parent. §59-65-47(C) requires the association to file an enrollment count with the DOE by January 30, not the parent. Annual membership with qualifying association required.
S.C. Code §59-65-47(B), (C)
Instructor qualifications
The instructor must have a high school diploma or GED.
Alternatives: GED
S.C. Code §59-65-47(A)
What you don't need to worry about
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
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
Related guides
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 Sections 59-65-40, 59-65-45, 59-65-47.