What are the Legal Requirements for My Homeschool?
The first steps in your homeschool journey include learning about S. C. homeschool law. Laws vary from state-to-state. Many families who move to South Carolina report finding our laws less restrictive by comparison with other states.
If you live outside of South Carolina, Homeschool Legal Defense has a state-by-state guide to homeschool laws. Please consult their database for specifics of homeschooling in your state.
S. C. Homeschool Law provides three homeschooling options:
Option 1
Option 1 is the oldest legal option for homeschooling in South Carolina. Option 1 families homeschool under the supervision of their school district and with the approval of the board of trustees. Few families use this option since other options are now available.
Option 2
Parents homeschool children with the support and oversight of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS). Homeschooling pioneers in South Carolina rallied for this option, so families would have more freedom in homeschooling choices.
Option 3
Families homeschool thru homeschool associations of no fewer than 50 member families. Academic Advantage Association is a 3rd option group. We accept members on a year round basis and offer three member service packages.
Each homeschool association submits an Annual Standards Assurance form to the State Department of Education confirming compliance with the homeschool requirements stated in S.C. Code Ann. §59-65-45 and 59-65-47.
To view the requirements for Options 1 and 2, please visit the
SC Department of Education.
In compliance with 3rd option regulations, Academic Advantage requires member families agree to the following guidelines:
- A parent must hold at least a high school diploma or the equivalent general educational development (GED) certificate.
- The instructional year is at least one hundred eighty days.
- The curriculum must include, at a minimum, the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies for grades K-6. Grade 7-12 must include composition and literature instead of reading and writing.
- Educational records maintained by the parent-teacher must include:
a) a plan book, diary, or other record indicating subjects taught and activities in which the student and parent-teacher engage
b) a portfolio of samples of the student’s academic work
c) a semiannual progress report including attendance records and individualized documentation of the student’s academic progress in each of the basic instructional areas.
By January thirtieth of each year, 3rd option groups file a membership report with school districts in which they have registered students. The report includes only the number and grade level of children registered as homeschoolers in that school district. This information includes no identifying information other than the number of students enrolled and the total in each grade level.
You may join Academic Advantage by registering online or by downloading and mailing in a hard copy form along with your registration fee. Visit our About Us page for a list of packages and pricing.