Homeschool Guide

How to Homeschool in South Carolina

Here is exactly what South Carolina requires to homeschool legally - how to notify (if needed), what records to keep, testing rules, and how to get started.

Last updated June 2026

Notice required
Required
Instructional days
180 hrs/year
Portfolio
Required
Testing / evaluation
Not required

South Carolina homeschool requirements

  • Notification: Must enroll under Option 1 (association membership), Option 2 (district approval), or Option 3 (SC Association of Independent Home Schools). File annually.
  • Required subjects: Cover Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, Composition, Literature.
  • Teacher requirement: Parent must hold a high school diploma or GED
  • Portfolio / records: Keep attendance records and a portfolio of student work. Reviewing body may request review.
  • Testing / evaluation: No standardized testing is required by the state.
  • Recordkeeping: No retention period is set by the state; keep records organized year to year.

Key dates & deadlines

At the start of the yearFile your required notification with the district or state.
AnnuallyRenew your notification.

Getting started in South Carolina

  1. File your required notification with your district or the state (see requirements above).
  2. Set up simple records: a log of instruction and samples of your child’s work.
  3. Choose curriculum covering Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, Composition, Literature.
  4. Check your eligibility for Education Scholarship Trust Fund, and start keeping receipts for anything you buy for school.
  5. Keep your records organized from year to year.

Scholarships & funding in South Carolina

South Carolina homeschool families may be eligible for Education Scholarship Trust Fund. Programs like this reimburse or directly fund approved purchases - curriculum, tutoring, testing, and often therapies - against categories the program sets, and every claim has to be documented with receipts. Application windows and award amounts change year to year, so check the official program page before you plan around them.

  • Education Scholarship Trust Fund - Administered by South Carolina Department of Education. Typically covers private school tuition & required fees, curriculum & instructional materials, tutoring services, educational technology, testing & assessment, educational therapies, transportation to educational services. Every claim needs a receipt, and some categories need approval before you buy. Official information: https://ed.sc.gov/parents/education-scholarship-trust-fund/

Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to notify the state to homeschool in South Carolina?
Must enroll under Option 1 (association membership), Option 2 (district approval), or Option 3 (SC Association of Independent Home Schools). File annually.
Do I need to be a certified teacher?
Parent must hold a high school diploma or GED
Is standardized testing required?
No - South Carolina does not mandate standardized testing.
How long should I keep records?
No retention period is mandated, but keeping thorough records is strongly recommended.
Is there scholarship or ESA funding for homeschoolers in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina runs Education Scholarship Trust Fund. Eligibility, award amounts, and application windows are set by the program and change year to year, so confirm the current rules on the official page before you rely on them.
What subjects must I teach in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires you to cover Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, Composition, Literature. Beyond that the choice of curriculum and approach is yours.
How many days or hours of instruction does South Carolina require?
South Carolina expects about 180 hours of instruction a year. Logging lessons as you go is far easier than reconstructing the total later.
Track all of this automatically

Beyond My Books logs your South Carolina instructional days, required subjects, portfolio, and deadlines - and warns you before anything is due.

Start free →

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Homeschool laws change - verify current requirements with your South Carolina department of education or county superintendent.