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2026 State Guide
Homeschooling in South Carolina: Requirements & Rules
Homeschooling is legal in South Carolina, and families must meet notification plus testing and/or record requirements. Here’s everything you need to stay compliant, in plain English.
- Regulation level
- Moderate
- Notification
- Annual notice
- Instruction time
- 180 days/year
- Required subjects
- 5 subjects
- Assessment
- Not required
- Recordkeeping
- Required
- Compulsory ages
- 5–17
Notification
South Carolina requires annual notice, due annual.
Three options: (1) enroll under local school district, (2) register with SCAIHS, or (3) join a homeschool association with 50+ families. Each has its own notification process.
Instruction time
South Carolina requires 180 days of instruction per school year.
180 days required.
Required subjects
- Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social studies
Core subjects: reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.
Assessment & testing
No statewide testing or assessment is required in South Carolina.
No state assessment requirement (varies by option chosen).
Recordkeeping
South Carolina requires homeschool families to maintain records.
Varies by option: district option requires lesson plans and annual progress reports.
Parent qualifications
High school diploma or GED required.
Good to know
SCAIHS (SC Association of Independent Home Schools) is the most popular option.
Track South Carolina’s requirements automatically
Homeschool Wizard logs your school days, hours, and subjects against South Carolina’s rules — and turns them into portfolio PDFs, transcripts, and report cards when you need them. Free for one student.
Private by design: your family’s records stay on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeschooling legal in South Carolina?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. In South Carolina, families must meet notification plus testing and/or record requirements. Children ages 5–17 fall under compulsory education law.
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina requires annual notice — annual. Three options: (1) enroll under local school district, (2) register with SCAIHS, or (3) join a homeschool association with 50+ families. Each has its own notification process.
How many days or hours of instruction does South Carolina require?
South Carolina requires 180 days of instruction per year. 180 days required.
What subjects are required in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies. Core subjects: reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.
Is testing or assessment required for homeschoolers in South Carolina?
No statewide assessment is required in South Carolina. No state assessment requirement (varies by option chosen).
What records do homeschoolers need to keep in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires families to keep homeschool records. Varies by option: district option requires lesson plans and annual progress reports.
Official sources
Verify current requirements with the South Carolina Department of Education and HSLDA’s South Carolina page.
Not legal advice. This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Homeschool laws change frequently. Always verify requirements with your state's Department of Education or a qualified homeschool legal organization before making compliance decisions. Requirements shown were last verified 2026-09.