Homeschool Laws in South Carolina
South Carolina law provides three distinct pathways for families to operate a home school legally. Under the first option, governed by S.C. Code § 59-65-40, a parent submits an application to the local school district's board of trustees for approval. Under a second pathway, set out in S.C. Code § 59-65-45, a family holds membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools. A third option, established by S.C. Code § 59-65-47, requires membership in a qualifying homeschool association that enrolls at least fifty member families. Association memberships under the second and third options renew on an annual basis.
Each pathway carries its own requirements regarding parent qualifications, required subjects, and student assessment, which may differ in their specifics. Across the options, required subjects generally include reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies; students in grades seven through twelve must also receive instruction in composition and literature. Annual assessment of student progress is required, though the approved assessment methods vary depending on which legal option the family has selected. Parent qualification standards similarly differ by option and are tied to the specific statute under which the family operates.
Homeschool statutes are subject to amendment by state legislatures, with most changes taking effect on July 1 of a given year. Families should confirm the current requirements directly with the South Carolina Department of Education or the relevant school district. This summary is informational only and does not constitute legal advice.
Requirement details
| Notification — detail | Three legal options: an application approved by the district board of trustees (S.C. Code § 59-65-40), membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (§ 59-65-45), or membership in a homeschool association with 50+ member families (§ 59-65-47). Association membership renews annually. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | Reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, and, in grades 7 through 12, composition and literature |
| Parent qualifications | required_see_detail |
Statutory source
S.C. Code § 59-65-40(A)(1) · S.C. Code § 59-65-40(A)(3) · S.C. Code § 59-65-40(A)(6) · S.C. Code § 59-65-40(B)
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Not legal advice. This page summarizes South Carolina law in plain English, verified as of June 2026 against the cited statutes. Legislatures amend homeschool law (most changes take effect July 1) — confirm current requirements with the state department of education or a licensed attorney before acting. How we verify this.