Homeschool Laws in South Dakota
South Dakota law requires parents who wish to homeschool to file a one-time application with the local school district seeking an excuse from compulsory attendance. Under S.D. Codified Laws § 13-27-3, this application is submitted on a standard form provided by the Department of Education. Once the application is approved, parents are not required to refile each year. A new application becomes necessary only if the child subsequently enrolls in a public or nonpublic school or if the family moves to a different school district.
Under S.D. Codified Laws § 13-27-7, South Dakota imposes no ongoing state testing or assessment requirement for homeschooled students. A prior mandate requiring periodic testing was repealed in 2021, leaving no standardized evaluation obligation in place. Parents are required to provide instruction in the basic skills of language arts and mathematics, though the law does not prescribe a broader list of mandatory subjects beyond those two foundational areas. South Dakota also imposes no formal credentialing or qualification requirements on parents who provide homeschool instruction.
Homeschool statutes are subject to amendment by the South Dakota Legislature, with most changes taking effect on July 1 of the applicable year. Families should confirm the current requirements directly with the South Dakota Department of Education or consult the most recent version of the codified laws. This summary is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Requirement details
| Notification — detail | One-time application for excuse from school attendance on the Department of Education's standard form; parents do not re-file unless the child enrolls in a public or nonpublic school or moves to a different district. (S.D. Codified Laws § 13-27-3) |
|---|---|
| Assessment — detail | No state testing requirement. (S.D. Codified Laws § 13-27-7; the prior testing mandate was repealed in 2021) |
| Required subjects | Parents must provide instruction “in the basic skills of language arts and mathematics.” |
| Parent qualifications | none |
Statutory source
South Dakota Codified Laws § 13-27-7
Compare homeschool laws in all 50 states →
Not legal advice. This page summarizes South Dakota 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.