The South Carolina rules in plain English - notice, testing, records, and the dates families actually miss. Verified against the official sources below on 2026-10-18.
Before anything else: this is orientation, not legal advice. Requirements change and local offices have their own habits. The sources at the bottom are the authority - check them before you file.
Three legal paths. Option 1: district board approval with 180 days, records, semiannual progress reports, and annual statewide testing. Option 2: SCAIHS membership. Option 3: any accountability association (50+ members) meeting statute - the path most families use.
Where it goes: District board (Option 1), SCAIHS (Option 2), or an approved association (Option 3)
Option 1 requires annual statewide testing; Options 2/3 require the association's standards (records and semiannual progress documentation) instead.
Subjects: Reading, writing, math, science, social studies (+ composition and literature, grades 7-12); 180 instructional days
Records: All paths: plan book/diary, work portfolio, and progress records (semiannual under Options 1 and 3).
[Your name]
[Address]
[Date]
Dear your local school authority,
I am writing to notify you of my intent to home educate for my child, [student name], grade [X], for the [20XX-XX] school year.
Included: the required information.
Respectfully,
[Your name] · [phone] · [email]
Want this handled? The Records Office drafts your South Carolina notice or filing every year, keeps the deadline calendar, and builds the transcript and course descriptions colleges expect. Founding families: $99/year.
VERIFIED 2026-10-18 AGAINST THE SOURCES ABOVE · HOMESCHOOL RECORDS OFFICE · YOU ARE THE SCHOOL OF RECORD · THIS GUIDE IS ORIENTATION, NOT LEGAL ADVICE