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CHOICE 2024/2025

CHOICE Homeschool Group
 

Legal Accountability

 

**Please note - CHOICE is a support group only, not an accountability group to legally homeschool in SC**

 

 

South Carolina Homeschool Law

Compulsory Attendance Ages: five years of age before September first until . . . seventeenth birthday or graduation from high school. Any parents whose child is not six years of age on or before the first day of September of a particular school year may elect for their child not to attend kindergarten, and then must sign a written document with the school district. S.C. Code ' 59-65-10.

Required Days of Instruction: 180 days. S.C. Code ' 59-65-40(A)/ ' 59-65-45/ ' 59-65-47

Required Subjects: Reading , writing, math, science, and social studies; (grades 7-12) composition and literature. S.C. Code ' 59-65-40(A)/ ' 59-65-45/ ' 59-65-47

Home School Statute: There are three options to legally home school:

Option 1 - S.C. Code ' 59-65-40. Parents may teach their children at home if the instruction is approved by the district board of trustees. The boards shall approve (they have no discretion) if:

  •   The parent has either:

                 - at least a high school diploma or GED (The basic skills exam was struck down by the South Carolina Supreme Court. See below.);

                 - or earned a baccalaureate degree;

  •  The instructional day is at least four and one-half hours, and the year at least 180 days;
  •  The curriculum includes the required subjects listed above;
  •  The parent presents a system of maintaining records as evidence of regular instruction including: a) a plan book or other record of subjects taught and activities, b) a portfolio of the child's work, and a record of academic evaluation, with a semiannual progress report to be submitted to the school district;
  •  The student has access to library facilities;
  •  The student participates in the annual statewide testing program and the Basic Skills Assessment Program;
  •  and the parents release the district from liability regarding their child's education.

Parents may appeal school district decisions to the State Board of Education within ten days. They may appeal State Board decisions to the Family Court within 30 days.

 

Option 2 - Or parents may teach their children at home by becoming members of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) ((803) 454-0427, www.scaihs.org) under S.C. Code ' 59-65-45 (effective April 8, 1992). In lieu of the requirements of ' 59-65-40, parents or guardians may teach their children at home if the instruction is conducted under the auspices of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools. Bona fide membership and continuing compliance with the academic standards of South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools exempts the home school from the further requirements of ' 59-65-40. Under this option parents or guardians must meet the following requirements:

  •  Hold at least a high school diploma or GED;
  •  The instructional year is at least 180 days; and
  •  The curriculum includes the required subjects listed above.

 

Option 3 - Or parents may teach their children at home by becoming members of an association from home schools which has no fewer than fifty members under S.C. Code ' 59-65-47 (effective June 20, 1996). In lieu of the requirements of Section 59-65-40 or Section 59-65-45, parents or guardians may teach their children at home if the instruction is conducted under the auspices of an association for home schools which has no fewer than fifty members and meets the requirements of this section. Bona fide membership and continuing compliance with the academic standards of the associations exempts the home school from the further requirements of Section 59-65-40 or Section 59-65-45. Under this option parents or guardians must meet the following requirements:

  •  hold at least a high school diploma or GED;
  •  an instructional year of at least 180 days; and
  •  the curriculum includes the required subjects listed above; and
  •  educational records maintained by the parent include:
  •  a plan book or other record of subjects taught and activities;
  •  a portfolio of the child's work; and
  •  a semiannual progress report

Third Option: HOPE (Homes of Prayerful Education)

You must be a member of a third option accountability group in order to homeschool legally. The third option we recommend is HOPE. HOPE was originally established to serve the members of CHOICE.  Now, they have opened application to any South Carolina resident.

You do not have to join HOPE if you are choosing Option 1 or Option 2 to homeschool. However, if you are interested in the third option or want to have a better understanding of the South Carolina law in reference to homeschooling, please check out their website www.hopehomeschoolgroup.org.