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South Carolina Homeschool Requirements Moderate regulation
What South Carolina requires from homeschool families — notification, subjects, hours, testing, and portfolio rules — with links to the current law. This is the same state data FolioKid uses to build your portfolio template.
- Governing law: S.C. Code § 59-65-40
- Required subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies (grades 7–12 add Composition and Literature)
- Instructional days: 180 days per year
- Portfolio: plan book/diary and a portfolio of work samples with semiannual progress reports
Requirements vary by option: Option 1 (district approval, § 59-65-40) includes annual statewide testing, portfolio review, and semiannual progress reports; Options 2 and 3 (association options, §§ 59-65-45/-47) require 180 days at 4.5 hours per day with records and progress reports kept through the association.
Records you must keep in South Carolina
South Carolina gives you three options — district approval (Option 1) or one of two accountability-association options (Options 2 and 3) — and each is built around records you keep and progress you report:
- A plan book, diary, or record of the subjects and activities you teach (required under every option)
- A portfolio of work samples across the required subjects (reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies; grades 7–12 add composition and literature)
- A record of attendance — 180 days per year (Options 2 and 3: 4.5 instructional hours per day)
- Semiannual progress reports on your child's academic progress
- Standardized test or portfolio results (Option 1 district approval requires annual statewide testing; association options set their own annual test or portfolio review)
- If you use an association, keep your records and reports through your accountability association
Your South Carolina filing timeline
- Before the school yearEnroll with your school district (Option 1) or join a registered accountability association (Options 2 and 3).
- All year longKeep your plan book/diary, work samples, and attendance record current as you teach.
- Twice a yearPrepare the semiannual progress reports on your child's work.
- End of the school yearComplete the annual standardized test (Option 1) or the assessment your association requires, and keep the results.
How FolioKid builds a South Carolina-compliant portfolio
You teach; FolioKid keeps the records South Carolina — and your association — expects:
- Snap photos of work as it happens — FolioKid tags each entry by subject against South Carolina's required-subject list.
- Log instructional time toward South Carolina's 180 days (Options 2 and 3 target 4.5 instructional hours per day).
- Keep your plan book/diary and semiannual progress reports in one place, and add standardized test or portfolio-review results.
- Export a South Carolina-formatted portfolio PDF — or send your association or reviewer a read-only share link (no account needed, expires in 30 days).
Free: the South Carolina Homeschool Records Checklist
A one-page printable PDF — exactly what to keep, your reporting deadlines, and a blank attendance & hours log. We'll email it to you.
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Official South Carolina sources
- 📜 S.C. Code § 59-65-40 to -47 — the statute itself
- 🏛️ SC Dept. of Education — Home Schooling
- 🔎 HSLDA — South Carolina homeschool law summary
South Carolina homeschool FAQ
What law governs homeschooling in South Carolina?
Homeschooling in South Carolina is governed by S.C. Code § 59-65-40. Requirements vary by option: Option 1 (district approval, § 59-65-40) includes annual statewide testing, portfolio review, and semiannual progress reports; Options 2 and 3 (association options, §§ 59-65-45/-47) require 180 days at 4.5 hours per day with records and progress reports kept through the association. Always verify current requirements with your state department of education.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies (grades 7–12 add Composition and Literature).
How many hours or days of instruction does South Carolina require?
South Carolina requires 180 days per year.
Does South Carolina require testing or a portfolio evaluation?
No — South Carolina does not require standardized testing or a portfolio evaluation, but keeping a portfolio of your child's work is still the simplest way to document progress.
Keeping records for South Carolina? Snap photos of your kids' work and FolioKid organizes them into a year-end portfolio PDF — formatted around South Carolina's requirements.
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