How to Start Homeschooling in South Carolina

Required days

180 days/year

Required subjects

7 subjects

Notice

Not required

Testing / evaluation

Not required

Portfolio

Required

Jump to the full South Carolina requirements for plain-English detail on each of these.

Step by step

1. 1

   Understand South Carolina's homeschool law

   South Carolina sets specific instructional requirements without mandatory filings. Families must homeschool at least 180 days per year.

2. 2

   Withdraw from public school (if enrolled)

   There's no state-mandated withdrawal process in South Carolina, so families can simply begin homeschooling. In practice, a quick written note to the current school is still worth sending so the district's attendance records don't flag an unexplained absence. Homeschool Fox generates a compliant withdrawal letter from your family's details in a few clicks.

3. 3

   Plan your subjects

   South Carolina requires instruction in the following subjects: reading, writing, math, science, social studies, composition, and literature. Beyond these requirements, you have flexibility to add subjects that interest your family.

4. 4

   Set your hours or days target

   South Carolina doesn't specify a minimum number of hours, but requires at least 180 days of instruction per year.

5. 5

   Plan for assessment and records

   Under Option 3, § 59-65-47(d) has you keep three records at home: a plan book, diary, or other record of the subjects and activities you teach; a portfolio of your child's work samples; and a semiannual progress report with attendance and progress in each required subject. Option 1 families keep the same records under § 59-65-40(A)(4), and the district can inspect them and receives the semiannual report. For Option 2, § 59-65-45 sets no records rule, so you follow SCAIHS's own.

6. 6

   Track your hours and keep records

   Log activities as they happen so hours, attendance, and subject coverage build up automatically. Homeschool Fox lets you log from your phone or by voice and generates a South Carolina-specific compliance report when you need it.

Free South Carolina printables

Three ready-to-use PDFs for South Carolina homeschoolers. No account needed.

Templates, not legal advice. Confirm the current rule with your state or district.

Free tool

Calculate your homeschool pace

South Carolina tracks days, not hours. We suggest aiming for 900 hours/year as a personal target. Enter your end date to see the pace.

What Homeschool Fox tracks for South Carolina

Everything South Carolina expects you to keep, in one place — no spreadsheets, no lost notebooks.

• Days toward your 180-day goal
• Required subjects & core hours
• Daily activity logs
• Attendance records
• Notes & portfolio records
• Printable PDF reports
• High school transcripts
• State-specific progress tracking

More South Carolina guides

• South Carolina Homeschool Requirements Hours, notice, assessment, and subjects at a glance.
• Homeschooling High School in South Carolina Credits, GPA, transcripts, and graduation.
• Record Keeping in South Carolina What to document, how to organize it, and staying compliant.
• How to Withdraw From School in South Carolina The steps, the letter, and timing to avoid truancy issues.
• Moving to South Carolina What to file when you arrive and whether your records transfer.
• Public School Sports in South Carolina Whether homeschoolers can play, what it takes, and who to ask.
• Homeschool Days Required in South Carolina The number, what counts toward it, and the pace to hit it.
• Required Subjects in South Carolina The list, how much time each needs, and proving you taught them.
• South Carolina Homeschool Portfolio What belongs in it, who can ask to see it, and a printable checklist.
• ESA & School Choice in South Carolina Funding amounts, who qualifies, and the trade-offs.