SC Third Option Homeschool Law
Here is an explanation of South Carolina homeschool law using Option 3 (the most common option). If you live in any other state you will need to check with your state’s laws. You can find the laws for each state from Home School Legal Defense Association.
THIRD OPTION ASSOCIATIONS
Parents/Guardians also have the option of homeschooling under the auspices of an association. Membership and compliance with the association exempts the family from the aforementioned requirements. The association standards are: 1) parent/guardian must hold at least a high school diploma or GED; 2) instructional year be at least 180 days; 3) the curriculum includes, but is not limited to, the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, math, science and social studies and in grades 7 through 12, composition and literature; and 4) the parent/guardian shall maintain the following records: a plan book or diary that outlines the students learning activities, a portfolio of samples of students work, and a semi-annual progress report. The associations have to report to the school districts the number of students and their respective grades by January 30th. The best aspect of the Association law is that the parent retains major control of their home school. For a nominal fee, the parent can be free of restrictions placed upon their home school by others. Also, under the Association law, testing is not mandatory. The parent has the choice of whether to test and, if so, what test to have administered.
HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE ASSOCIATION: This is an organization that is dedicated to defending the rights of any family to homeschool. For a yearly fee, you can become a member family and HSLDA will help your family with any legal issues you may have in your homeschooling situation. Through HSLDA you can find out about the homeschooling laws in any state. HSLDA is a very important part of the homeschooling community. Please visit their website www.hslda.org to find out more about them. Homeward Education Association is now offering an HSLDA discount to its members! Email HEA at aprilray@homewarded.com for more info!
To find out about the laws in your state:
www.hslda.org/legal
For questions, please contact Homeward Education Association aprilray@homewarded.com
HEA Forms
Membership Application
Compliance Form
Progress Report (K-8th)
Progress Report (High School)
High School Worksheet
HEA Handbook (updated 2025)
Location
We are available to meet in person weekly in Sumter, SC, and we also make appointments available in other locations throughout the state. See our “How To Meet With Us” page for more details.
Hours
Mon-Thurs: 1pm – 4pm
Friday-Sunday: Closed
Closed the weeks of Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving break, Christmas, New Year’s, and federal holidays.
Contact
Phone: (803) 469-4927
Email: aprilray@homewarded.com