South Carolina umbrella and cover schools for homeschoolers
What the route is, what it changes about filing, and what to ask before you join. We name no schools and recommend none.
Joining a homeschool association. Options 2 and 3: join the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools, or another association of at least 50 members. The association reports the number and grade level of its children to the districts by January 30.
Checked October 27, 2026 against South Carolina's statute and education department. Information, not legal advice: they are the final word.
What it changes about filing
Homeschooling on your own in South Carolina: There are three homeschool options. Option 1: apply to the school district board of trustees where you live. The application describes the program, the texts and materials, how you will evaluate, and where you will teach, and the board must approve it if you meet the standards. Options 2 and 3: join the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools, or another association of at least 50 members. The association reports the number and grade level of its children to the districts by January 30.
Through the route above: the record's words for it are in the box at the top. Where they do not say who files what, ask the school before you join; the rule can differ from one school to the next.
- The Department of Education says it does not monitor home schooling and does not accredit home school associations. Co-ops are not one of the three options; they may supplement but not replace the parents' instruction.
In the law's words
“By January thirtieth of each year, the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools shall report the number and grade level of children home schooled through the association to the children's respective school districts.”
What it costs
Fees vary; ask. We list none: they differ by school and change from year to year.
Ten questions to ask before you join
- What do you file for us, with whom and by when, and what do we still file ourselves?
- What must we send you (attendance, grades, work samples), and how often?
- Do you require a test or an evaluation, and who gives it?
- Who chooses the curriculum? Do you require or approve any?
- What does a year cost, and what costs extra (testing, transcripts, a diploma)?
- Do you issue report cards, transcripts and a diploma, and will you send records after we leave?
- What happens to our records if you close?
- What do you ask a family to sign when it enrolls?
- How do we leave, and what do you tell the district when we do?
- Does enrolling change our access to sports, dual enrollment or state scholarship money here?
Keep your own records anyway
If the school closes or you leave, your own copies are what you have. The free Record Book keeps attendance, hours, the reading log, grades and work samples on your device, and exports every list.
Everything else to file in South Carolina · South Carolina letters