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Withdrawing from school to homeschool in South Carolina

How to take your child out of school to homeschool in South Carolina, step by step: what to file first, what to tell the school, and a letter to print.

This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and South Carolina's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.

Deadlines, forms and amounts checked on against the sources linked on this page.

Step by step

  1. Before your child's last day, do what South Carolina asks of a new homeschool. Before you start: Choose your option. Option 1: apply to your district board of trustees, which must approve the program. Options 2 and 3: join the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools or another association of at least 50 members, which reports to the district by January 30.Source: S.C. Code Title 59 Chapter 65 (South Carolina Legislature)
  2. Tell the school. We did not find a South Carolina rule on how to tell the school. A short dated letter, with a copy kept, gives you a record of the day your child left.
  3. Ask for your child's records (report cards, test results, any evaluations or plans) so you know where your child stands. Good practice, not a legal step.
  4. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan, ask the district before you leave what, if anything, it offers homeschooled students, and get a copy of the plan. Good practice, not a legal step.
  5. Keep copies of everything you send and anything you get back, with the dates. Good practice, not a legal step.
  6. Start your records on day one. Option 1: keep a plan book, diary or other written record of subjects taught and activities, a portfolio of samples of the student's academic work, and a record of evaluations. The district may inspect them on reasonable notice. Send the district a semiannual progress report with attendance and an assessment in each basic subject. Option 3 associations require the same kinds of records. The Department says the parent-teacher keeps the records.Source: S.C. Code Title 59 Chapter 65 (South Carolina Legislature)

A letter to the school

Fill this in and print it. It tells the school your child is leaving to be taught at home and asks for the records. It is not the state's notice.

For example a copy of your notice, or the acknowledgement the state sent you.

Nothing you type here is saved or sent.

Your letter

________________

To: ________________

I am withdrawing ________________ from your school. My child will be educated at home under the law of South Carolina.

Please send me a copy of my child's school records.

Thank you.

SignatureDate
Keep a copy with the date you handed it in or mailed it.

Where this comes from

Checked on October 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and forms change; confirm a date with your school district or the state agency before you rely on it. For legal advice, ask a lawyer licensed in South Carolina; homeschool legal-help organizations and your state's homeschool groups can also point you to help. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.