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Withdrawing from school to homeschool in South Dakota

How to take your child out of school to homeschool in South Dakota, 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 Dakota'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 Dakota asks of a new homeschool. Within 30 days of starting: File an Alternative Instruction Notification on the Department's form (online it goes to both the district and the Department). Within 30 days of a change: File again if your child enrolls in a school or you move to another district. The state's form: Alternative Instruction Notification (online, South Dakota Department of Education).Source: SD Department of Education: Home Schooling / Alternative Instruction Notification; SD Department of Education: Alternative Instruction FAQ (PDF, revised 9/10/26)
  2. Tell the school. We did not find a South Dakota 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. The law asks for none. The Department of Education recommends keeping a detailed academic record, including attendance and grades, because transcripts from the parent are needed for school activities, returning to public school, dual credit, college and scholarship applications.Source: SD Department of Education: Alternative Instruction FAQ (PDF, revised 9/10/26)

What South Dakota's law or education agency says about leaving school

A child who enrolls in a public school is placed at their demonstrated level of proficiency set by one or more standardized tests, according to the Department of Education's FAQ. File an updated notification within 30 days if the child enrolls in a school, moves districts, or stops homeschooling.

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 Dakota.

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 Dakota; 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.