
Guide to Homeschooling in South Carolina
Choosing to home educate your child is a big decision. If you are thinking about homeschooling in South Carolina, there are certain things to consider before making the switch. Power Homeschool’s Guide to Homeschooling in South Carolina highlights the requirements, necessary record-keeping, support groups, and more!
Homeschool Laws and Requirements in South Carolina
Each state has different rules regarding a parent’s ability to homeschool their children and all the laws that they must follow.
Homeschool Groups and Support in South Carolina
Some of the best resources to help homeschool families be successful are homeschool associations, support groups, and co-ops.
How to Start Homeschooling in South Carolina
If you have decided that homeschool is a good fit for your family, you are probably wondering how to get started with the whole process.
Field Trips Available to Homeschoolers in South Carolina
The flexibility to go on more field trips is one of the many perks of homeschooling.
Find out what South Carolina has to offer!
Resources
Homeschool Laws and Requirements In South Carolina
RECORD KEEPING
While not all states require detailed record-keeping, it is always a good idea to keep records of attendance, assignments, grades, progress reports, and anything else that could be useful should laws change, you decide to move to a new state, or you decide to enroll your children in a public or private school.
Power Homeschool offers an online parent portal that allows parents to easily download any documents that they may need to prove that they are following laws in whichever state they live.
SOUTH CAROLINA STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS
In South Carolina, homeschool students will need to take state tests determined by their grade level. These tests must be administered by a certified school district employee. Your child can take these tests with other students from a public school, or you can make special arrangements to have your child take the test at their place of instruction. Parents are required to pay any fees associated with these tests and the administrator.
SOUTH CAROLINA HOMESCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Parents who homeschool their children in South Carolina should begin to explore their student’s next step earlier than children do in public schools. Look into specific colleges, technical schools, and potential employers and what their requirements are for student admission or eligibility.
Since homeschools set their own graduation requirements, you can tailor your child’s education to their unique needs and desires for their post-graduation life. Diplomas are issued by the homeschool, so parents are free to provide a diploma for their student once they have reached the graduation requirements.
Resources
Homeschool Support & Groups in South Carolina
The level of support for homeschooling families has dramatically increased in recent years. The resources and support groups in South Carolina can make getting started a lot easier for many families.
South Carolina is home to numerous homeschool associations, co-ops, and support groups.
Homeschool accountability groups are common in South Carolina because some families choose to homeschool their children under these organizations. With around 40 different homeschool accountability groups in the state, there is bound to be one that your family jives well with. These groups often have membership fees and require families to fill out applications.
In addition to homeschool accountability groups, the state is also home to a number of support groups and co-ops. These groups can help families with homeschooling support, legal advice, resources, and other information. Here are a few options:
- Greenville Homeschoolers Directory
- Homeschool Hangouts Columbia, South Carolina
- Homeschooling in York County
- Homeschooling in Aiken
- Homeschoolers of Pickens County
- Lancaster Area Homeschoolers
- Legacy Christian Home Schools
- Lowcountry Homeschoolers
- Myrtle Beach Homeschooler
- South Carolina Homeschooling Connection
- Upstate SC Homeschool Connect
Usually created by parents, these networks allow parents to share information, advice, and resources. Homeschool support groups may offer regular activities for parents and students, such as field trips, book clubs, and other special events.
Co-ops are typically more focused on academics; they may offer weekly learning opportunities. In co-ops, parents often alternate teaching either general subjects or have a more specific focus like STEM or fine arts.
Both types of groups can help you educate your child based on their age and interests. Family values often come into play as well. While many groups are secular, others are based on religious beliefs.
Check out our Power Homeschool Parent Support groups!
How to Get Started Homeschooling in South Carolina
If you are considering homeschool for your child, you are probably wondering how to get started. The first place to start is obviously researching the regulations in South Carolina that you will be required to follow as homeschool parents.
Choosing a curriculum is also a big step. Power Homeschool aims to make homeschooling as easy as possible for parents, and we provide families with as much information as possible to get started on the right foot.
Resources
South Carolina Homeschool Field Trips
Field trips are a big part of the learning experience. Students who are homeschooled have the flexibility to go on even more field trips than those in public or private schools. South Carolina is rich with history and wildlife that your homeschoolers can explore.
Here are a few of the field trip options you might wish to participate in with your student in South Carolina.
NORTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA
- Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville: Taking a field trip to the Roper Mountain Science Center allows students to learn about animals, planets, and more.
- North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum in North Myrtle Beach: The North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum features art and historical pieces from the area. You can even become a member of the museum for free admission to the museum and a discounted rate for ticketed events.
- Alligator Adventure in North Myrtle Beach: Known as the “Reptile Capital of the World,” Alligator Adventure is home to some of the fiercest reptiles in the world. In addition to reptiles, there are mammals, amphibians, and birds at this park.
- Ninety Six National Historic Site in Ninety Six: Visit an old Revolutionary War site at Ninety Six National Historic Site. Entrance to the park is free, and the park is open from Wednesday to Sunday each week.
- Cowpens National Battlefield in Chesnee: The Cowpens National Battlefield is regarded as the location of the only successful double envelopment in the American Revolution. This is the place where Daniel Morgan overtook the British army. Take a guided walk through the battlefield and see the Historic Green River Road.
COASTAL SOUTH CAROLINA
- Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston: Take your students on a tour through the Gibbes Museum of Art where they can see works from the eighteenth century through the present day. There are even classes available and an activity-filled area that is free to the public.
- Powder Magazine in Charleston: The Powder Magazine is the oldest government building in the state. Completed in 1713, the building was used as an arsenal for 45 years. The building was also used during the American Revolution. Now, it is a museum where you can explore military history in Charleston.
- South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston: The South Carolina Aquarium offers daily programs and tours. At the aquarium, you can watch feedings and learn about the animals at the aquarium.
- Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach: At Ripley’s Aquarium, you can interact with stingrays and view all kinds of sea creatures, including various species of jellyfish, turtles, eels, and sharks.
CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA
- EdVenture Columbia in Columbia: The interactive exhibits at EdVenture Columbia are designed to spark imagination and excite children of all ages. Many of the exhibits at EdVenture are geared around STEM fields. The seasonal exhibits change frequently, meaning that each trip you can experience something completely new.
- Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia: Explore various animal exhibits and zipline through the zoo at the Riverbanks Zoo. There is also a botanical garden and ropes course.
- Hitchcock Woods in Aiken: The 2100-acre longleaf pine forest is home to trails that hikers, runners, and equestrians use. The woods are also home to the Aiken Horse Show in each April and the Festival of the Woods each September.
Other Articles You May Be Interested In:

5 Ways Homeschooling Can Help Children with Disabilities to Excel
Children with disabilities might have a hard time in traditional schools. Even with regulations in place to help these children, schools might fail to adequately meet the needs of each individual student; and that doesn’t even take into account social problems that...

5 Ways Power Homeschool Makes It Easy to Balance Work and Homeschooling
Working parents often express their challenges in balancing their careers and homeschooling their children. This is easy to understand as a full-time job can take a parent out of the house for more than eight hours a day. However, homeschooling doesn’t have to cause...

5 Reasons Why Homeschooling is Better for Some Children
Homeschooling is becoming a popular alternative to traditional schooling. For some families, homeschooling is by far the best way for children to get an education. If you are on the fence about homeschooling your children, we know that the decision can weigh heavily...

Why Homeschooling Is on The Rise
Since the 1980s, there has been a significant increase in families transitioning from traditional public or private schools to homeschooling. You may be wondering the reason for this trend, but the answer is simple – it works! Homeschooling has changed drastically...