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Guide to Homeschooling in South Dakota

Choosing to home educate your child is a big decision. If you are thinking about homeschooling in South Dakota, there are certain things to consider before making the switch. Power Homeschool’s Guide to Homeschooling in South Dakota highlights the requirements, necessary record-keeping, support groups, and more!

Homeschool Laws and Requirements in South Dakota

Each state has different rules regarding a parent’s ability to homeschool their children and all the laws that they must follow.

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Homeschool Groups and Support in South Dakota

Some of the best resources to help homeschool families be successful are homeschool associations, support groups, and co-ops.  

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How to Start Homeschooling in South Dakota

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.  

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Field Trips Available to Homeschoolers in South Dakota

The flexibility to go on more field trips is one of the many perks of homeschooling.  

Find out what South Dakota has to offer!

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Resources

South Dakota Homeschool Laws and Requirements

Understanding the homeschooling laws in South Dakota is vital to ensuring that you follow all state regulations. These regulations are in place to guarantee that homeschooled children are receiving an adequate education. Each state has its own specific set of requirements that both parents and students must meet.

While laws in each state differ, some of the most common requirements include a compulsory school attendance age, education minimums for homeschooling parents, minimum number of school days per year, and other rules. Some states also have rules in place about withdrawing children from public or private schools.

While not all states require a formal withdraw from public or private schools, it is a good idea to do so to ensure that your child isn’t considered truant, which could lead to legal troubles.

Detailed-Reports-for-Parents

RECORD KEEPING

Keeping detailed records is an important part of homeschooling. While not all states require record-keeping, we always recommend that parents keep records of at least their child’s curriculum, attendance, sample assignments, and other documents that could be necessary in the event of a move, re-enrollment in a public or private school, or changing laws in the state.

Our online parent portal lets parents easily download any documents that they may need to prove that they are following laws in the state in which they live. The parent portal is separate from the student portal, but both can be accessed through the Acellus app.

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SOUTH DAKOTA STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS

For some homeschooling families, standardized tests are a way to ensure that children are on track for their grade levels. However, in some states, standardized assessments are not optional. Required standardized testing is put in place to make sure that students are meeting benchmarks no matter how they receive their education. Make sure you know if these tests are a requirement before starting your homeschool journey.

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SOUTH DAKOTA HOMESCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Parents are responsible for setting homeschool graduation requirements as long as they are in accordance with the state’s regulations. To set your student up for success, it is a good idea to talk about long-term plans early. This way, you can tailor the curriculum to your student’s college, technical school, or job for post-graduation.

Parents are free to issue diplomas themselves once graduation requirements have been met.

Resources

Homeschool Support & Groups in South Dakota

Homeschooling associations offer families valuable resources and an incredible amount of support. In South Dakota, the South Dakota Christian Home Educators (SDCHE) is a free homeschool organization that works to help homeschooling families with teaching, while also advocating for homeschooling across the state.

Homeschooling support groups and co-ops are often created by parents involved in homeschooling. These groups give families the opportunity to share resources, advice, and information about homeschooling with one another. Homeschooling groups may also offer group activities, meet-ups, events, and other opportunities.

Co-ops are academic-focused groups that often offer learning opportunities to families in their communities. These supplemental classes allow for socialization and educational enrichment. Often, homeschooling parents take turns teaching these classes.

Here are a few options for support groups in South Dakota:

Check out our Power Homeschool Parent Support groups!

How to Start Homeschooling in SOUTH Dakota

It is never easy to start homeschooling. You are bound to have a few hang-ups along the way, but using our guide will help you start on the right path. Families looking to homeschool in South Dakota first need to know the laws associated with the task.

Power Homeschool is an online K-12 curriculum with a variety of courses to choose from. In addition to these courses, our program offers tools and resources to help new homeschoolers transition to at-home learning.

Resources

Homeschool Field Trips in South Dakota

Each state has a variety of field trip options that allow students to learn outside the classroom. Here are a few ideas for field trips in South Dakota.

  • South Dakota State Capitol Building in Pierre: The historical capitol building is known for its ornate design. Tour the building to learn about the history of the building and the state.
  • Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls: The Washington Pavilion is the perfect outing for curious kids. There are interactive exhibits in both art and science categories that suit a variety of ages.
  • Laura Ingall’s Homestead in De Smet: Visit the Laura Ingall’s Homestead to learn about pioneer life and history. Your children can visit an old one-room schoolhouse, make crafts, and drive a pong cart.
  • Mammoth Site in Hot Springs: Look at ice age fossils that are considered some of the best on the planet. While learning about ancient animal species, you can also make your own fossil imprint.
  • National Music Museum in Vermillion: The National Music Museum is the perfect place for instrument players and music lovers. There are more than 13,000 instruments from all over the world in this museum.
  • South Dakota Air and Space Museum: Learn about the history of aviation and view military missiles and aircraft. This is the perfect outing to go along with history and science lessons.
  • Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown: This zoo is home to more than 500 different animal species. In addition to seeing a variety of animals, you can also join scientific programs and learn even more about the wonders of wildlife.
  • Big Thunder Gold Mine in Keystone: This gold mine was established in the 1880s, which makes it ripe with history. Explore the area, learn about the mining trade, and pan for gold and gems for a fun, unique afternoon.
  • Cosmos Mystery Area in Rapid City: Explore various scientific principals at the Cosmos Mystery Area. Your child can explore the geode mine, watch a ball roll UP hill, and learn by playing.

We hope this handy guide provides homeschool parents with the resources and information they need to get started with homeschooling in South Dakota. If you have any questions about Power Homeschool’s online curriculum, contact us today!

Disclaimer: The information provided on this web page is for general information purposes only. The information provided does not constitute legal advice and may not contain the most up-to-date information.

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