South Dakota homeschooling requirements explained. Learn about South Dakota homeschool laws, notification procedures, required subjects, testing rules, parent qualifications, and local support resources.
South Dakota provides a straightforward path for homeschooling families with moderate regulations. The state requires notification and basic instruction but grants parents significant flexibility in how they educate their children at home.
South Dakota recognizes homeschooling as a legitimate alternative to public and private school education. Under South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) 13-27-3, parents may provide alternative instruction to their children by homeschooling them.
There are two primary legal pathways for homeschooling in South Dakota:
Parents file a notification with the local school district and provide instruction in the required subjects. This is the most common option and offers the most independence.
Parents may enroll their child in an approved alternative instruction program, which operates under additional oversight from the state.
South Dakota's compulsory education law applies to children ages 6 through 18 (or until graduation from high school). Children who turn 6 on or before September 1 must begin instruction that year. Homeschooling satisfies the compulsory attendance requirement as long as notification is properly filed.
South Dakota requires homeschooling families to submit an annual notification to their local school district. This is a straightforward process but must be completed each year.
The notification must be filed with the superintendent of your local public school district on or before September 1 of each school year (or within 30 days of establishing the homeschool if starting mid-year).
The notification form typically requires:
Many school districts provide their own notification forms, which you can request from the district office. You do not need to submit curriculum details or lesson plans.
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, you should:
Filing the notification form typically serves as both the withdrawal and the declaration of intent to homeschool.
South Dakota law requires that homeschooled children receive instruction in certain core subjects. However, the state does not prescribe specific curricula or textbooks, leaving parents free to choose their own materials and teaching methods.
Instruction must include the following subjects:
Parents enjoy considerable freedom in how they deliver instruction:
South Dakota requires that homeschool instruction take place for an equivalent amount of time as the local public school's school year. While there is no specific hourly requirement, instruction should generally cover at least 175 days of the school year, consistent with the public school calendar.
South Dakota does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate, college degree, or any other specific credential to homeschool their children.
Any parent or legal guardian may homeschool their child in South Dakota. The state trusts that parents are capable of providing adequate instruction without requiring proof of educational credentials.
While no formal qualifications are mandated, successful homeschooling parents often:
These are optional supports that many families find helpful but are not required by law.
The responsibility for ensuring quality education falls on the parent, but the state does not set a bar for who may serve as the instructor.
South Dakota requires homeschooled students to take a nationally standardized achievement test in grades 2, 4, 8, and 11 (every other year beginning in grade 2).
The testing must meet these criteria:
Important points about test results:
If a student scores below the 30th percentile, the school district may request a meeting with the parents, but this does not automatically trigger any enforcement action.
Homeschooled students planning to attend college should also prepare for the SAT or ACT, which are not state-required but typically needed for college admissions. Many South Dakota universities welcome homeschool applicants and may have specific admission requirements.
South Dakota does not impose extensive recordkeeping requirements on homeschooling families, but maintaining good records is both practical and recommended.
These records should be retained in case the school district requests verification of compliance.
For high school students, parents should maintain detailed records of courses completed, credit hours, and grades. These records are essential for creating a homeschool transcript for college applications, scholarship applications, and employment. South Dakota allows homeschool parents to issue their own diplomas.
South Dakota's oversight of homeschooling is moderate compared to other states. The primary oversight mechanism is through the notification requirement and periodic standardized testing.
The local school district superintendent's office serves as the point of contact for homeschooling families. Their role includes:
School districts do not have authority to approve or reject a family's decision to homeschool, nor can they dictate curriculum choices.
If a family fails to file the required notification or refuses to comply with testing requirements, the school district may consider the child truant. In such cases:
These situations are rare and easily avoided by filing proper paperwork and following testing requirements.
South Dakota does not conduct home visits, require portfolio reviews, or mandate progress evaluations beyond the standardized testing. The state's approach balances parental freedom with basic accountability through testing.
Homeschooling in South Dakota is explicitly protected by state law:
South Dakota's Tim and Leslee Tebow Equal Opportunity Act allows homeschooled students to participate in public school activities, providing additional protections for homeschool families.
Be aware of these potential issues:
Failing to file annual notification
Neglecting the annual notification requirement can result in truancy concerns. File on time every year to maintain compliance.
Missing required standardized testing
Skipping the testing requirements in designated grades could trigger district inquiries and potential truancy proceedings.
Inadequate instruction
If test results indicate a child is significantly below grade level, the district may request a meeting to discuss the child's educational progress.
The best way to protect yourself legally is to file your notification on time, administer the required tests, and maintain good records of your homeschooling activities. Joining a state homeschool organization can provide additional legal support and up-to-date information on any legislative changes.
South Dakota homeschool families have access to a variety of organizations and resources to support their educational journey.
The primary statewide organization supporting homeschool families in South Dakota, providing:
Local groups across South Dakota provide community and educational support:
Organizations offering legal protection for homeschooling families:
The South Dakota Department of Education provides helpful resources:
Our AI-powered tools can help South Dakota homeschoolers with curriculum planning, content creation, assessment design, and test preparation. These tools are designed to create personalized learning experiences covering all required subjects while adapting to your child's unique learning style.
Learning Corner offers several AI-powered tools that can assist South Dakota homeschoolers:
Analyze your student's activity to understand which concepts they're learning, helping South Dakota homeschool parents track academic progress across required subject areas.
Create custom quizzes and assessments to track student progress and ensure comprehensive coverage of South Dakota's required subject areas.
Generate customized worksheets for practice and reinforcement across all required South Dakota subject areas.
Create structured lesson plans that can serve as documentation of your instruction and help maintain recommended records for South Dakota homeschoolers.
These curriculum providers, apps, and services are available to homeschool families in South Dakota:
Award-winning early learning app for ages 2-8 covering reading, math, art, and more.
Apps & Software SubscriptionChristian textbook and video-based curriculum trusted by schools and homeschoolers since 1972.
Curriculum Providers PaidMajor retailer of Christian homeschool curriculum, books, and educational materials.
Supplies & Materials PaidAlternative to SAT/ACT for college admissions, embraced by homeschool families.
Testing & Assessment Services PaidNational network of classical Christian homeschool communities meeting weekly.
Co-ops & Learning Communities PaidLast Updated: March 23, 2026