The law states which subjects must be taught, but it does not define any order, achievement level, or topics to be included for each subject area for homeschoolers. You are free to set the pace and sequence that will best meet your child’s needs. You may include many other subject areas to enrich and challenge your students according to their needs and interests. You will likely find that their love of learning will outpace the number of hours you have in the day to teach!
South Carolina law does not specify homeschool graduation requirements. Public school graduation requirements are not applied to privately home educated students. The SAT or ACT college entrance exams are not required to graduate. As the administrator and teacher of your homeschool, you are responsible to plan your child’s high school courses, assign grades, assess school work, and even write a transcript (many of the associations offer transcripts as well). The transcript and diploma are legally binding and acceptable as proof of graduation. These documents should look professional. Since South Carolina law includes home education as a legal means of providing a high school education, your documents are just as legal and official as any other legal school in the state.
Obtaining a GED is neither necessary nor recommended. For some post-high school tracks, such as military enlistment, a GED can actually be a detriment. Your high school student is a legitimate high school graduate when they have met your requirements. Pursuing a GED may signal that your homeschool was somehow insufficient or incomplete.
For students interested in attending college in SC, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has created the helpful document College Preparatory Course Prerequisite Requirements for Entering College Freshmen Beginning in Academic Year 2019-20. Here you can read what courses a state college-bound student needs to cover. We also encourage you to go to the websites of colleges you might be interested in to see their specific requirements as those can vary from college to college within the state. Individual colleges will also explain any further entrance requirements, such as SAT, ACT, CLT, or other test scores.
South Carolina public schools require 24 Carnegie units, or credits, for graduation. While this does not apply by law to homeschoolers, colleges do expect that incoming students will have met that standard. Carnegie units are the measure of how credits are earned. One Carnegie unit is equal to a minimum of 120 hours of study in a subject. For example, 1 credit of Chemistry equals 120 hours of study and lab work. Half and quarter credits can also be awarded.
Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offers articles and resources for the high school years.
Section 59-63-100 in the SC code of law states that homeschooled students “may not be denied by a school district the opportunity to participate in its interscholastic activities” if three requirements are met. These are 1) eligibility requirements, 2) a residential requirement to live within the school’s attendance boundaries, and 3) a written notification requirement of the district superintendent before the beginning date of the activity’s season. You can locate your school district here if you are unsure about your particular district. The South Carolina High School League Sports Schedule is on their website under “Quick Links.” The best option is to get in touch with the school early on, particularly with their athletic director or coach.
There are no additional requirements for teaching your special needs child beyond the existing SC homeschooling laws. Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offers Compassion Curriculum Grants available to help with diagnostic services, therapy, curriculum, or other educational materials. Their website has several helpful articles.
National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network (NATTHAN) encourages homeschooling families with special needs children, glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and equipping parents to confidently homeschool their children with special needs or disabilities.
“Homeschooling a Child with Learning Disabilities” by Focus on the Family. Check out the resources list and more.
Look into the facts, statistics, and trends in homeschooling through the research of the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI). NHERI’s work delves into homeschooled student academic performance, the reasons families choose to home educate, the social, emotional, and psychological development of homeschoolers, and the success of homeschoolers in adulthood. You will be encouraged!