How to Homeschool in South Dakota

South Dakota homeschool law in detail

We link the governing law so you can read it yourself instead of taking our word for it. The governing law is SDCL 13-27-3 (alternative instruction; Alternative Instruction Notification, as amended by 2021 SB 177).

Notice / letter of intent

Parents file an Alternative Instruction Notification (AIN) within 30 days of the first time a child begins alternative instruction (SDCL 13-27-3, as amended by 2021 Senate Bill 177). The easiest route is the Department of Education's online notification system, which notifies the DOE and your local district at the same time; a paper form is also available. The notification is one-time, not annual, you only update it within 30 days of a transition, such as the child enrolling in a public or nonpublic school, moving to a different district, or ending alternative instruction. Notifications are kept confidential, no school board approval is needed, and no birth certificate is required to file.

Required subjects

The law requires instruction, at a minimum, in the basic skills of language arts and mathematics, provided in a way that leads to mastery of the English language. Beyond that floor, curriculum choices are entirely up to you. One practical limit: no instructor may teach more than 22 children in an alternative instruction setting.

Required days or hours

South Dakota law sets no required number of instructional hours or days for alternative instruction. You set your own calendar and daily schedule.

Recordkeeping

No records are legally required. The Department of Education recommends keeping a detailed academic record including attendance and grades, because parent-issued transcripts are needed for school activities, re-enrollment in public school, the state dual credit program, college admission, and scholarship applications. A simple yearly transcript and a folder of work samples covers all of that.

Testing and assessment

No assessment is required. The 2021 law (SB 177) removed the old requirement that alternative instruction students take and submit nationally standardized tests in grades 4, 8, and 11. Families may still choose to test privately at their own expense if they find it useful, but nothing is reported to the state. If a child later re-enrolls in public school, placement is determined by demonstrated proficiency on one or more standardized tests at that time.

Withdrawing from public school

To leave public school, file the Alternative Instruction Notification (online or paper) and let the school know in writing that your child is withdrawing to alternative instruction. Filing the AIN is what excuses your child from compulsory attendance, so do it within 30 days of beginning, many families file before the child's last day to keep the transition seamless. Keep your confirmation copy; the online system emails one automatically.

Good to know

Activities access is unusually strong: full participation in district and SDHSAA activities with no minimum class enrollment, though students who leave public school mid-season sit out the balance of that season. Part-time public school enrollment is allowed for one or more classes. Free textbook loans and the reduced-tuition dual credit program round out a genuinely homeschool-friendly package. Cross-border activity agreements exist with North Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota for open-enrolled students.