Homeschooling in South Dakota

Filing the Alternative Instruction Notification

South Dakota classifies homeschooling as "alternative instruction" under SDCL 13-27-3. Before you begin, you must file an Alternative Instruction Notification with either the South Dakota Department of Education or your local school board.

Here is the good news: unlike most states, this is a one-time filing. Once you have submitted the notification for each child, you do not need to file again unless:

• Your child enrolls in a public or nonpublic school and then returns to homeschooling
• Your family moves to a different school district

The notification must be filed 30 days before you begin homeschooling. The form is provided by the Department of Education and requires basic information about the parent and child.

Birth Certificate Requirement

South Dakota has a unique requirement: you must provide either a certified copy of each child's birth certificate or a notarized and witnessed affidavit swearing to the child's identity with your initial notification. This is a one-time requirement filed alongside the Alternative Instruction Notification.

Compulsory Attendance Age

Children who are at least 6 years old (by September 1) but have not exceeded age 18 are subject to compulsory attendance. This means you must provide instruction until your child turns 18 or graduates.

Required Subjects

South Dakota's curriculum requirements are focused but straightforward. You must provide instruction in the "basic skills of language arts and mathematics" and the instruction must be "given so as to lead to a mastery of the English language."

While language arts and math are the only subjects explicitly required by statute, providing a well-rounded education that includes science, social studies, and other subjects is strongly encouraged for your child's overall development and future academic success.

Minimum Instructional Hours

South Dakota specifies minimum annual instructional hours based on grade level:

• Kindergarten: 437 hours per year
• Grades 1-5: 875 hours per year
• Grades 6-12: 962 hours per year

These hours are equivalent to approximately 4.9 hours per day for elementary students and 5.3 hours per day for secondary students over a 180-day school year. You have flexibility in how you schedule these hours across the year.

Teacher Qualifications

The person providing alternative instruction does not need to be certified. Any parent, guardian, or other instructor may teach. However, there is one limit: no individual may instruct more than 22 students. This cap is primarily relevant for group homeschool settings or small private schools rather than typical single-family arrangements.

No Recordkeeping Requirements

South Dakota does not mandate specific recordkeeping for homeschool families beyond the initial notification. However, maintaining organized records of courses, grades, hours, and work samples is strongly recommended for college applications, potential re-enrollment in public school, and your own peace of mind.

South Dakota Tax-Credit Scholarship Program

South Dakota operates a Tax-Credit Scholarship Program known as Partners in Education. Businesses and individuals who donate to approved scholarship-granting organizations receive a state tax credit of 80% of the donation amount. The program has an annual funding cap of approximately $3 million.

Key details about the scholarship program:

• Scholarships average approximately $2,200 per student
• Roughly 1,771 students and 48 schools participated in the 2024-25 school year
• The program primarily funds attendance at private schools, and direct applicability to homeschool families should be confirmed with the scholarship-granting organization

Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program (Starting 2027)

South Dakota has opted into the federal tax credit scholarship program set to launch in 2027. Under this program, South Dakotans who owe federal income taxes can donate up to $1,700 to a government-recognized scholarship-granting organization rather than sending that amount to the federal government. These funds can then be directed to public, private, or homeschool entities in the state.

This is significant for homeschool families because it explicitly includes homeschool as an eligible use of funds. Watch for additional details as the program rolls out.

No State ESA or Homeschool Voucher

South Dakota does not currently offer a state-level ESA or direct voucher program for homeschoolers. A proposed ESA of approximately $3,000 per student was defeated in previous legislative sessions. Future legislative action is possible, so stay informed through local homeschool organizations.

Federal Tax Benefits

South Dakota homeschool families can take advantage of:

• Coverdell Education Savings Accounts: Contribute up to $2,000 per year per child and withdraw tax-free for qualifying K-12 expenses
• Note: South Dakota has no state income tax, so state-level tax deductions are not applicable. The federal Coverdell ESA and the upcoming federal scholarship program are your primary financial tools.

Free Public School Activities

One practical financial benefit: South Dakota law guarantees homeschooled students access to public school athletics, fine arts, and activities at no additional cost. This eliminates the need to pay for private leagues or programs for many extracurricular interests.