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2026 State Guide
Homeschooling in South Dakota: Requirements & Rules
Homeschooling is legal in South Dakota, and requirements are minimal — typically a simple notification. Here’s everything you need to stay compliant, in plain English.
- Regulation level
- Low
- Notification
- One-time notice
- Instruction time
- 175 days/year
- Required subjects
- 5 subjects
- Assessment
- Not required
- Recordkeeping
- Not mandated
- Compulsory ages
- 6–18
Notification
South Dakota requires one-time notice, due annual.
Single notification within 30 days of beginning; refile only if you change districts (2021 reform).
Instruction time
South Dakota requires 175 days of instruction per school year.
Minimum 175 days.
Required subjects
- Language arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social studies
- Health
Core subjects required.
Assessment & testing
No statewide testing or assessment is required in South Dakota.
No assessment requirement.
Recordkeeping
South Dakota has no formal recordkeeping mandate — but attendance, hours, and work samples are still worth keeping: they make transcripts and evaluations painless, and protect you if your situation is ever questioned.
No attendance logs, hour tracking, or portfolio required since the 2021 reform.
Parent qualifications
None required.
Track South Dakota’s requirements automatically
Homeschool Wizard logs your school days, hours, and subjects against South Dakota’s rules — and turns them into portfolio PDFs, transcripts, and report cards when you need them. Free for one student.
Private by design: your family’s records stay on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeschooling legal in South Dakota?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. In South Dakota, requirements are minimal — typically a simple notification. Children ages 6–18 fall under compulsory education law.
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in South Dakota?
Yes. South Dakota requires one-time notice — annual. Single notification within 30 days of beginning; refile only if you change districts (2021 reform).
How many days or hours of instruction does South Dakota require?
South Dakota requires 175 days of instruction per year. Minimum 175 days.
What subjects are required in South Dakota?
South Dakota requires: Language arts, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Health. Core subjects required.
Is testing or assessment required for homeschoolers in South Dakota?
No statewide assessment is required in South Dakota. No assessment requirement.
What records do homeschoolers need to keep in South Dakota?
South Dakota has no formal recordkeeping mandate — but keeping attendance, hours, and work samples is strongly recommended: it protects you if requirements change or your situation is ever questioned, and it makes transcripts possible later. No attendance logs, hour tracking, or portfolio required since the 2021 reform.
Official sources
Verify current requirements with the South Dakota Department of Education and HSLDA’s South Dakota page.
Not legal advice. This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Homeschool laws change frequently. Always verify requirements with your state's Department of Education or a qualified homeschool legal organization before making compliance decisions. Requirements shown were last verified 2026-09.