Romeschool

South Dakota homeschool requirements

To homeschool in South Dakota, file a one-time Alternative Instruction notification with the state DOE. Teach language arts and math; no testing (SB 177 of 2021 removed the prior testing requirement).

Last reviewed June 5, 2026 · corrected September 19, 2026 · Sources below

Minimal regulation Notice required
Another state:

South Dakota homeschool requirements at a glance

Notice
RequiredWhere it goes: South Dakota Department of Education (not the local district). When: One-time per child at commencement (update within 30 days of a district change or stopping).
Required subjects
English/Language Arts, Mathematics
Instruction time
NoneSDCL 13-27-1 asks that a child regularly receive alternative instruction until age 18, but neither it nor SDCL 13-27-3 sets a school term, a school day, or an attendance record — 13-27-3 requires only language arts and mathematics, instruction leading to mastery of English, and no more than 22 students per instructor. Until July 1, 2021 the law did tie home instruction to the public-school calendar; SB 177 struck the words 'for an equivalent period of time, as in the public schools' from 13-27-3, along with the department's power to inspect an alternative instruction program's attendance records. The 437.5 / 875 / 962.5-hour figures still widely quoted for South Dakota come from SDCL 13-26-1, which tells a local school board how long a term to run in its own district; they bind schools, not home instruction.
Testing or evaluation
NoPre-2021 law required testing in grades 2, 4, 8, 11. SB 177 (2021) eliminated all testing requirements — none is currently mandated.
Records
No
Parent qualifications
Not required
Compulsory attendance ages
6–18
Ways to homeschool
Independent (one-time Alternative Instruction Notification to SD DOE)
Law
SDCL § 13-27-3 (SB 177, 2021)
Official source
doe.sd.gov ↗

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in South Dakota?

Yes. South Dakota requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: South Dakota Department of Education (not the local district). How: Alternative Instruction Notification (online or paper). When: One-time per child at commencement (update within 30 days of a district change or stopping). SB 177 (2021) eliminated annual notification and moved it from the district to the state DOE; there is no approval/review.

What subjects does South Dakota require homeschoolers to teach?

South Dakota requires instruction in English/Language Arts and Mathematics. SDCL 13-27-3 requires the basic skills of language arts and mathematics leading to mastery of English. (Some sources add U.S. Constitution; broader subjects are recommended, not required.)

How many days or hours of instruction does South Dakota require?

None. South Dakota does not set a minimum number of instructional days or hours for homeschoolers. SDCL 13-27-1 asks that a child regularly receive alternative instruction until age 18, but neither it nor SDCL 13-27-3 sets a school term, a school day, or an attendance record — 13-27-3 requires only language arts and mathematics, instruction leading to mastery of English, and no more than 22 students per instructor. Until July 1, 2021 the law did tie home instruction to the public-school calendar; SB 177 struck the words 'for an equivalent period of time, as in the public schools' from 13-27-3, along with the department's power to inspect an alternative instruction program's attendance records. The 437.5 / 875 / 962.5-hour figures still widely quoted for South Dakota come from SDCL 13-26-1, which tells a local school board how long a term to run in its own district; they bind schools, not home instruction.

Is standardized testing required to homeschool in South Dakota?

No. South Dakota does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. Pre-2021 law required testing in grades 2, 4, 8, 11. SB 177 (2021) eliminated all testing requirements — none is currently mandated.

What records do I need to keep to homeschool in South Dakota?

South Dakota does not require homeschooling families to keep specific records. No state-mandated record-keeping under current law (voluntary records advised).

Do parents need a teaching certificate or other qualification to homeschool in South Dakota?

No. South Dakota does not set a general qualification for homeschooling parents. No certification required (an instructor may not teach more than 22 students).

What ages does South Dakota's compulsory attendance law cover?

South Dakota's compulsory attendance law covers children from age 6 to age 18.

What are the ways to homeschool in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, families homeschool under this pathway: independent (one-time Alternative Instruction Notification to SD DOE).

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in South Dakota, as it is in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. To homeschool in South Dakota, file a one-time Alternative Instruction notification with the state DOE. Teach language arts and math; no testing (SB 177 of 2021 removed the prior testing requirement).

How to get started in South Dakota

1
File a one-time notification
When you begin, file an Alternative Instruction Notification for each child with the South Dakota Department of Education, online or on paper. You don't need to file again each year.
Official resource (doe.sd.gov) →
2
Update it within 30 days of a change
If you move to a different school district or stop homeschooling, file an updated notification within 30 days.
3
Teach language arts and math
The law requires the basic skills of language arts and mathematics, taught so as to lead to mastery of the English language. Other subjects are recommended but not required.
4
No minimum days or hours
South Dakota sets no school term, no school day, and no attendance record for home instruction. SB 177 struck the old 'equivalent period of time, as in the public schools' language on July 1, 2021, along with the department's power to inspect attendance records. The 437.5 / 875 / 962.5-hour figures still widely quoted for South Dakota come from the statute that tells a local school board how long a term to run in its own district — they bind schools, not home instruction. The law does ask that your child regularly receive instruction until age 18.
5
No testing required
South Dakota removed its homeschool testing requirement in 2021 (SB 177). No test or evaluation is required.
6
Know who may teach
No teaching certificate is required. One person may not instruct more than 22 students.
7
Keep records for yourself
The state doesn't require you to keep or submit records, but a simple log of each year is wise.
What Romeschool tracks for you: Activity log.

Sources for South Dakota

Official source (doe.sd.gov) ↗HSLDA's South Dakota summary ↗
Statute: SDCL § 13-27-3 (SB 177, 2021)
Last reviewed: June 5, 2026
Corrected: September 19, 2026, after re-reading the official source for what changed

Every requirement above comes from our review of South Dakota’s rules, checked against these sources on June 5, 2026 and corrected on September 19, 2026 after re-reading the official source for what changed. Homeschool law changes, and a state can amend its rules between our reviews — read the official source before you file anything or rely on a date here. How we review state requirements.

Nearby states

States that share a border with South Dakota:

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