How to Begin Homeschooling
As a veteran, Christian Homeschool Support Group, we suggest before you choose homeschooling as the way to educate your children, you pray. Then, after having convictions formed that you are confident that this is what the Lord would have you do for your children and your family...precede. This is the unshakable confidence you will count on in the long run. Homeschooling from a negative reaction to the public school, no matter how good it may seem will not give you the strength & wisdom to finish the course! This is a marathon not a sprint. If possible both parents, (in SC only legal guardians may legally homeschool their own children), should be in unity with this decision. You will also need to have physical, spiritual and emotional support from others in this endeavor.
Information about homeschooling: Foster children; grandparents homeschooling their grandchildren; homeschooling special needs children, homeschooling in the military, and homeschooling through high school and other special issues... begin by referring to Home School Legal Defense Association's website @ http://www.hslda.org/docs/default.asp . You do not have to be a HSLDA member to use most of this site!
Steps to Legally Homeschool in South Carolina
Familiarize yourself with the law concerning homeschooling in SC (which is found in the South Carolina Code of Laws-Title 59 Education, Chapter 65. http://www.scstatehouse.gov/CODE/t59c065.htm ).
Every state has a different homeschool law, so you must know SC's options and requirements. For further analysis: http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/South_Carolina.pdf
Choose which of the three options under South Carolina law you will use in legally meeting the requirements to homeschool. These are self-explanatory within the law itself. Each of the three options has specific requirements you must fulfill to use that option.
These are your Accountability Options:
- Option #1 (Section 59-65-40) Be accountable to District Board of Trustees of the district in which the children reside YOUR School District (follow all public school requirements)
- Option #2 (Section 59-65-45) South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) Email: scaihs@scaihs.org
- Option #3 (Section 59-65-47) Homeschool Associations List of state approved Accountability Associations: http://ed.sc.gov/agency/Accountability/Quality-Assurance/old/sq/Homeschooling/hsa.html
If you do not follow through with one of Options # 1-3, then 10 days after the first day of school in your school district you can be charged with truancy. Don't wait too late!
Homeschooling Support You will Need!
After you have fulfilled the legal mandates, there are other resources and opportunities
to help you in homeschooling that you will want to know about.
Local support groups of like-minded homeschoolers. Most of these groups have regular meetings, web sites, newsletters, email loops, and directories of members that will support you and your family as you homeschool. Offering classes, speakers, field trips and good ole friendships...local support groups are a highly recommended way to get your feet wet and will be a great benefit to your family through the years of homeschooling. These are not accountability groups! Support groups cannot legally cover your homeschool under option #3 in the SC Law, unless they are also operating as accountability groups at the same time. *To join York Education At Home (YEAH), (a local York County, SC support group) in the York County area, click here.
For other local support groups around York County, SC:
- Fort Mill Area Homeschoolers
- Rock Hill Area Homeschoolers
- Faithful Scholars (legal accountability and support group)
Organizations that give support
- The National Homeschool Education Research Institute (NHERI) provides professional statistics and research on homeschooling. http://www.nheri.org/
- The Home School Foundation supports widows and divorced mothers, military families, those with tragedies that affect their homeschooling (house fires), and special needs children by seeking and managing funds and by encouraging counsel during those hard times.
http://www.homeschoolfoundation.org/ - Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is an association for homeschoolers that would like to have legal counsel, and even representation if needed concerning homeschooling issues and problems. They are a group of legal professionals that help defend the rights of parents, that choose to homeschool legally in their states, when challenged unlawfully. Check www.hslda.org and for current news on homeschooling. Always be alert to our freedoms being challenged by our state legislators and others who would deny us the freedom as parents to choose to educate our children at home! *Accountability Associations offer discounts for HSLDA membership when you join their group.
- South Carolina Home Educators Association (SCHEA) is an association of homeschoolers and homeschool support groups across South Carolina that acts as a watchdog for state and federal legislation affecting homeschooling; hosts an annual state convention ( in mid- June); networks information about events, and lists support groups and accountability groups in the state for accessibility by new homeschoolers. Dates for the next SCHEA Convention are posted at: http://www.schomeeducatorsassociation.org/
More Resources that Offer Support for Homeschooling:
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Home Educators Resource Directory http://www.homeeddirectory.com/ is a comprehensive resource for new and older homeschoolers with on line listings of curriculum, services, classes, events, and discounts that direct home educators to the resources they need.
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Homeschool journals, digests, and magazines of all flavors for subscription. Click on Resources page for some of our favorite listings.
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The Curriculum Exchange is a local (York, SC) consignment store run by former homeschoolers, where you can go and see a wide variety of curriculum, buy at discount prices whatever they have stocked and consign your used curriculum for sale. www.curriculumexchange.com 803-684-3982 call for appts. Hrs. T 10-3 & Th 12-5
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Children's Books Lyman, SC (near Greer and Greenville off I-85) http://www.childsbooks.com
1-800-334-3198 -
Growing Scholars Two locally (Charlotte, NC) owned homeschool curriculum and supply stores; offering enrichment classes, speaking, and curriculum consulting. http://growingscholars.com 1-866-694-9441 for locations and hours
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Present Perfect is a teachers store in Rock Hill, SC that carries Christian items and posters, and many teaching supplements. Laminating is also available -call ahead.
(803) 325-7832 1807 Cherry Rd #137, Rock Hill, SC 28732
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the wonderful resources available to homeschoolers. The resources listed have been used by our members but are not endorsed entirely by YEAH. We have included these resources as a service to your family. Our hope is that you will find homeschooling, although challenging at times, extremely rewarding for your whole family! If we can be of any help, please email us: info@yeahonline.org