Overview
South Dakota treats homeschooling as alternative instruction. Families file a one-time Alternative Instruction Notification and must provide instruction in language arts and mathematics designed to lead to mastery of the English language.
Families may use Alabama Church School for curriculum and academic services, but enrollment with an outside curriculum provider does not replace the Alternative Instruction Notification or other state obligations.
Compulsory School Attendance Age
South Dakota requires a child to regularly attend public school, nonpublic school, or alternative instruction until age 18, subject to statutory exceptions.
Alternative Instruction Notification
Parents or guardians must file an Alternative Instruction Notification with the South Dakota Department of Education or local district.
The notification is filed within 30 days after the child first begins alternative instruction while of school age.
The notification generally does not have to be renewed annually. A new or updated notification is required within 30 days if the child moves to another district, enrolls in a public or nonpublic school, or otherwise changes homeschool status.
Instructional Days and Hours
South Dakota does not impose a specific homeschool instructional-day or daily-hour requirement in the alternative-instruction statute.
Required Subjects
Alternative instruction must provide instruction in the basic skills of language arts and mathematics.
Instruction must be provided in a way designed to lead to mastery of the English language.
Attendance and Records
South Dakota does not require routine annual attendance or grade reports to be filed with the Department for ordinary alternative instruction.
Families should nevertheless maintain attendance, coursework, grades, transcripts, and graduation records, especially for transfer, college, employment, military, or activity eligibility.
Standardized Testing
South Dakota's current alternative-instruction framework does not impose the former routine standardized-testing requirement on all homeschooled students.
Students participating in public-school programs or activities may have additional eligibility or documentation requirements.
Parent Teacher Qualifications
The parent, guardian, or alternative instructor is not required to be state certified.
A person providing alternative instruction may not instruct more than 22 children.
Curriculum Freedom
South Dakota does not prescribe a state homeschool curriculum beyond the statutory requirement to provide the basic skills of language arts and mathematics.
Families may add science, history, social studies, electives, career education, and other subjects according to the student’s needs.
Graduation
South Dakota does not issue a state public-school diploma merely because a student completes an independent alternative-instruction program.
Parents should maintain a full high school transcript and establish a clear course and credit plan appropriate to the student's postsecondary goals.
Alabama Church School Services for South Dakota Families
South Dakota families may choose Alabama Church School for complete curriculum, attendance resources, academic records, report cards, transcripts, diplomas, graduation documentation, and educational support.
Enrollment with Alabama Church School does not replace the South Dakota Alternative Instruction Notification or any other state-specific obligation.
South Dakota Homeschool Law References
- SDCL 13-27-1 — Compulsory Attendance
- SDCL 13-27-3 — Alternative Instruction
- SDCL 13-27-7 — Alternative Instruction Notification
- South Dakota Department of Education — Home Schooling / Alternative Instruction
Families should review current state law and official education-agency guidance when beginning homeschooling because procedures, deadlines, and program requirements can change.
How Alabama Church School supports South Dakota families
ACS does not replace your state's homeschool requirements — it gives families complete curriculum, academic records, transcripts, diplomas, and documentation while you continue satisfying South Dakota law.
Nearby state homeschool guides
Families moving to or from South Dakota often review these states next.