Compulsory Attendance

Your child’s age is your first indicator of his or her eligibility for beginning school. Students may start kindergarten if they turn five on or before September 1st. A child does not have to enroll in school at age five, but must be enrolled in 1st grade if he or she is six on or before September 1. Thereafter, your child must continue attending school until he or she graduates from high school or turns 17.

If your child is 5 but will not turn 6 until after September 1, you may choose to not send your child to school until the following year if you sign a form provided by your school district. see more >

Required Documentation

South Carolina school districts set the requirements for what documentation is required prior to enrolling a student in their district. To get that information, contact the district directly.  

Some legal documents are required for South Carolina students to attend school:

• Certified Birth Certificate/proof of identity
• Official copy of records/transcripts from the previous school the child most recently attended
• A shot immunization record (or proof that immunization is not required for the child)
• Click here to view the immunization requirements 
• Proof of home address (for example, a rental agreement or tax statement)

What are Charter Schools?

Charter Schools are tuition-free public schools operated by independent, non-profit governing bodies.

Parents, teachers, and community leaders sign a “charter” or contract with a school district or state agency to create a charter school and give students more educational options than their assigned school. Charter schools have flexibility over classroom hours, curriculum, and employment policies, but are subject to periodic reviews based on student performance. In South Carolina, public charter school students are measured against the same academic standards as students in other public schools. Local boards of education monitor the academic and financial performance of charter schools, and, can revoke  or refuse to renew a school’s charter.

South Carolina Charter Schools

A list of active charter schools can be found at the South Carolina Charter School District.

What makes a school “private”?

Private schools charge tuition, and many have a religious mission. Some private schools offer families assistance to make tuition payments. Click below for the complete list of over 400 private schools across the state.

Private School Review offers free, detailed information on U.S. private schools combined with useful community data (e.g., housing costs) and maps of the surrounding areas.

*Information on non-public school admission requirements should be obtained from the school directly.

George Washington University Online High School is an online college preparatory academy for motivated students who are willing to be challenged to become the best students and persons they can be. Combining award-winning curriculum with small class sizes and intensive college counseling, students receive a flexible, individualized education attuned to their own needs and goals.

International Academy is a K12, Inc accredited, online private school for grades K–12. Students earn a U.S. high school diploma while using award-winning K¹² curriculum

They offer extensive, individualized academic and counseling support keep students on track. The flexibility allows students to explore their passions. Full-time and part-time options are available.

Your options

In South Carolina, parents have the option to educate their children at home, an option known as homeschooling or home education. Parents in South Carolina may choose to homeschool their own children in grades K–12. To homeschool in South Carolina, you must have at least a high school diploma or GED and teach at least 180 days per year. In addition, you must teach the following required subjects: reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and, in grades 7–12, composition and literature. Parents desiring to homeschool their own children, may do so by following these six easy steps. 

In addition to complying with the above requirements, you must choose one of these three options for homeschooling legally and follow the requirements listed below the one you choose: 

Under the Homeschool Statute:

• Obtain approval from the district board of trustees.
  • Contact the board of trustees of your local public school district for information about their homeschool application process, and submit an application.
• Teach the required subjects for the required time.
  • Teach the required subjects listed above for at least 180 days per school year at least 4.5 hours, not counting lunch or recesses.
• Maintain records.
  • A plan book, diary, or other written record indicating subjects taught and activities in which you and your child participate.
  • A portfolio of samples of your child’s work.
  • A record of your child’s academic progress assessments.
• Submit a semiannual progress report.
  • Submit a semiannual progress report including attendance records and assessments of your child’s progress in each of the required subjects to your school district.
• Ensure your student has access to library facilities.
• Test your child annually.
  • Must participate in statewide testing program and the Basic Skills Assessment Program. The tests must be administered by a certified school district employee.