English Composition 1
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
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How to homeschool high school in South Carolina: choosing Option 1, 2 or 3
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
How to homeschool high school in South Carolina starts with choosing a legal option: district approval under 59-65-40, the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools under 59-65-45, or an association of at least 50 members under 59-65-47. Each needs a parent with a diploma or GED, 180 days, and composition and literature in grades 7-12.
Step 1: choose one of the three options
South Carolina law gives families three ways to homeschool, and they differ mostly in who oversees you. Option 1 is approval by your local school district board. Option 2 is membership in the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools. Option 3 is membership in an association with at least 50 members.
For high school, the choice matters because it shapes the testing you face and how much freedom you have to set your own records. Read the three sections of the code, then talk to the district or the association before you decide.
| Option | Section | Who oversees | Key points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | 59-65-40 | District board | Diploma or GED plus a basic skills exam, or a bachelor's; 180 days of 4.5 hours; statewide testing |
| Option 2 | 59-65-45 | SCAIHS | Diploma or GED; 180 days |
| Option 3 | 59-65-47 | Association of 50 or more members | Diploma or GED; 180 days; plan book, portfolio and progress reports |
Step 2: cover the required subjects
Every option asks for the same core subjects: reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. In grades 7 to 12, composition and literature are added. The law does not set a state credit count for a homeschool diploma, so the parent, and under Options 2 and 3 the association, decide what a full high school programme looks like.
A practical way to plan is to think in years of each subject, then decide which years could be college-level. Families aiming for college often plan four years of English, and several years each of maths, science and social studies, and check the admission pages of the colleges on their list.
- Reading and writing, with composition and literature from grade 7.
- Mathematics every year where possible.
- Science, including a lab science if colleges on your list ask for one.
- Social studies, such as US history and government.
Step 3: plan the 180-day year and the records
All three options call for at least 180 instructional days. Option 1 also sets a 4.5-hour day. Under Option 3, the law lists the records: a plan book or diary of subjects and activities, a portfolio of the student's work, and a semiannual progress report with attendance and assessments in each basic subject.
Even under the other options, those three records are a good habit for high school. They make it far easier to write a transcript in grade 12 and to answer questions from colleges.
Step 4: decide where college-level courses fit
College-level courses are one way to make the high school years count twice. As the parent, you can give high school credit for them on your homeschool transcript. Any college credit is separate: it only comes via a college transcript, and each college decides whether to count it.
Good first choices are courses that also meet a required subject, such as English composition for writing, American literature for literature, college algebra for maths and US history for social studies.
- Ask your association whether it has rules about outside courses.
- Ask each college on your list, in writing, how it treats ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit posted via a college transcript.
- Keep the course syllabus and grade report in your portfolio.
Where UPI Study fits
UPI Study offers college-level courses such as English Composition 1, American Literature, College Algebra, US History 1, Biology 1 and Introduction to Psychology. They are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended. We are not a college and not accredited, so any college credit comes only via a college transcript, and only counts if the college agrees. Partner colleges such as Thomas Edison State University, University of the People and Newlane University consider such credit. The homeschool lifetime plan is $250 once.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Before you enrol, ask your association how it records college-level courses, and ask each college on your teen's list in writing whether it reviews ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Which South Carolina homeschool option is best for high school?
It depends on how much oversight you want. Option 1 has district approval and statewide testing, while Options 2 and 3 work through an association. Read 59-65-40, 59-65-45 and 59-65-47 and talk to the district or association before you choose.
How many credits does a South Carolina homeschool student need to graduate?
The homeschool law does not set a state credit count for a homeschool diploma. The parent, and under Options 2 and 3 the association, decide what counts. Check the admission pages of the colleges on your list as you plan.
Can a homeschooled student in South Carolina take college-level courses?
Yes, as part of the high school programme the parent chooses. The parent gives the high school credit. College credit is separate and only comes via a college transcript, so ask each college in writing first.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
American Literature
Self-paced online American Literature course (ENG 201). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
College Algebra
Self-paced online College Algebra course (Math 111). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Ask your association and the colleges on your list in writing first, then choose the courses.
Sources
- South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 59 Chapter 65 (59-65-40, 59-65-45, 59-65-47) (official)Option 1 (59-65-40): district board approves; parent diploma or GED plus basic skills exam, or a bachelor's; 180 days of 4.5 hours; annual statewide testing. Option 2 (59-65-45): South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools; diploma or GED; 180 days. Option 3 (59-65-47): association of at least 50 members; diploma or GED; 180 days; reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, plus composition and literature in grades 7-12; plan book, portfolio, semiannual progress report; State Department of Education reviews standards each year; associations report numbers to districts by 30 January. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.