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Homeschool laws in South Dakota

Checked Oct 12, 2026 against 6 sources · General information, not legal advice.

Your South Dakota to-do

  1. File the Alternative Instruction Notification First year
    Within 30 days from the first time the child begins alternative instruction while of compulsory school age.
  2. File a new notification after a change Every year
    Within 30 days if the child enrolls in a public or nonpublic school or moves to a different school district.

Homepen turns this into reminders and ready-to-send letters, and counts your days and hours.

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What South Dakota asks

South Dakota parents file a one-time Alternative Instruction Notification with the Department of Education or the local school district within 30 days of starting, and again only if the child enrolls in a school or moves to another district. Instruction must cover the basic skills of language arts and math and lead to mastery of English; there are no required days, hours, tests or records, the instructor does not need to be certified, and one person may not teach more than 22 children.

School age: Ages 5–17. The law covers a child who is 5 or 6 by September 1 and every child who is at least 6 by September 1, until age 18 or graduation; each child must attend kindergarten before age 7 (not before age 5). Since 2025 a 17-year-old may withdraw with a parent's written consent. Some homeschool guides say 6; the statute covers a child "not younger than five or older than six by the first day of September", so Homepen follows the statute (from 5).

Alternative instruction (home school)

SDCL §§ 13-27-1, 13-27-3, 13-27-7 · Level 2: Light

All the details, deadlines and notes
Notice
Once: Within 30 days of first starting alternative instruction, on the standard state form, to the Department of Education or the local school district (online or on paper). Not filed every year: file again within 30 days only if the child enrolls in a public or nonpublic school or moves to a different school district.
The state's form
Time
No set number of days or hours
Subjects
  • language arts (basic skills)
  • mathematics (basic skills)
  • instruction that leads to mastery of the English language
Assessment
No assessment required
Portfolio
Not required
Reports
No reports to send
Records to keep
No records required by the law
Teacher
The instructor does not need to be certified; no person may instruct more than 22 children.

Deadlines

  • File the Alternative Instruction Notification: Within 30 days from the first time the child begins alternative instruction while of compulsory school age.
  • File a new notification after a change: Within 30 days if the child enrolls in a public or nonpublic school or moves to a different school district.
The Department of Education recommends (does not require) keeping a detailed academic record, including attendance and grades; parent-issued transcripts are needed for activities, later public school enrollment, dual credit, college and scholarships.
Since the 2021 changes (Senate Bill 177), alternative instruction students no longer take and submit standardized tests in grades 4, 8 and 11.

How Homepen helps

Homepen counts your days and hours as you tick lessons, and makes: Notice-of-intent letter, filled in, Attendance & hours report, Reading list, Report card, High-school transcript.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Laws change: we check every source at least every 6 months and before each school year. If something looks wrong, tell us. The state agency for homeschooling questions is the South Dakota Department of Education.

Keep your South Dakota records without the paperwork

Plan the week, tick lessons, and Homepen keeps the days, hours and portfolio South Dakota asks for.

Get early accessComing soon to iPhone, iPad and Android