Homeschool Law Map
General information only — not legal advice. Laws change; confirm with your state or territory education agency or an attorney.

South Dakota homeschool laws

Minimal regulation State Rank 15 of 56 (1 = easiest)

Confidence: High · Last verified:

92.5
Freedom score / 100
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements shown are for the scored pathway: Homeschool. Other pathways may have different rules.

Current regulations

Notification & registration Requirement exists

Standard DOE Alternative Instruction Notification, filed with the Department of Education (or the local district) once per child; an updated notification is due within 30 days if the child moves to or open-enrolls in another district, stops homeschooling, or changes dual-credit plans. (HSLDA says the first notification is due within 30 days of starting; that deadline was not found on the DOE page read.)

Parent / instructor qualifications None in scored pathway

None (max 22 children per individual).

Required subjects Requirement exists

Alternative instruction in the basic skills of language arts and mathematics, leading to mastery of the English language (SDCL 13-27-3). Compulsory attendance to age 18 (DOE).

Testing & assessment None in scored pathway

None.

Records, days & reporting None in scored pathway

None.

Oversight None in scored pathway

DOE or local district (notification only).

Immunization & other requirements None in scored pathway

None stated.

Legal pathways

Scored pathway: Homeschool. The score uses the least-burdensome parent-led pathway defined in law (see methodology).

Who to notify & where to start

Standard DOE Alternative Instruction Notification, filed with the Department of Education (or the local district) once per child; an updated notification is due within 30 days if the child moves to or open-enrolls in another district, stops homeschooling, or changes dual-credit plans. (HSLDA says the first notification is due within 30 days of starting; that deadline was not found on the DOE page read.)

Official agency / statute links:

Recent changes

HSLDA lists SD HB 1168 among 2026 bills (outcome not verified).

Also see Law watch.

How the score breaks down

Notification, registration & approval 5 / 20
Parent/instructor qualifications 0 / 10
Required subjects & curriculum mandates 2.5 / 10
Testing, assessment & evaluation 0 / 25
Records, reporting & official oversight 0 / 15
Mandated instruction time 0 / 10
Other burdens (immunization paperwork, ID docs, background checks, local discretion) 0 / 10

Regulation burden 7.5 / 100 → freedom score 92.5. Bars show burden points per criterion (longer = more burdensome). HSLDA's own map tier for comparison: Low (summary dated 2025-03-27).

Sources

Primary / official

Secondary

Last verified . Spot an error or an update? See how to report a correction or email support@homeschoollawmap.com.

Helpful resources for South Dakota families

Types of services families in this jurisdiction commonly look for, based on the requirements above. These are categories, not endorsements.

Curriculum and course providers

Complete curricula, single-subject courses, and online programs, including options organized around required subjects.

Why shown: South Dakota lists required subjects or curriculum expectations.

Partner links coming soon.

Record-keeping and planning tools

Attendance logs, lesson planners, transcript and portfolio organizers for keeping the records your jurisdiction may ask for.

Why shown: South Dakota asks for notices, records, attendance, or instruction time in the scored pathway.

Partner links coming soon.

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