Homeschooling in South Dakota.

What it's called

South Dakota calls homeschooling 'alternative instruction' (South Dakota Codified Laws, SDCL, § 13-27-3).

Who you notify

Either the South Dakota Department of Education (DOE) or your local school district. You get back a signed or stamped copy as proof, and the notice is kept confidential (SDCL § 13-27-7).

When to file

Within 30 days of first starting alternative instruction. After that, file again only within 30 days if your child enrolls in a public or private school or moves to a different district. There's no yearly filing.

How to file

Use DOE's Alternative Instruction Notification (AIN), one per child, through DOE's online system or on the paper form (version 09/10/26). It asks for your child's name, birth date and resident district, plus your signature.

Compulsory age

The law covers children who are 5 or 6 by September 1 and older children until age 18, unless they have graduated or are excused. Every child must attend kindergarten before age 7 (SDCL § 13-27-1).

Subjects

At least the basic skills of language arts and mathematics, taught so as to lead to mastery of the English language (SDCL § 13-27-3).

Who can teach

No teaching certificate is needed. One person may not instruct more than 22 children (SDCL § 13-27-3).

Days and hours

The law doesn't set days or hours for alternative instruction. Your child must regularly attend (SDCL § 13-27-1).

Testing

Not required. Since 2021, students in alternative instruction don't take or submit the grade 4, 8 and 11 tests. You may choose a standardized test yourself, at your own cost.

Records

The law doesn't require records. DOE recommends keeping attendance and grades, and you'll need a parent-issued transcript for activities, returning to public school, dual credit, college and scholarships.

Activities and dual credit

Your district must let your child join its activities if eligibility rules are met, including a prior-semester transcript (SDCL § 13-36-7). Juniors and seniors with an AIN on file can use the state's reduced-tuition dual credit program.

Help from your district

Districts loan textbooks at no charge to residents ages 5 to 19 (SDCL § 13-34-23). Special education services require at least part-time enrollment in the district.