Homeschooling in South Dakota
A practical starting point for South Dakota families: what to file, what to track, and what state funding (if any) you can use.
At a glance
File a notice of intent. Standardized testing required in grades 4, 8, and 11.
No statewide ESA program at this time.
In-depth guides
South Dakota homeschool laws
Notification, record-keeping, testing, and umbrella-school rules for South Dakota families.
Read the guide
South Dakota homeschool funding
South Dakota's funding landscape — what programs exist, who they serve, and why homeschoolers may or may not qualify.
Read the guide
Getting started in South Dakota
A high-level checklist tailored to South Dakota’s rules. Specifics like form numbers and deadlines live in the in-depth state laws guide above.
- 1
Understand South Dakota's homeschool requirements
All homeschool families in South Dakota follow the same legal pathway. File a notice of intent. Standardized testing required in grades 4, 8, and 11. There is no separate umbrella-school or charter option.
- 2
File your Notice of Intent
Submit an annual Notice of Intent to your local school district before instruction begins.
- 3
Test in grades 4, 8, and 11
Administer standardized tests in grades 4, 8, and 11 by the state deadline.
- 4
Choose curriculum and plan your year
Choose curriculum that fits your child's grade level and any required subjects, then sketch a year-long plan you can adjust as you go.
Frequently asked
Do I need to notify the state to homeschool in South Dakota?
Yes. You'll file a notice of intent annually and maintain the records the state expects (attendance, portfolio, or progress reports depending on the state).
Does South Dakota require homeschool standardized testing?
Periodic standardized testing or an evaluator-written narrative is typically required. Check the state summary above for the exact cadence.
Can homeschool families in South Dakota access ESA or scholarship funding?
No statewide ESA program at this time.
How do I withdraw my child from public school in South Dakota?
Send a written withdrawal letter to the school's principal or registrar. Keep a dated copy. Once you have filed any state-required notice, your child is considered a homeschooler and the public school no longer needs to mark them absent.
Related states
Other states with similar regulation and a comparable funding posture.
Numa keeps South Dakota compliance on autopilot.
- Pre-filled forms for your state's notice and reporting
- Attendance, portfolio, and assessment tracking by grade
- Curriculum planning that matches state requirements