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One quick filing
Whole house
File one state form for each child, online or on paper.File it within 30 days of the day you start.Teach language arts and math, so your child masters English.No test is required, and no teaching license is needed.
Your year
The state says. The law says what to file and what to teach.None of it sets a number of school days or hours.The state suggests a record of attendance and grades.It is a suggestion, not a rule.
You do. 1.Choose your own school days and hours.2.Keep a record of the days you teach, if you like.The state suggests it.
The Lesson Planner makes this easy.
It counts the days and hours you teach, for each child. It prints the record for you.
The state says. There is one way: alternative instruction.That is the state's name for teaching your child at home.A parent, guardian or other person in charge of the child files for it.
You do. Plan to file one state form for each child.There is no other route to pick.
Where. Step 1 of Do the steps
The state says. The law starts with a child who is 5 or 6 by September 1.Every child must start kindergarten before age 7.It lasts until age 18, or until your child graduates.The law also lists a few other ways a child can be excused.
You do. 1.If your child is just starting school, start kindergarten before age 7.2.File the state form within 30 days of the first day you teach at home.
The state says. Yes, once for each child.You fill out the state's own form, online or on paper.It is called the "Alternative Instruction Notification."File it within 30 days of the first day you teach.You do not file it again each year.File an update within 30 days if your child moves to a new district or enrolls in a school.
You do. 1.File it online, or send the paper form.2.Keep the copy that comes back to you.That copy is your proof that you filed.
Where. Step 1 of Do the steps
Proof of compliance makes this easy.
It prints one page that shows what you did, step by step, with the dates.
The state says. The person teaching does not need a teaching license.One person may teach no more than 22 children.
You do. There is no license or diploma to get.Count every child you teach, your own and any others.One person may teach no more than 22 children.
Where. Step 1 of Do the steps
The state says. Teach the basic skills of language arts.Teach the basic skills of math.All teaching must lead to a mastery of the English language.The law names no other subject.
You do. Plan language arts and math first.The Academic Planner shows what colleges expect beyond that.
The Academic Planner makes this easy.
It lays out every subject, every year, for each child.
The state says. No test is required.A 2021 law ended the old tests in grades 4, 8 and 11.You may give a test if you choose.If you do, you pay for it.
You do. Test only if it helps you.You do not send any result to the state.
Standardized Testing makes this easy.
It picks the right test and keeps each child's score.
The state says. The home teaching law does not mention shots.The shot law covers a child entering a school or an early childhood program.An early childhood program is one run by a school, or held in a school building.That law offers a medical or a religious exemption.An exemption is a paper that lets a child skip a shot.
You do. 1.File your state form. It does not ask about shots.2.Keep the shot record or the exemption paper at home.You will need it if your child enters a school or a school program.
Read it from the state
Every fact above comes from these pages.
Checked against South Dakota's own law on October 20, 2026.
Something changed in South Dakota? . You will hear it before we do.
This is a summary of public law, not legal advice. Requirements change, so always confirm with your state before you file.