How to Withdraw from Public School in South Carolina
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So, you’ve decided to homeschool. Now comes a very practical question: How do you withdraw your child from public school in South Carolina and begin homeschooling legally?
If you are making the switch in the middle of the school year, you may also be wondering whether withdrawing your child could create a truancy problem.
The order in which you take these steps matters.
We highly recommend that you do not withdraw your child from public or private school until you have completed the registration process for one of South Carolina’s three legal homeschool options.
Once your homeschool registration is in place, you can officially withdraw your student and begin your homeschool journey with confidence.
If you're just beginning the process, start with our How to Homeschool in South Carolina guide, which walks through the process step by step.
Before You Withdraw, Choose Your South Carolina Homeschool Option
South Carolina families have three legal options for homeschooling:
- Homeschool through the local school district
- Register with the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS)
- Join a qualifying third-option homeschool association
Before withdrawing your child from school, decide which option you plan to use and complete that option's registration requirements.
If you are still deciding which option is right for your family, our How to Choose the Best Homeschool Option in South Carolina guide compares all three.
For a more detailed explanation of the legal requirements under each option, see South Carolina Homeschool Laws: Your Complete Guide to Legal Requirements.
How to Withdraw Your Child from Public School in South Carolina
Once your homeschool registration is complete, you are ready to withdraw your child from their current school.
The exact withdrawal procedure can vary by school or school district, but the basic process is straightforward.
Step 1: Complete Your Homeschool Registration
First, complete the registration process for the South Carolina homeschool option you have chosen.
Don't assume that submitting an application means your registration is complete. Make sure you have satisfied the requirements of your chosen district or association and that your student is legally registered to homeschool.
If you are joining SCAIHS, wait until your application has been approved before withdrawing your child from their current school.
Step 2: Contact Your Child's Current School
If you are withdrawing during the school year, contact your child's school and ask about its withdrawal procedure.
Many schools or districts have their own withdrawal form. If they do, complete the form according to their instructions.
If the school does not provide a withdrawal form, you should still notify the school in writing that your child is withdrawing to homeschool.
The goal is simple: make sure the school knows that your child is no longer enrolled and should no longer be counted absent.
Step 3: Provide Written Notice if Needed
If your school does not have its own withdrawal form, you can provide a written notice of withdrawal.
The notice should clearly identify your student, state that the student is being withdrawn from the school, and provide the effective date of withdrawal.
To make this easier, we've created a free South Carolina School Withdrawal Notice template you can customize for your family.
GET THE FREE WITHDRAWAL NOTICE TEMPLATE
Keep a copy of the completed notice for your records.
Step 4: Make Sure School Records Are Transferred
Your child's school records are important, particularly if your student has completed part of the current school year before beginning homeschooling.
If you join SCAIHS, our office will send a records request to your child's former school.
That allows us to help maintain your student's educational record as you transition into homeschooling.
What If I Start Homeschooling in the Middle of the School Year?
You absolutely can begin homeschooling in the middle of the school year.
Families make the transition for many reasons. A child's needs may have changed. A family may have moved. A student may be struggling academically or socially. Sometimes parents simply realize that their current educational arrangement is no longer working.
You do not have to wait until the next school year to make a change.
What matters is that you establish your legal homeschool status and properly withdraw your student.
For more help making the transition, read How to Start Homeschooling Mid-Year in South Carolina.
Can My Child Be Considered Truant If I Withdraw to Homeschool?
Homeschooling itself does not make a child truant. Homeschooling is a legal educational option in South Carolina.
The potential problem arises when a compulsory-school-age child stops attending their current school before another legal educational arrangement is in place.
That is why the sequence matters.
Rather than:
Withdraw → figure out homeschooling
we recommend:
Choose your homeschool option → complete registration → withdraw → begin homeschooling
Following that order helps provide a clear transition from one legal educational setting to another.
If you have questions about the legal requirements for homeschooling, our South Carolina Homeschool Laws guide provides a more detailed explanation.
Do I Need to Send a Letter of Intent to Homeschool in South Carolina?
South Carolina does not have one statewide process requiring every homeschool parent to submit the same letter of intent to their local school district.
Instead, families homeschool through one of the state's three legal options and follow the registration requirements for that option.
That is different from notifying a school that a currently enrolled student is withdrawing.
If your child is already enrolled in public or private school, make sure the school knows that the student has withdrawn, particularly when making the transition during the school year.
What If I Withdraw During the Summer?
The process may look somewhat different when you are beginning homeschooling between school years rather than withdrawing mid-year.
For new SCAIHS members, our office sends a records request to the student's former school. During the summer, that records request will often provide the former school with the information it needs concerning the student's change in enrollment.
However, individual schools and districts may have their own procedures. If you are unsure whether your child's former school requires anything additional from you, contact the school directly.
What Happens After I Withdraw My Child?
Now the fun part begins: building a homeschool that works for your child and your family.
You'll need to choose curriculum, establish a routine, maintain the required homeschool records, and meet the requirements of the homeschool option you selected.
And remember: homeschool does not have to look exactly like school at home.
One of the great benefits of homeschooling is the opportunity to build an education around your child's needs, abilities, interests, and learning style.
Our How to Homeschool in South Carolina guide can help you understand what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions About Withdrawing to Homeschool in South Carolina
Can I withdraw my child from public school to homeschool?
Yes. Parents may legally withdraw their children from public school and homeschool through one of South Carolina's three legal homeschool options.
Can I start homeschooling in the middle of the year?
Yes. You do not have to wait until the beginning of a new school year. Complete your homeschool registration and properly withdraw your child before beginning.
Should I withdraw my child before applying to a homeschool association?
We recommend completing the registration and approval process for your chosen homeschool option before withdrawing a compulsory-school-age student from their current school.
Does SCAIHS notify my child's former school?
SCAIHS sends a records request to the student's former school. Families making a mid-year transition should still follow the former school's withdrawal procedures.
Do I need my child's school records before I can homeschool?
You do not need to have the physical records in your hands before you can begin homeschooling, but obtaining the records is important for documenting your student's previous education and planning what comes next.
Ready to Begin Homeschooling?
Leaving a familiar school setting can feel like a big step, but the process itself doesn't have to be overwhelming.
Choose the South Carolina homeschool option that is right for your family. Complete the registration process. Properly withdraw your child from their current school. Then take your next step.
If you choose SCAIHS, you won't have to navigate that transition alone. Our counselors can help you understand curriculum, records, academic planning, and the many questions that come with beginning a new homeschool journey.
You can do this. And we'd love to help.
