Third Option Homeschooling

The advantages of Third Option associations

Third Option associations and college
4.5 per day requirement and school district forms

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What are the advantages of enrolling in a Third Option association?

Third Option associations recognize that most parents are capable of overseeing their homeschool without excessive documentation. By closely following the mandates of section 59-65-47 of SC's homeschooling law, Third Option associations believe parents can spend more time learning, and less time on paperwork. As an added bonus, parents who use these associations benefit from the mandate specifying that parents are responsible for maintaining student records. This ensures a higher level of privacy for enrolled families.

Many Third Option associations provide extra services such as transcript programs, diplomas, graduation ceremonies, regular office hours, bookstores, resource centers, special needs counseling, curriculum counseling, scholarship guidance, etc.

Another important advantage to joining a Third Option association is the lower cost. Families can register with most Third Option associations for around $75 per year or less, regardless of the number of children enrolled.

Third Option associations that participate in the Carolina Homeschooler network are listed on our associations page.

I heard that my children may not be accepted into college unless we homeschool through Option 1 or Option 2. Is that true?

No, it's not. Regardless of what option you choose (1, 2, or 3), their primary purpose is to provide legal accountability for your homeschool. That's all. They don't provide the materials or the education -- you do. They also don't provide a state-accredited diploma. The SC Department of Education only accredits diplomas that are distributed through the public schools. Private school diplomas, Homeschool Association diplomas, and parent-made diplomas are all outside of the state's purview. They're not better or worse than state-accredited diplomas, they just have a different origin.

In any case, what's most important in the college application, admission, and scholarship process is your child's transcript and SAT scores, not diplomas. A transcript provides details about what your student has accomplished, a diploma doesn't. Colleges and scholarship committees probably won't even ask for a copy of your child's diploma.

Many Option 3 associations provide transcripts and diplomas. A transcript and diploma from one association is just as valid and accepted as one from another association. Your job is to choose an association which provides the level of expertise and assistance you need to navigate the college admissions and scholarship process. Ask them questions about their experience before choosing the one that's right for you.

Many associations have boasted Palmetto Scholarship winners, LIFE Scholarship winners, and other college-specific scholarship winners. Furthermore, students from all of the associations have been admitted to colleges and/or have gone on to achieve great things, regardless of whether or not they were awarded scholarships, and regardless of the association they "graduated" from.

If you want to see what students in our Third Option member associations have accomplished through the years, visit our Student News area.

The homeschooling information I received from the SC State Department of Education says I have to homeschool for 4.5 hours each day and fill out forms for my local school district. Is that correct?
The paperwork you received tends to confuse prospective homeschoolers. The 4.5 hour per day requirement and forms are requirements for those who homeschool under section 59-65-40 (through the oversight of the local school district, otherwise known as Option 1). They are not requirements for those homeschooling under section 59-65-47 (Option 3). For exact requirements, please see our legal requirements area and consult your association. (See the list of Associations in our associations area).

We hope this section of our FAQs has helped you to better understand how to homeschool in South Carolina. If you have any questions or concerns about the answers here, please email us and/or consult an attorney. Although we've tried to include the questions that new homeschoolers seem to ask the most, we're not attorneys or "experts" and can't give you legal advice.

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Disclaimer: Any legal information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered complete, professional legal advice.