Membership

Looking for a South Carolina accountability association that offers more? Carolina Homeschooler membership includes:

Option 3 accountability (as required by law) for SC homeschool families
Member-only field trips, campouts, workshops, and road trips
Online classes and activities, including free access to Kids Discover Online
Outsiders Group – history, science, field studies, and camping trips at state and national parks and historic sites
Member newsletters to keep you informed about new events and resources
All the extras (field trips, online activities, classes, events, etc.) are optional. You choose what you want to participate in.

What we’ve been up to since June 1, 2018:

Online – Latin
Online – Kids Discover! access
Outsiders Campouts at Kings Mountain State Park, Table Rock State Park, Oconee State Park
Field trips: STEM at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Tyrannosaurs and Flying Monsters, Drone Camp

What’s coming up in September & October:

Barrier Island Adventure, Nat Geo Live! field trips
Outsiders history road trip and another campout
Student meet-ups
Continued access to Kids Discover!

Membership Fees

The registration fee is $75 for one student, and $25 for each additional student, with a family maximum of $150. Our membership year runs from June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019.

Registration for the 2018-2019 school year is closed.

Membership FAQs

How is Carolina Homeschooler different from other SC homeschool associations?

We provide an active learning community for students and parents, both online and off. We coordinate field trips, camps, sleepovers, retreats, park days, field studies, classes, and workshops so children (and parents) can get to know each other and have enriched learning experiences together.

I communicate via email for time-management and record-keeping purposes. If telephone support is important to you, a different association may be a better fit for your family.

Why don’t you accept applications throughout the year?

We are an active association, providing many activities, classes, and trips for our members. In order to maintain a high quality of service, we close registration in the fall so we can focus on providing as many learning opportunities as possible for our members during the school year.

Your fee is higher than some of the other SC homeschool associations. Is Carolina Homeschooler worth the higher fee?

Every family has different needs, so you’re the only one who can decide if our services are worth it. Here’s what others say about us. We hope their reviews help you decide if we’re the right choice for your family. (No one receives a payment, commission, or discount for their review of Carolina Homeschooler or resulting memberships.)

I live in (NC, GA, OH, TN, TX, MD, Canada, Puerto Rico, etc.) and want to join your group trips. What is the fee?

If you want to join us for our larger group trips (to Disney World, New York City, Washington DC, Italy, Ireland, England, Alaska, France, Rail Journeys, and others), they’re featured at our Traveling Homeschoolers website and don’t require membership. (Carolina Homeschooler doesn’t accept out-of-state members.)

Will you teach our children the all the required subjects?

No, but we hope you’ll use our online and offline educational activities and field trips to enrich and inspire your children’s learning and connect with other homeschoolers.

Can we “count” your classes, workshops, and field trips as part of our curriculum?

Yes, absolutely. All learning counts, and it doesn’t have to be planned, scheduled, directed, or approved by someone else. Children learn the most, and retain what they’ve learned much longer, if they initiate it, take ownership of it, and have input into what they’re learning. I don’t know of any research that doesn’t support this fact. Read more here.

Do you provide membership cards? A membership letter?

Your membership letter will be emailed as a PDF file starting with 2018-19 school year. Your letter serves as proof of your legal status as a 3rd Option homeschooling family in South Carolina. We no longer provide laminated membership cards, but will provide a downloadable membership card you can laminate yourself and use for discounted or free admission to museums, zoos, etc. (You can also use your membership letter for discounts, etc., instead of your card.)

I have a high school student, can I join?

Yes, we welcome high school students, but due to the events I have planned, we will not be able to provide transcripts or guidance for high school students for the 2018-2019 school year. See our High School FAQ for more information about homeschooling high school.

Do we have to participate in any of your activities?

No, all of our activities are optional. Our goal is to enhance your homeschool experience, not add more requirements and stress. Feel free to join in as many activities as you want, and leave out the rest.

What are your office hours? Can I call you if I have questions?

We are an internet-based organization and are available via email frequently throughout the day (and evening). After providing services, support, and group trips for over 14 years, we’ve found that email is the fastest and most efficient way to communicate with our members. We usually answer emails within 24 hours, but may take 48-72 hours if we’re away on a group field trip or event.

If telephone support is important to you, please join an association that meets your needs.

What am I required to do to homeschool in SC?

If you choose to homeschool under section 59-65-47 (commonly known as “Option 3” or “Third Option”), these are the requirements:

The primary instructor (parent or guardian) must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
You must teach 180 days (if you begin homeschooling after the school year begins, count any days spent in public or private school as part of your required 180 days).
You must teach, at a minimum, the areas of reading/literature, writing/composition, mathematics, science, and social studies.
You must maintain a plan book, diary, or other record of instruction and activities for each student.
You must keep a portfolio of samples of each student’s academic work.
You must maintain semiannual progress reports documenting attendance and progress in each required academic area.

What does your organization require for SC homeschoolers?

When you submit your registration, you’ll confirm you meet (or will meet) all the legal requirements stipulated in Section 59-65-47. At the end of the year, we’ll ask you to submit a form confirming that you completed 180 days of homeschooling and met all requirements.

Do you require us to mail our records to you?

No, the law mandates that parents/guardians maintain student records, not the homeschool association. However, Carolina Homeschooler reserves the right to request copies of your records if an official audit is requested by a SC agency (DSS, DJJ, Department of Education, etc.). In this case, you must mail a copy of your records within three days of receiving my request.

Do I have to notify our local school district, SC Department of Education, or any other state organization that we’re members of Carolina Homeschooler?

When you withdraw your children from school, give them a copy of your membership letter as proof of your legal status. You don’t need to notify any other state or local organization of your intent to homeschool.

If you’ve never registered your children at your local school (they were younger than 5, or you transferred from another state), you don’t need to notify your local school, or any other state or local organization of your intent to homeschool.

To protect your privacy, I won’t provide member information to any agency or organization unless I receive an official request for confirmation of your legal status.

Do you require textbooks? Do you approve curriculum? Do you require standardized testing?

No to all three questions. My experiences as a school psychologist, educational advocate, and homeschooler (for 25+ years) prove that learning happens all the time, with a breadth and depth that can’t be confined solely to textbooks or accurately measured by the narrow focus of standardized tests. Please feel free to use the resources and assessment methods that best meet the needs of your family.

Are membership fees refundable if we decide to re-enroll our children in public or private school?

Membership fees are not refundable for any reason.

What happens if DSS (or another agency) contacts me about my homeschool?

Email me at director@carolinahomeschooler.com within 24 hours with details about the situation and the name and phone number of the person who contacted you.

Ready to apply for membership?