Many families are interested in homeschooling but aren’t sure about the differences between homeschooling, virtual public charters, and other options. I hope this helps to clarify.
Homeschooling
Homeschoolers are governed by SC’s homeschool law. We pay for everything ourselves and have the freedom to choose our own curriculum, resources, methods of assessment, and schedule. Our children are not considered public school students, can learn at their own pace, don’t have to answer to outside teachers, and aren’t required to take standardized tests.
If you choose to homeschool, you have to register with a homeschool association. Most families choose an association that operates under Option 3 of the SC homeschool law. (Options 1 and 2 are considered more restrictive, requiring curriculum approval, more documentation, and testing. For more details, see this.)
Personalized Education Program (through the ESTFP)
The Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program, administered by the South Carolina Department of Education, allows eligible parents to apply for a scholarship that can be used toward a personalized education program for their child. These options may include enrollment in approved private, online, or religious schools; curriculum and tutoring services; educational equipment and supplies; specialized services; and more — all subject to state approval.
NOTE: Families choosing this option are not homeschooling, and cannot register to homeschool through Options 1, 2, or 3.
Students must take standardized tests (possibly three times a year, depending on circumstances), and the results of these tests must be reported to the state. Graduation information must also be reported to the state. (Other tracking information is required – see the links above for more information.)
This new alternative raises a lot of questions, and the available information is often conflicting and unclear. Here are some FAQs from an external website — I can’t guarantee their accuracy.
SC Public Virtual Charter Schools
If you want to enroll your children with one of SC’s public virtual charter schools (Connections, SCVCS/K12, Odyssey Online Learning, SC Whitmore School, whatever), they will be public school students. The state will pay for their curriculum, but your students will have to follow public school requirements (curriculum, testing, schedules, etc.).
If you choose to enroll in one of these schools, don’t register as a homeschooling family. (You won’t be homeschooling.)
Online Private Schools (religious, secular, accredited, or whatever)
If you want to enroll your children in an online private school that serves homeschoolers, you’ll likely still have to register with a homeschool association. You have to be “counted” somewhere in a public school, private school, or homeschool association that reports to the South Carolina Department of Education, and most online schools don’t. The online school is providing your curriculum, but you’re still homeschooling because you’re paying for it and you have the freedom to choose a different curriculum at any time.
Still confused?
If you’re paying for it, can change it up at any time, and don’t need the state’s approval (or ‘approved’ vendors) to do it, then you’re likely homeschooling. If the state is paying for it, whether through a virtual school or through the ESTFP, then you’re not homeschooling.*
*This isn’t a value judgment — it’s simply the legal language required to distinguish between the various educational options in South Carolina. The more choices we have, the better!
It all boils down to freedom. If you want to have the most control and freedom over what your children learn, and the way they learn it, then homeschooling is the best fit for you.
VirtualSC
VirtualSC often confuses people because they think it’s a SC public virtual charter school, but it’s not a school at all. The state of South Carolina provides free virtual classes to public, private, and homeschool students in grades 6-12 through VirtualSC. These classes are for all SC students who may not otherwise have access to certain subjects. They also provide credit recovery classes for public school students who failed a class in their local school and need to retake it to get the credit. (You have to be legally registered as a public, private, or homeschool student to take these classes.)
Not sure what you want to do?
Research all your options and then start with what you think is the best fit for your family. My FAQs will help you learn more about homeschooling.
If you think you want to start with a virtual public charter school (because that’s what you’re used to with the public schools, or you want them to pay for your curriculum, or whatever), then apply as soon as possible. There may be limits, and time-sensitive requirements.
If you change your mind during the year (not uncommon), you can switch to homeschooling.
I want to homeschool, but I want to keep my kids on track with the public schools so they can return next year. What should I do?
- You can talk to your school and see if they’re willing to help you coordinate their learning.
- You can enroll with a public virtual charter school since that’s public school at home and should (theoretically) be the same as brick-and-mortar schools.
- You can embrace homeschooling this year and take advantage of all the benefits of homeschooling, then coordinate re-entry whenever you decide to return.
(For the record, I recommend #3.)