South Dakota Catholic Homeschooling - The Catholic Homeschool

Catholic Homeschooling in South Dakota

How to Homeschool in South Dakota

It is easy to homeschool in South Dakota! This low-regulation state only has a few requirements to comply with the laws governing home education:

1. Submit a notification form with either the Department of Education or your local school district.

2. Notify the state or your school district if you move or enroll you children in school.

3. Don’t teach more than 22 children.

4. Teach your child the minimum skills of language arts and math.

There are no teacher qualifications, testing requirements, or immunization requirements.

South Dakota Department of Education Home School Information
Parents/guardians who choose to provide alternative instruction pursuant to SDCL 13-27-3 are required to file an Alternative Instruction Notification. The notification must be submitted on a form provided by the Department of Education. For individuals who choose, a paper copy of the notification may be downloaded and submitted per the instructions on the form.

South Dakota Alternative Instruction
Includes information from South Dakota codified laws, administrative rules, Department of Education program policies, and policies of the South Dakota High School Activities Association.

South Dakota Homeschool Statutes
Text of Senate Bill 177, an act to revise the provisions of parental choice regarding compulsory school attendance and related matters.

How to Comply with South Dakota’s Homeschool Law
How to Withdraw Your Child from School in South Dakota
Special Education Provisions for South Dakota
The Importance of Recordkeeping in South Dakota

Lobbying & Advocacy Organizations

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
HSLDA is the nation’s largest homeschool advocacy organization. They protect the rights of homeschoolers in court, advocate for homeschool freedom in state legislatures, and work to advance homeschooling in the public arena.

The Education Alliance of Christian Homeschoolers in South Dakota (TEACHSD)
TEACHSD is dedicated to the cultivation, protection and promotion of Christian homeschooling and the homeschool community in the state of South Dakota. These goals are pursued by legislative and policy work of the Families for Alternative Instruction Rights in South Dakota committee to advance, protect and secure homeschooling rights; planning and execution efforts of the Christian Homeschool Conference of South Dakota committee who provide the annual state conference to inspire and encourage homeschooling families; coordinating communication between independent local homeschool support and activity groups and homeschool families; working to educate the community and public of the importance of parent-directed education and the freedoms required to allow it to flourish. TEACHSD is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation with Board, Committee and membership representation from across the state and its members receive discounted HSLDA memberships.

Families for Alternative Instruction Rights in South Dakota
FAIRSD is the Legislative Action Committee of TEACHSD, dedicated to advancing, protecting and securing alternative instruction rights in South Dakota.

Catholic Homeschool Support Groups

Black Hills Catholic Home Educators (BHCHE)
Black Hills Area, South Dakota
This Catholic homeschool group offers support to Catholic homeschooling families around the Black Hills area and western South Dakota. They offer activities such as family gatherings, mothers support group, prayer opportunities, retreats, and co-ops.

Saint Margaret’s Fellowship
Sioux Falls, SD
Saint Margaret’s Fellowship is a Catholic homeschool group serving the greater Sioux Falls, SD, area. It exists to support the efforts and protect the rights of those providing home education according to the magisterial teachings of the Catholic faith. They offer educational co-operatives, liturgical events, extracurricular activities, field trips, drama camp, mothers’ groups, and dads’ night out events.

Sioux Falls Catholic Homeschoolers
Sioux Falls, SD
This group is for practicing Catholics in the Sioux Falls area who are homeschooling all or some of their children. Its primary purpose is to post about activities and events happening within the Sioux Falls community, whether it be a homeschool activity or just for fun. We can also share about and ask for advice regarding family/homeschooling life.

Do you know of a Catholic homeschool co-op in South Dakota? Help us build our Catholic homeschool directory. Send us information via our Contact Form.

Catholic Homeschool Co-ops

Black Hills Catholic Home Educators (BHCHE)
Black Hills Area, South Dakota
This Catholic homeschool group offers support to Catholic homeschooling families around the Black Hills area and western South Dakota. They offer activities such as family gatherings, mothers support group, prayer opportunities, retreats, and co-ops.

Saint Margaret’s Fellowship
Sioux Falls, SD
Saint Margaret’s Fellowship is a Catholic homeschool group serving the greater Sioux Falls, SD, area. It exists to support the efforts and protect the rights of those providing home education according to the magisterial teachings of the Catholic faith. They offer educational co-operatives, liturgical events, extracurricular activities, field trips, drama camp, mothers’ groups, and dads’ night out events.

Do you know of any Catholic homeschool co-ops near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.

Hybrid Programs & Homeschool Academies

Catholic Schoolhouse
Rapid City, SD
Catholic Schoolhouse is a supplemental program designed to help homeschool families enrich their educational experience through a flexible approach to learning inspired by classical elements presented in a structure denvironment. They serve students in grades K-8 and meet once a week during the school year. The Rapid City Chapter offers classes in history, geography, Latin, science, religion, art, music, and memory work.

Turris Eburnea Homeschool Academy – Schola Dominici Gregis Domestica
Rapid City, SD
Turris Eburnea Homeschool Academy’s primary goal is to bring greater glory to God by restoring the sacred to Catholic education. This homeschool hybrid academy meets twice a week for academic and enrichment classes, fellowship opportunities, sports, and communal prayer that supplement the Catholic homeschool. This is a parish group associated with Immaculate Conception Church (FSSP).

Do you know of any Catholic hybrid homeschool programs or homeschool academies near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.

Catholic Homeschool Conferences

The 2024 Catholic Homeschool Conference
Virtual Conference
June 7-8, 2024

This virtual conference features topics covering homeschool guidance, marriage and family, and character and virtue development. Speakers include Bishop Joseph Strickland, Emily Brown, Bonnie Landry, and more. There will also be a homeschool graduate panel. The Catholic Homeschool Directory is a virtual exhibitors hall. You can browse through curriculum, programs, tools, and businesses who support your family’s homeschool journey.

Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference & Curriculum Fair
St. Paul College, St. Paul, MN
May 31 – June 1, 2024

After a 3-year hiatus, the Minnesota Catholic Home Education and Curriculum Conference is back! This annual conference is one of the largest Catholic homeschooling conferences in the country. Listen to speakers from around the country and meet other homeschoolers from your area. Conference attendees can browse through the vendors hall, go to workshops and talks, and network with other homeschoolers. Keynote Speaker 2023: Pam Barnhill, Host of the Your Morning Basket Podcast

Rocky Mountain Catholic Home Educators Conference
Most Precious Blood, Denver, CO
July 12-13, 2024

This annual conference is independent and local, bringing in speakers from around the country. Featured speakers for 2023 include Maureen Wittmann of Homeschool Connections, Kerri Davison of Holy Heroes, Sara Masarik, and Ana Braga-Henebry. Conference attendees can browse through the vendors hall, go to workshops and talks, and network with other homeschoolers.

Click to find more Catholic conferences across the US!

Local Classes & Programs for Homeschoolers

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Rapid City, Ipswich, Watertown, Piedmont, Aberdeen, Timber Lake, Pine Ridge, Fort Pierre, Black Hawk, Canton, Spearfish, Sioux Falls, Hartford
CGS is a program focusing on the contemplation and enjoyment of God. It is shared in a place particularly prepared for the religious life of children called the Atrium.

Diocese of Sioux Falls, SD Scouting

American Heritage Girls
St. Lambert Catholic Church, Sioux Falls, SD

Do you know of any great local classes or programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.

Sports for Homeschoolers

Public School Access for Homeschoolers in South Dakota
Each public school district shall allow homeschool students to participate in athletics, fine arts, or activities within the district in which the child resides.

Turris Eburnea Homeschool Academy – Schola Dominici Gregis Domestica
Rapid City, SD
Turris Eburnea Homeschool Academy offers a boys basketball team for boys 6 through 12. This team is open to all boys, not just students at Turris Eburnea Homeschool Academy.

Do you know of any great sports programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.

Diocese & Parish Resources

Diocese of Sioux Falls

Diocese of Rapid City

Shrines & Pilgrimages in South Dakota

The House of Mary Shrine
Yankton, SD
The House of Mary Shrine is located 6 miles west of Yankton, SD. Three Crosses tower above from a bluff overlooking Lewis & Clark Lake. The bluff is similar to other bluffs near Gavins Point Dam with its panoramic view. There is also a chapel, statues, flowing waters, a Holy Innocents Garden, the Way of the Cross, the Way of the Saints, rosaries, veteran’s memorial, and a gift shop. Tours are available by appointment.

Fatima Family Shrine
Alexandria, SD
Mid-America’s Fatima Family Shrine honors the Holy Family and the Holy Eucharist. At the base of the shrine are soil and rock from the the place Mary appeared to three children in Portugal. It has chapels made with South Dakota granite, with Portuguese marble statues of the Holy Family, Jesus, and the angel that appeared to the children. There is an outdoor Penitential Path leading to the Pope and Martyrs’ Shrine. You can also visit the Pro-Life Shrine, featuring Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the statue of the Angel of the Family. Next door is the church of St. Mary of Mercy, with a replica of the statue of Mary found in Fatima.

Do you know of any Catholic pilgrimage sites or shrines that would be perfect for a homeschool field trip? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.

Field Trips in South Dakota

Field Trips in South Dakota

South Dakota Field Trips

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