Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I want to homeschool? Statement of faith
Preschoolers and Kindergarteners First grade
Sitting still during lessons Legal requirements
My friend hated homeschooling What subjects must I teach?
How many hours do I teach per day? Is testing required?
Removing a child from school Virtual public schools
Beginning/End of school year Year-round schooling
Is homeschooling legal in South Carolina? What if authorities knock on my door?
Who does Faithful Scholars report to? Am I qualified to teach my children?
Socialization Does our home school require a name?
Staying home all day with your kids Homeschooling a highschooler
Official transcripts Fees
Discounted memberships Contact information
   

 


WHY WOULD I WANT TO HOMESCHOOL?

  • Increase family time and relax your daily schedule.
  • Teach higher levels of academics.
  • Allow children to explore areas of interest in greater depth.
  • Have more ministry time.
  • Offer your children alternative approaches to learning.
  • Involve your children in personally acceptable social situations.
  • Flexibility to travel as a family on business trips.
  • Increased safety.
  • Instill personal, philosophical or religious values.
  • Well earned fun and extreme rewards.
  • Involvement in a supportive, encouraging community.
  • Formation of ifelong friends for children and parents.

DO YOU REQUIRE A STATEMENT OF FAITH?

  • No, we welcome and represent all denominations.
  • We are decidedly Christian and operate Faithful Scholars upon Biblical foundations.

REQUIREMENTS FOR HOMESCHOOLING A PRE-SCHOOLER…… KINDERGARTENER:

  • There are no absolute requirements for pre-schoolers or kindergartners.
  • Our kindergartners never do more than forty-five minutes of desk work on any given day….
  • Their primary method of learning is living school all day long at Mom and/or Dad’s knee.
    • Counting plates as we put them away.
    • Naming the colors of socks and matching them.
    • Cutting up the circulars with free abandon and glueing them together in patterns.
    • Science always seems to crawl in ones door, giving purpose to resource books.
    • And continuous, voracious reading.

HOW DO I BEGIN HOMESCHOOLING MY FIRST GRADER?

  • If your child is school age, you can join Faithful Scholars or another South Carolina third option accountability association and we/they will notify your school district of the number of students in their district that are legally homeschooling under SC Section 59-65-47. No personal information of any family is included in this document.
  • Families teaching pre-schoolers and kindergartners are welcome to join an accountability association but also have the option of contacting your local school district to request a waiver which will allow you to opt your child out of school until first grade. First graders and above must be registered with one of the three options available in order to homeschool legally in South Carolina.
  • Decide upon your curriculum, which should be very basic at this level, and dive in slowly. Talk to other homeschool moms, read recommended books and allow yourself to trust your instinct that you are more than able and equipped for this wonderous task.

MY ELEMENTARY-AGED CHILD WON’T SIT STILL DURING LESSONS!

  • That's alright. There is no single correct best method of learning or teaching.
  • Boys will tend to require more movement while learning, especially auditorily, than will girls.
  • Helpful suggestions to help your students focus while you are teaching subjects verbally:
    • playing with Lego’s
    • drawing or coloring
    • stringing beads
    • building anything
  • We are programmed to think that sitting still while learning is the most effective and appropriate method of learning. However, boys especially seem to need to move in order to pay attention and learn when it is non-interactive and non-tactile.
  • Question your child to see if they heard what you said, or understood what you've just completed. If their comprehension is adequate, joyfully allow their wriggling to continue.
  • They will eventually settle into a chair around 3rd, 4th or 5th grade and you will sweetly remember these times.

WHAT ARE MY LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES IF I DECIDE TO HOMESCHOOL?

You have three options to legally homeschool in the state of South Carolina. You must register under one of them or you will be acting outside of the law and may be brought up on truancy charges.

  • Option 1: Gaining approval of your local school district and following their directions. Some of which are to school a minimum of 4 ½ hours each day along with statewide testing. Section 59-65-40 of SC law. Virtual Public Schools fall under Option 1.
  • Option 2: Membership in SCAIS- South Carolina Association of Independent Schools operates under Section 59-65-45 of SC law. This is a wonderful but expensive association. They do require some testing and more intense accountability to their organization than do associations operating under Option 3.
  • Option 3: Membership in an accountability association, such as Faithful Scholars, which are patterned after SCAIHS but place greater trust and responsibility on the parent-teacher in the areas of teaching, testing and record keeping.

MY FRIEND HOMESCHOOLED AND HATED IT…

The basics of homeschooling can be found in various places but we recommend taking some time with this decision. As beautiful as home schooling is, it is not the easy road. It takes true commitment and awareness of what lies ahead. The decision to homeschool should never be a knee-jerk reaction to a school situation, although sometimes quick action is required. To avoid these steps often leads to frustration, burn out and eventually placing your child back into the situation from which they were first removed.

  • If you can, some time to pray about your desire to educate your children at home.
  • Make sure that your spouse is in agreement with you. You and your children will need his/her support more than you think.
  • Talk with experienced homeschoolers about learning styles, curriculum options, daily schedules, local support groups, etc.
  • Find a support group in your area and talk with them about ‘out-schooling’ (homeschooling field trips, picnics, events, small classes, etc). Join the one that best fits your location and family. They are very inexpensive for the valued support, event offerings and information connection they provide.
  • Read several books on homeschooling by several authors.
  • Finally, register with one of the above three options and begin homeschooling.

WHAT SUBJECTS MUST I TEACH?

  • Basic instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, science and social studies for grades one through six.
  • Grades seven through twelve require these same subjects as well as composition and literature.
  • Most families teach more than is required which is one of the many wonderful things about home centered education--joyful freedom to explore subjects that interests your student and you.

HOW MANY HOURS DO I HAVE TO SCHOOL PER DAY?

  • There are no time requirements under option 3 Section 59-69-47.
  • Each child learns at a different pace with varying attention spans. We have found that the greater their reading ability, the greater amount of schooling can be handled.
  • You know your student best. Children will always push to discover the parent-teachers’ limits. Learning should be relatively smooth for both student and teacher, but not always enjoyable.
  • The younger the student, the shorter the day. Set your time limits according to age, ability and experience. Our personal experience has brought us to the following general rules-- there will always be exceptions:
    • Pre-school- no more than 15 minutes of deskwork per day.
    • Kindergarten- a maximum of 45 minutes of deskwork per day.
    • 1st grade- an average of 1.5 hours of deskwork per day.
    • Add 30 to 60 minutes per grade, never exceeding an average of 5 hours per day until high school.
  • Some basic and some creative examples:
    • field trips count as a school day
    • completion of double lessons on one day counts as two days
    • cooking/baking/gardening/projects teach many subjects
    • sorting anything by type, size, color, etc is education
    • learning at mother or father’s knee is education
    • apprenticing is a hands-on form of education
    • parties and celebrations offer time to praise, encourage and move forward.
    • cleaning and chores are a part of every school day- public, private and home.

IS TESTING REQUIRED?

  • No, members of Faithful Scholars are not required to test their children through standardized testing.
  • Many families choose to test starting around 3rd, 4th or 5th grade in order to teach their children test taking skills in preperation for tests required of college bound students.
  • Testing also reassures the family of their child's educational level. Rarely are parent-teachers suprised with their childrens results.

HOW DO I GO ABOUT REMOVING MY CHILD FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL?

  • You are required to notify your child’s school that you are withdrawing him/her in order to pursue alternate educational choices.
  • This is best done in person with a written letter of intent that includes a request for your child’s school transcripts.
  • Faithful Scholars will send a letter of notification of your family’s legal homeschool status under SC Section 59-65-47 upon joining Faithful Scholars and per your request.

….AND, CAN I PLACE MY CHILD BACK INTO PUBLIC SCHOOL?

  • Yes, public schools cannot deny entrance to any child.
  • They will require your home school records and precise documentation in order to assess your childs education/grade level.
  • Highschoolers, with credits to transfer, will need clearly detailed documentation, especially of transcripts.
  • They may also require an entrance exam or placement test.

WILL IT BE EASY TO PLACE MY CHILD INTO A PRIVATE SCHOOL?

  • Yes, through a required entrance exam or placement test and interview.
  • Homeschooled children typically score well on these tests and present themselves well during the interview process.

CAN I USE A VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL AND BE A MEMBER OF FAITHFUL SCHOLARS?

WHEN SHOULD MY SCHOOL YEAR BEGIN AND END?

  • You are legally required to attend 180 days of school but there are no limits or suggestions as to when your home school year should start or end.
  • Our registration period is open year-round from August 1st to July 31st.

WHAT IS YEAR-ROUND SCHOOLING?

  • Using the full 365 days/year in order to teach (the required) 180 of those days.
  • Allows for a more relaxed weekly schedule.
  • Gives more flexibility to spontaneous learning moments.
  • Offers grace on those days that just do not seem to be flowing according to desire or design.
  • We love year-round schooling for the flexibility it offers us during our weeks but this schedule is not for every family.

IS HOMESCHOOLING LEGAL IN SOUTH CAROLINA?

  • Absolutely!
  • It is relatively easy to home educate, utilizing most any methods, and fulfil your legal requirements underS.C. State Section 59-65-47, option 3.
  • Option 3 allows homeschoolers to self-govern and home educate without restrictive state oversight.
  • ***Maintaining these freedoms requires responsibility and adherence to the legal requirements set forth for the S.C. homeschooling community.
  • To encouarage and equip our members through the legalities of S.C. homeschooling we offer two July Planning Days and two June Wrap-Up Days to set your new year in motion and complete your year ending in compliance.

WHAT IF AUTHORITIES KNOCK ON MY DOOR?

  • Have your current Faithful Scholars letter of membership on file at home.
  • Keep your membership/teachers card on your person when out and about.
  • Show these stamped/dated documents to the authorities and allow them to take down only the information on the letter/card.
  • Do not allow them entrance into your home or to question your children unless they have a warrant. To do so may allow them to inspect other areas of your home and home school.
  • Contact us within 24 hours after the authorities leave so we can answer their questions intelligently.
  • These investigation are uncommon in S.C.
  • Consider joining (HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association).
    • A wonderful association of lawyers that can educate you on and protect your home school rights.
    • Your annual fee provides you with phone consultations and court representation should it be needed.
    • Joining or renewing your HSLDA membership through Faithful Scholars you will save you 17%, paying $95/year instead of $115/year.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ACCOUNTABILITY ASSOCIATION AND A SUPPORT GROUP?

  • An accountability association is one of your options that will allow you legal homeschool status in South Carolina. The average annual cost is $50/family/year.
  • Faithful Scholars also has a heart to encourage and equip our members in all aspects of their home school through free workshops and planning days.
  • Support groups are local families joining together to offer social events, field trips, celebrations, networking, and much more to support and assist families along this road less taken. The average annual cost is $15/family/year

TO WHOM DOES FAITHFUL SCHOLARS REPORT MY PERSONAL INFORMATION?

  • We never report members’ personal information to any individual or organization.
  • Faithful Scholars does report each student-members grade level to their school district.
  • Annual reports of members’ compliance in accordance with section 59-65-47 will be filed with the State Board of Education. Again, no personal parent or student information will be on any forms.
  • The data that you send us is stored in protected, off-line data bases and will be kept confidential.

AM I QUALIFIED TO TEACH MY CHILD(REN)?

  • Yes. God has fully equipped you for every task to which He will call you.
  • Only a parent or legal guardian may teach their children.
  • You must have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent general educational development (GED) certificate.
  • After meeting these legal requirements, our personal opinion is that if one man can do it, so can you.
  • Teaching is learning one page before your student.
  • In areas such as higher math, physics, composition, etc in which you may feel overwhelmed, it is usual and acceptable to hire a tutor or place your child in one of the many wonderful local programs being taught by qualified teaching professional. Often they are home schooling moms & dads with extensive knowledge and/or degrees in said areas.
  • In order to homeschool, you must be in charge of educating your child for a minimum of 51% of their academic work.

WHAT ABOUT SOCIALIZATION?

  • It is a problem.
  • There are so many social opportunities open to home schooling families that it can be difficult to maintain a normal level of socialization and to avoid over-socialization. Instead of a few minutes of visiting between classes or over recess, your children will be able to form deep and lasting friendships during hours of intense play, work and/or learning.
  • In addition, the parents also form their own deep and lasting friendships, which enhances and supports our homeschooling journey.
  • Local support groups have a vast array of social, educational and ministerial opportunities.
  • We recommend joining a local support group and participating as fully as you are able. You will always take away more than you can imagine.

DOES OUR HOME SCHOOL REQUIRE A NAME?

  • No, but it is lots of family fun, as well as enlightening, to create a school name and its' missions statement.
  • It eases time when filling out forms.
  • Your children will have a sense of security and pride in their school.

YOU LIKE STAYING HOME ALL DAY WITH YOUR KIDS?

  • An emphatic "Yes!" is the only way I can answer this question.
  • As far as staying home, that is a relative term. We are together all of each day and it's most often wonderful.
  • Make a plan of how you desire your children to behave and then decide how to guide them toward your goals...And consistently follow through.
  • Training is part of our daily, and sometimes hourly, lessons. As we progress we like being together more and more. This applies to parents as well as children.
  • There are moments when we realize that our child training has become lax and is in need of tweaking, but our children are with us all day so a little while at the drafting board, some determination and focus and results come readily.
  • It is wonderful, not always easy, but wonderful!

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HOMESCHOOL A HIGHSCHOOLER?

  • Absolutely, it is done every day by thousands of families.
  • Find one of these families through your local support group and share your fears with them.
  • Faithful Scholars offers you encouragement and education in the forms of free workshops, planning days and links.
  • Utilize outside sources such as tutors, small classes, co-ops, etc.
  • High school juniors and seniors are welcome to take classes at technical colleges and two-year colleges for dual credit- often for free!
  • Dual credit is also available through distance learning.
  • Teaching high school is more daunting than teaching elementary or middle school ages but the premise is the same- what one man can learn, do and teach, so can you!

WHAT DOES FAITHFUL SCHOLARS OFFER FOR MY HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE BOUND STUDENT?

  • Workshops on building a transcripts, locating scholarships and applying to colleges. Free to members. $25 for non-members based upon space availability.
  • High School specialist with over twenty years of teaching experience available for consultation sessions.
  • Free on-line assistance if requests are able to be met in a timely fashion.
  • $35/session, up to one hour, for personal consultation.
  • S.C. high school credit requirements.
  • SAT prep in math and English.
  • Testing dates and links.
  • Transcript assistance. Must have grades on our Faithful Scholars transcript form.
  • High School Diplomas with the name of your school.
  • Downloadable/printable forms.

DO YOU PROVIDE OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS?

  • Yes. Our transcripts are similar to what local public and private schools use and will meet all college requirements.
  • We will create annual transcripts for a fee of $50/student/year.
  • We will maintain your student-members’ transcripts from year to year in order to culminate their high school grades/credits on one official document under the name of your home school.
  • You must maintain and/or enter grades on our downloadable annual transcript records form in order for Faithful Scholars to create/maintain your transcripts.

DO I NEED TO BE A MEMBER OF AN ACCOUNTABILITY ASSOCIATION IN ORDER FOR MY TEENAGER TO RECEIVE HIS DRIVERS LICENSE?

  • Yes, your Faithful Scholars Membership Card and Membership Letter are validation that he is attending school.
  • Take your member’s letter to the DMV and they will note your Home School on the application.
  • If you have never joined an association before you have been blessed to avoid truancy charges- join one now!
  • South Carolina is a wonderful state in which to home school, but we must respect the legal leeway given us in order to maintain our freedoms and to continue breaking through the barriers of pre or mal-formed opinion.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO JOIN FAITHFUL SCHOLARS?

  • Single-student family membership $25/year
  • Multi-student family membership $50/year
  • High school students add an additional $25/student
  • High school diplomas add an additional $25/diploma/student
  • Official transcript’s $50/transcript/student
  • Personal consultation $35/hour

DO YOU OFFER ANY DISCOUNTED MEMBERSHIPS?

  • SCHEA discounted membership www.schomeeducatorsassociation.org $15 w/ membership
  • Enchanted Learning discounted membership www.enchantedlearning.com $5 w/ membership
  • Workshops free w/ membership
  • July Planning Day free to members and non-members.
  • May Wrap Up Day free to Faithful Scholars members only.
  • Discovery Educating Streaming www.etv.org/education/streamlinesc free w/ membership
  • HSLDA discounted membership www.hslda.org $95 Download applications/renewals from www.hslda.com, write a separate check to HSLDA and mail with completed Faithful Scholars application.

HOW DO I CONTACT FAITHFUL SCHOLARS?