South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools
Advantages of Joining SCAIHS
Membership in SCAIHS and continuing compliance with its
standards fully satisfies the demands of South Carolina's
Compulsory attendance laws (see Section 59-65-45 of the Code
of Laws of South Carolina). Because SCAIHS members are not
under the jurisdiction of the public school district, they
do not need to seek approval from their local school board.
The SCAIHS board and staff are committed to helping families
experience success in home schooling. Services to member
families include educational and curriculum counseling,
teacher training seminars, and support from a qualified and
well-trained staff. SCAIHS serves home schools with students
from first grade through high school, plus limited services
to preschool and kindergarten students. The staff is
available Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
By endorsing both traditional and more creative approaches
to education, such as unit studies and teacher developed
curriculum, SCAIHS allows for variety and flexibility in
curriculum choices. Parents may use traditional curriculum
provided by textbook publishers or nontraditional materials
from various sources as well as field trips, travel
experiences, computer programs, educational
television/videos, and other innovations in technology.
Progress reports, summarizing the student's studies, are
designed to help keep parents accountable.
Permanent records are kept for each student. Should a member
student transfer to a public or private school from the home
school or seek admission to a college or university, SCAIHS
will issue a transcript to that institution upon the
parent's written request. This documentation is especially
critical at the high school level. (Pertinent graduate
records are kept permanently. Other records are purged after
three years of inactivity.)
SCAIHS high school students routinely participate in the
following programs and activities:
Palmetto Girls State and Boys State
Government internship programs
Internships, apprenticeships, and travel
TeenPact Leadership Program
Community service projects, volunteer work, and church work
Dual-enrollment programs in both two- and four- year
colleges and universities
The High School Program provides credible documentation
(credit units) for completed course work. Diplomas are
issued at the formal graduation ceremony in June to seniors
who have fulfilled graduation requirements. SCAIHS students
are recipients of many prestigious academic awards and
scholarships and continue to be accepted into the colleges
and universities of their first choice.
The qualified staff from the special needs program provide
parents with educational counseling in this specific area.
SCAIHS members have flexibility in determining a school
calendar as long as the 180 days of documented instruction
are completed by May 31. Choices include a traditional
nine-month school year, year-round schooling, or block
scheduling.
The annual testing program gives parents the freedom to
choose the test administrator and the test site.
SCAIHS members receive a membership card enabling them to
qualify for some discounts available to schools.
SCAIHS members also have access to
teacher enrichment seminars and informative e-mail updates, as
well as state and national legislative changes.
SCAIHS members receive a 15% discount on most items in the
Home School Bookstore.