Accountability Associations in South Carolina

If you are a director of an accountability association in South Carolina and would like to be featured on this page, please contact SCHEA. It's free, and the information allows homeschool parents in the state to choose the accountability association most suitable for their family, as well as helps accountability association directors by eliminating inquiries about this basic information. Information listed below was requested specifically by SCHEA for the purpose of serving homeschoolers in the state. Groups are listed in alphabetical order.

Faithful Scholars, LLC

Contact: Kate Bach, Administrator, 105 Friendfield Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29715; (803) 548-4428 office; (803) 802-7446 FAX; www.faithfulscholars.com; katie@faithfulscholars.com
Physical Location: Fort Mill, SC
Area Covered in the State: Statewide, but predominantly surrounding counties: York, Chester and Lancaster
Description/Philosophy: Faithful Scholars is a Christian organization designed to assist our members in expanding their knowledge, experience and enjoyment of their home school journey. We prefer to serve local families in order to be accessible to our members and to provide them with free workshops throughout each academic year. We are an option three (59-65-47) Home School Accountability Association committed to helping home educators meet their South Carolina legal requirements by educating them in their administrative duties as well as being their legal liaison to the State Board of Education.
Established: Fall 2008
Requirements of Membership: Follow and meet minimum South Carolina home school law. See 'legal' section on our website.
Deadlines: Renewed and annual membership should be applied for by September 10 of each year, however we accept new applicants pulling their child(ren) out of school after the academic year has begun may join at any time.
Services Offered:
- Membership letter/card
- Letters of reference for driver's education and dual enrollment
- Record keeping forms
- Consultation on most areas related to home schooling
- Workshops on most areas related to home schooling
- Planning and Wrap Up Retreats
- Scholarship location and application referral
- Local Programs guide for local members
- Class ranking, transcripts and diplomas
- Discounted Monday's Artists fine arts program registration www.mondaysartists.com
- Discounted Enchanted Learning membership www.enchantedlearning.com
- Discounted Edu-Measures rates www.edu-measures.com
- HSLDA and SCHEA discounted membership
- Cost: $25 for single-student family; $50 for multi-student family; $25 additional per high school student; $25 per diploma; $50 per annual transcript (attend our workshop and learn how to maintain your student's transcripts)
- OR $100 per final transcript (required for college application) when you maintain your student's transcripts; $35 per 1-hour consultation
- Record Keeping Requirements:
- Annual compliance commitment (with application)
- Brief description of curriculum plan (with application)
- Annual compliance form upon completion of academic year
- Mid-year progress report
- End of year report

Foothills Accountability Association

Contact: Kim Williams, Administrator, P.O Box 351, Seneca, SC 29679, 864-972-2460 briarwd@bellsouth.net
Area covered in the state: Oconee, Pickens, Anderson Counties OR any county in the Upstate as long as you are willing to travel twice yearly for Check-off meetings
Description/Philosophy: Foothills Accountability Association was originally formed as a service to the Christian homeschooling community, although a statement of faith is not required, and all homeschoolers are welcome as long as our requirements are met. We believe that we are accountable to God and each other, to fulfill our homeschooling responsibilities as required by law, and to represent the homeschooling community in a honorable, positive and appropriate manner, that uplifts and benefits all homeschoolers. All curriculums and methods of homeschooling are encouraged and welcome as long as schooling is performed in a reasonable and diligent fashion.
Established: Established in 1996 as one of the original 59-65-47 3rd Option groups, Foothills is governed by a volunteer Administrator who is supported and assisted by a selected volunteer Review Board.
Requirements of Membership: To become a Foothills member, you must submit application for membership for each family, listing all homeschooled students, and pay membership fee.
Deadlines: Membership is open year-round, with no late fees for joining later in the year.
Services Offered:
- Registered as a legal 3rd Option Association with the Dept. of Education
- Filing of all scholarships applications, as required, and a ranking report provided for all students registered as a college-bound student
- Membership packet with Certification of Membership and Membership Card
- Letters to DMV, tech schools, colleges as required. Verifications of homeschooling to DSS, IRS, SSA, insurance companies, military, and others as requested
- Curriculum and academic counseling upon request
- College transcript and portfolio assistance as requested
- Email chain with legislative updates, and items of interest pertaining to homeschooling
- SCHEA discount group
- Newsletter containing news, legislative updates, upcoming workshops and field trips, classified ads (free for members) and other items of interest to homeschoolers, printed 3-4 times yearly.
- Mandatory New Member Orientation will help you begin your journey into homeschooling, answering your questions about curriculum, social opportunities/support groups, how to keep records, homeschooling high schoolers and special needs students, etc.
- Helpful workshops for members covering topics useful to the homeschooling family, including, How to Teach and Assess Writing, Teaching an ADD/ADHD child, Organizing Your Home, High School Transcript/Portfolio Workshop, How to Homeschool High School and many more.
- A limited amount of used homeschooling curriculum available for members to borrow for the school year, while supplies last.
- 2 Check-off Meetings per year, providing mutual accountability, support, fellowship, and refreshments, held in three locations convenient to your home
- We are always available to provide encouragement, support and counseling should you need it! We are fellow homeschoolers who have been where you are and we support one another.
Membership Cost: $30 per family, per year. Additional $20 fee for each Senior registered. Additional $5.00 per student fee for high school students. We accept check, money order, or cash. Membership fees are discounted for TCHE support group members.
Record-keeping Requirements: State law requires parents to keep a Planbook of 180 days of instruction, a minimum of two Progress Reports per school year, and a portfolio of work samples. Foothills' members are required to attend 2 Check-off meetings per year, one in January and one in May, bringing records listed above to show volunteer homeschooling parents for mutual accountability. In addition to the above, high school students must show either A) submit transcripts from previous schools, and provide a transcript in May showing GPA using the Uniform Grading Scale, or B) Register with us as a "General Studies" high schooler and NOT keep grades using the UGS (with no intention of attending any Technical College or University) We have NO daily time requirements, NO testing requirements, and Schooling year round is fine as long as 180-day minimum is completed by May 31.

Grace Home School Association

Contact: mail@graceemail.org , PO Box 12672, Florence, SC 29504, 843-667-9777 Toll-free: 1-888-690-4229
Physical Address: 137 S. McQueen Street, Florence, SC 29501
Area covered in the state: Statewide
Description/Philosophy: The leadership of Grace is composed of Christian folks, but the Association is open to homeschoolers of all faiths. Its members use a variety of methods of teaching from traditional to non-traditional.
Established: Established in 1993, Grace is governed by a Board of Directors.
Requirements of Membership: To become a Grace member, submit application for school and for each student and pay membership fee.
Deadlines: Memberships are discounted second and subsequent years when renewing prior to July 15. Membership is open year-round, except for seniors. No seniors accepted after January 31 of graduation year. Membership is open year-round.
Services Offered:
- Membership packet with Certification of Membership, Membership Card, Grace Handbook, and record-keeping forms.
- Graduation service, diplomas, transcript service for high school students and one-time transcripts for those returning to conventional schools.
- Letters to DMV, tech schools, colleges as required. Verifications of homeschooling to DSS, DJJ, IRS, SSA, military, and others as requested.
- Group annual standardized testing, although testing is not required
- Email newsletter with news, activities for homeschoolers, and legislative information pertaining to homeschooling
- HSLDA discount group
- New and Used bookstore to buy and sell your homeschool books, located in Florence. Will ship books.
- Friendly, personal office staff, prepared to answer your question during regular office hours in person, via phone or email.
- GRACE Plus is available for those wanting more accountability and record-keeping service. Annual cost for this service is: Grades K-8 $40, Grades 9-12 $60
- We also have a private school in Florence with grades 7-12, using homeschool methods for those who would like to homeschool their child but are unable to do so.
- We are here for YOU!
Membership Cost: $75 per family. If only a kindergartener in family, dues are $35. We accept check, money order, debit and credit cards - Visa, MasterCard, and AMEX.
Record-keeping Requirements: Attendance records are required to be submitted each year. High school students must submit transcripts from previous schools and our high school form submitted annually. No daily time requirements, flexibility in determining school calendar.

Homeward Education Association (HEA)

Contact: Rachel Ward, Administrator, 6 Professional Court, Sumter, SC 29150, Office 803-469-4927, FAX 803-469-4928, www.homewarded.com
Physical location: Office is in Sumter, SC
Area covered in the state: Statewide
Description/Philosophy: Homeward Education Association runs on Christian business principles. It is a �59-65-47 Home School Association open to any homeschooling family in the state that can and will abide by the minimums of the law. HEA's goal is to help families homeschool successfully.
Established: HEA was established in 1996, the year the 3rd option law was passed.
Requirements of Membership: Follow minimums of the state law.
Deadlines: The membership year follows the school calendar for accountability purposes. Can join anytime during the school year; a late fee applies if application is filed after September 15th.
Services Offered:
- Membership letters and cards for member families
- Consultation and curriculum counseling geared to the needs of your family and particular style learners
- Class ranking, transcripts, and diplomas
- High school graduation service (that is also open to others outside HEA)
- Workshops and seminars
- Willing to come to support groups around the state to offer informative workshops
- HEA Bookstore - limited new and used curriculum and books available; Hours: Monday through Friday 2-5 PM, private appointments available
- Resource Room/Lending Library
- HSLDA- discount group and SCHEA-discount group
- Up-to-date, informative website
Cost: $30 if 1 child in the family, per school year $60 for 2 or more children per family per school year $25 high school fee per family per school year, $25 per diploma $10 late fee per family after September 15th $25 for 1st hour consultation fee and $10 per hour thereafter
Recordkeeping Requirement: Annual compliance form with Check-off list for minimums with attachment of curriculum used and progress reports

L.E.A.R.N.

Contact: Phyllis Borden, Director, 1021 Meadowview Drive, Gallatin, TN 37066, 864-684-7373, sistersact2@bellsouth.net , www.learnhomeschoolservices.us
Area covered in the State: Upstate South Carolina
Description/Philosophy: LEARN is a non profit association. The director is a certified teacher with 30 years experience in the classroom. She will assist new home school parent/teachers who have many questions when getting started.
Established: The association was started in the summer of 2003. We are an individual director.
Requirements for Membership: The requirements must meet the Third Option 59-65-47 SC law which is stated in our missions statement.
Deadlines: Members can join mid-year. We begin renewal memberships in June. There is a break in membership fees if renewed by July 15.
Services Offered:
- Services for transcripts
- Diplomas
- Standardized testing
- Variety of forms
Membership Cost: Cost is $35.00 per family per year. There is a fee of $25.00 for transcripts and diplomas and standardized test administration.
Record Keeping Requirements: Parents are required to keep their own records for grades. If a parent needs assistance, I will meet with them personally. Suggestions are made to join HSLDA for legal purposes.

Palmetto State Association of Homeschools

Contact: Kathy Phillips PO Box 638, Gaffney, SC 29342 Phone: (864) 381-7724, psah.sc@gmail.com, Website: www.palmettostate.org
Area covered in the state: Residents living within the 803 and 864 area code
Description: A 3rd-option accountability association operating under the minimum requirements to allow each family the freedom to choose the best course for their child's education. Requirements of Membership: Complete and submit an application. PSAH accepts members at any time during the academic year.
Services offered:
- Graduation
- Transcript services
- Curriculum counseling
- Diplomas
- Training workshops
- Support
- Email loop and blog for updates
Membership Cost: $50 per family per academic year
Record-keeping requirements: A statement of agreement that parents are maintaining required records at their homes.

South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS)

Contact: Kathleen W. Carper, President, 930 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033-3320, Phone: 803-454-0427, FAX: 803-454-0428, scaihs@scaihs.org, www.SCAIHS.org Home School Bookstore phone: 803-227-2665
Area covered in the state: Statewide
Physical Location: Office is located in the Midlands, in Cayce across the bridge from Columbia
Description: SCAIHS is a nonprofit, voluntary association of independent home schools incorporated on July 25, 1990, as an organization to coordinate and establish academic standards and to provide support services for independent home schools. On April 8, 1992, the South Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation (Option 2, Section 59-65-45) naming the South Carolina Association of Independent Homes School as a legal, alternate source of approval for home-schooling parents. Its board and staff are Christians, but membership is open to all. A mixture of all types of home education methods can be found among its membership.
Requirements of Membership: Membership application by deadline with appropriate fees.
Restrictions of Membership: None, other than requirements listed above. Members do not have to belong to a specific support group or live in a particular place in order to join. SCAIHS accepts members from across the state. There are no restrictions on number of years homeschooling. SCAIHS does not require a Statement of Faith or Code of Conduct. A parent or legal guardian must be the primary instructor, and all students must have adult supervision during "traditional school hours." In compliance with state law, a parent or legal guardian must be the primary instructor and must possess at least a high school diploma or GED.
Deadlines: Members can join mid-year, with the exception of seniors (unless just moving from out-of-state). For high school members joining at the beginning of the year, the deadline for application is September 15 for first semester, January 15 for second semester; exceptions granted on a case-by-case basis.
Services Offered: SCAIHS' experienced staff is available weekdays from 9:30-5:00. They provide curriculum and educational counseling and heart-to-heart encouragement. Their services are divided into an Elementary Education Program, Middle School Program, High School Program, and Special Needs Program, providing permanent records and official transcripts, and at high school level, DMV letters, class rank, guidance counselor services for scholarship applications, graduation ceremony, and diplomas. SCAIHS also offers its members teacher enrichment seminars, informative newsletters, a well-stocked resource room, timely email updates, annual group standardized testing, a membership card allowing discounts at some businesses and museums, 15% discount on most items in the Home School Bookstore. All members benefit from the positive accountability that is the hallmark of SCAIHS. In addition to the above, SCAIHS offers:
- Training workshops
- Honor society
- Group standardized testing
- Bookstore carrying new and used materials - open to all
- Institute for Excellence in Writing Seminars - open to all
- Getting Started Home Schooling Workshops - open to all
- SCAIHS is a SCHEA-discount group and HSLDA-discount group
Membership Cost: Annual membership fees*--$328 for families with one student; $388 for families with two students; $448 for families with three or more students; High School Fee--$95; Special Needs Fee--$70; Per Course Fee for Middle School Students taking high school courses for credit--$25; Senior Fee--$50; Late Fees�additional $25 after August 1, $50 after September 1; *Payment plan is available.
Record-keeping Requirements: Parents sign a Statement of Commitment agreeing to maintain records at home and submit reports to SCAIHS. Parents submit the following: For K6 through 8th grades: Proposed Course of Study with the application Attendance/Progress Reports due November 7 and June 7 Year-End Report Card For grades 9-12: Course Schedule Course Descriptions for each course Attendance/Progress Reports due November 7 and March 7 Course Credit Records for all completed courses Year-End Report Card For Special Needs Students in grades K6-8: Midyear Checklist due March 7
Other requirements: All students in grades 3-12 are required to take an annual standardized test.

Vine and Branches Homeschool Association

Contact: Kim Mitchell, PO Box 16075 Surfside Beach, SC 29587, 843-504-8194; If in the Rock Hill area, 803-417-7951, Kim.mitchell@vine-branches.org
Area covered in the state: Statewide
Description: Vine and Branches is a non-profit corporation formed to provide Christian homeschoolers with a quality, cost-effective means by which to fulfill the SC 3rd option homeschool law. Their goal is to help new homeschooling families get off to a positive start. They work with local homeschool support groups in various regions of the state to provide workshops, long distance field trips, book sales, and various other activities to encourage and uplift their members.
Established: The group started with 50 families in the fall of 2001 and became a non-profit organization in February of 2004. It is board-directed with an associational director presiding over the day-to-day business.
Requirements of Membership: Online application and end-of-year report - no written applications or reports are accepted. Require a copy of the primary instructor's GED, high school diploma, or college degree, along with appropriate fees listed below.
Deadlines: Enrollment applications are accepted until mid-April. Renewals are due by July 31st each year, after which a late fee of $30.00 is added.
Services Offered:
- Bi-annual newsletter sent to members along with informational updates during the year
- Graduation service for seniors
- Stanford Testing for grades 3-10 provided each year by certified testers
- HSLDA discount group and SCHEA discount group
- Transcript services through online transcript partners Academic Records
Membership Cost: $45 per family, regardless of the number of children in the family. Late fee of $30 if renewing after July 31st. There is no extra charge for high school students.
Record-keeping Requirements: End-of-Year Report