The Ultimate Homeschool Guide to Columbia, SC

A history museum in a former Winter Colony mansion in Aiken, tracing county history from Native Americans to today, with free field trips for all students.

Field trip details: Free admission; offers free field trips and tours for all Aiken County students, including homeschoolers; traveling trunk program available.

A podcast exploring the stories of homeschool alumni, covering the good, bad, and complicated sides of growing up homeschooled.

A national awareness campaign informing parents about the full range of K-12 education options, including homeschooling.

An apparel and resource brand founded by an autism parent, dedicated to education, awareness, and acceptance for the autism community.

Offers scholastic chess classes for grades K-12, teaching basic to intermediate strategy and tournament preparation.

Offers personalized tutoring in Columbia using the Sylvan Method, tailored to each child’s learning style.

Provides educational therapy, tutoring, and cognitive training across the Midlands, from 2nd grade through career professionals.

A 100% online hybrid homeschool program for grades 6-8 combining live teacher-led classes with self-paced learning.

Hands-on career exploration and safety education programs connecting classroom learning to real-world careers for elementary and middle schoolers.

A pediatric wellness platform created by a pediatric physical therapist to support families navigating bladder health challenges.

A Columbia learning center providing educational therapy that addresses underlying causes of academic struggle.

An online private school partnering with homeschool families through live teacher-led classes and academic support.

Offers a non-medical approach to ADHD and Autism support using sensory-motor, cognitive, and nutrition strategies.

An online Christian high school offering full-time or supplemental courses for grades 9-12.

Provides wraparound support for families with needs outside the norm, from a neurodivergent-affirming lens.

A monthly printed science magazine for young people designed to spark curiosity away from screens.

A multisensory reading and spelling curriculum designed to be easy to teach in about 20 minutes a day.

An award-winning Charlotte Mason curriculum for homeschool families, co-ops, and schools covering grades 1-12.

Sells homeschool planners, student journals, and self-sufficiency-focused workshops and classes, plus a cottage bakery.

A comprehensive homeschool curriculum for PreK through high school emphasizing creativity, independent learning, and environmental awareness.

Offers hands-on, award-winning STEM programs developed by an engineer for students ages 6-16.

A locally owned Columbia-area shop selling educational supplies, workbooks, flash cards, games, and hands-on learning materials.

A hands-on, cross-curricular STEM program for middle schoolers who design and build their own future city.

Brings science and story to life through immersive, hands-on STEAM programs, pop-ups, and kits for kids.

A faith-based youth sports league in Columbia where coaches invest in players and families through sports and life lessons.

A monthly bug-hunting subscription kit for kids ages 4-13 to explore outside and learn about real insects.

A video-based teaching tool that helps kids get active and learn lifetime sports.

An award-winning martial arts program helping kids build focus, confidence, and discipline through self-defense training.

Boy Scouts of America council serving the Midlands and Pee Dee regions of South Carolina.

Children’s books that double as speech therapy tools, delivering Christ-centered speech and communication support through storytime.

A letter subscription for kids ages 6-14, written in first person as if from historical figures, teaching American history.

Children’s author Lisa Corduan partners with homeschool families through playful, meaningful books and interactive programs.

A standards-based language arts curriculum and supplemental materials to build students’ literacy mastery.

Offers homeschool classes and field trips year-round, fully immersed in nature, taught by experienced homeschool moms.

A working livestock farm in Pomaria offering hands-on agriculture and outdoor learning experiences for homeschool co-ops.

A secular, inclusive homeschool hybrid microschool in Newberry serving middle and high school students.

A national nonprofit founded by former homeschoolers offering evidence-based resources centered on children’s needs and rights.

An outdoor environmental competition for high school students to learn about the natural environment through teamwork.

The state’s principal energy planning entity, offering education, outreach, and free lesson plans for families.

Promotes learning through coin and currency collecting, connecting history, economics, and geography for kids.

Teaches children entrepreneurial skills by guiding them to start, own, and operate their own lemonade stands.

Provides optometric vision therapy services and exercises to help children and adults improve visual performance.

A virtual speech therapy company serving homeschool families with flexible-scheduling sessions from home.

Helps kids ages 6-21 improve communication and literacy skills through virtual speech therapy sessions.

Provides guidance for college-bound students, including expert SAT and ACT prep courses.

Uses certified teachers to provide 1:1 or small-group virtual tutoring across grade levels and subjects.

Advances evidence-aligned reading instruction across South Carolina, connecting families and educators with literacy resources.

Sells pre-planned science lab kits with supplies and instructions to simplify hands-on homeschool science lessons.

Provides a complete preschool-12th grade curriculum with a biblical worldview, available in textbook or video course formats.

A family-owned, homeschool-friendly used bookstore near downtown Columbia, selling online and in-store.

Gives students across Richland County and the Midlands access to resources and programs to support academic success.

The state’s second-oldest museum, covering South Carolina’s military history from the Revolution to today, in Columbia.

Supports children through personalized and group tutoring plus hands-on STEAM enrichment activities.

Provides an inclusive unmanned drone pilot training program for homeschoolers exploring commercial drone careers.

The Navy’s youth development program for kids ages 10-18, building character through hands-on training and activities.

Provides competitive middle and high school sports for homeschooled, charter, virtual, and private school athletes in the Columbia region.

Blends equestrian training and equine science with a Christ-centered foundation in the Columbia area.

An online music curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students using storytelling, games, and puzzles.

A hands-on film and television training program equipping girls with skills in directing, producing, and screenwriting.

Offers lessons in Great Highland Bagpipes and Scottish drumming (snare, tenor, bass) in the Columbia area.

The statewide Option 2 homeschool association, providing educational counseling and encouragement to South Carolina parents.

A Christian hybrid homeschool academy in NE Columbia offering hybrid elementary classes and a la carte middle/high school classes.

A nature-based, secular educational cooperative near Columbia blending emergent and directed learning with social-emotional development.

An Irmo-area homeschool co-op emphasizing STEAM education, green education, sustainability, and community service.

A drop-off K-12 hybrid homeschool academy in Irmo offering a la carte in-person classes each semester.

A free statewide resource hub for South Carolina homeschoolers, open to families in any Option 1, 2, or 3 association.

An academic, outdoor, secular homeschool co-op with a Lexington location offering diverse learning opportunities for kids.

An inclusive homeschool network in the Columbia area offering social and educational events, activities, and an annual homeschool expo.

SC Department of Education-approved Option 3 home school accountability association based in Blythewood.

SC Department of Education-approved Option 3 home school accountability association based in Irmo.

SC Department of Education-approved Option 3 home school accountability association based in Eastover.

SC Department of Education-approved Option 3 home school accountability association based in Irmo.

SC Department of Education-approved Option 3 home school accountability association based in Aiken.

SC Department of Education-approved Option 3 home school accountability association based in Columbia.

SC Department of Education-approved Option 3 home school accountability association based in Augusta.

Internet-based SC Option 3 home school accountability association serving South Carolina families statewide.

SC Department of Education-approved Option 3 home school accountability association based in Sumter.

SC Department of Education-approved Option 3 home school accountability association based in Lexington.

SC Department of Education-approved Option 3 home school accountability association based in Columbia.

Internet-based SC Option 3 home school accountability association serving South Carolina families statewide.

SC Department of Education-approved Option 3 home school accountability association based in Lexington.

Internet-based SC Option 3 home school accountability association serving South Carolina families statewide.

Enriched With Wonder hosts Tinkergarten classes, which help young children and caregivers connect to one another and nature. This summer’s focus is on our senses!

Spend your summer building new skills, sharpening your technique, or discovering your passion!
Academy of Dance Arts is proud to offer dance classes to provide both exposure and strong technical training across multiple genres

• Weekly evening class series all summer for ages 2-18
• Two-day camp series for ages 3-10
  June 15-18 & July 13-16. 

REGISTRATION for FARM CAMP 2026 at Horse Crossing Farm is now OPEN!

Session 1: June 1-4
Session 2: June 8-11
Session 3: June 15-18
Session 4:  June 22-26

Each camp session is 4 days long from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM. The Friday of each week is reserved as a make-up day in case one of the 4 scheduled days gets rained out. Each session includes instruction on complete horse care, horse riding and farm animal care. Animals included are horses, mini horse, mini mule, pony, mini cow, goats, sheep, pig, chickens, ducks, peacocks, turkeys, guinea fowl, emu, rhea, rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, alpaca, llama, cats and a dog. Water games, yard games, crafts, and photography with animals included each day. (Children ages 6-12, select 5 year olds accepted).

$275 per child per session – Click Here to Register
It’s going to be our best camp year yet!

One and only hands on interactive and mobile gem mining experience in SC! Pan for gems, stones and fossils. We come to you!

We teach young people about the power of entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership through experiential learning. Children rise to the challenge of deciding what to sell, creating a booth, talking to customers, and handling money.

Discover a fun, safe, and nurturing horseback riding school offering English and Western lessons, homeschool classes, and Tiny Tot programs in a family-friendly, nature-based setting.

We are an outdoor, academic, secular co-op looking to revolutionize the way our children are educated.

Offering kids Paint parties, tea parties, Lego parties, and science lab parties

Party packages start around $280 for 1.5-hour sessions
One Upon a Princess add-ons available (additional $135)

Summer Camp: Classy Canvas is  offering 2 art camps for ages 8-12, Summer 2026:

• June 29th-July 3rd from 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
• July 20th-July 21st from 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
• Summer camp registration

Harbison State Forest in Columbia is one of the largest greenspaces within city limits east of the Mississippi River. The forest’s 18 miles of trails offer bikers, hikers, and joggers an up-close view of the wilderness without ever leaving town. For kids, find geocaches hidden along the Learning & Discovery Trails, check out the Unbeleafable self-led tree ID guide, or participate in SC Forestry Commission’s Junior Forester program.

A national co-ed football league for ages preK-8th grade aimed to empower youth, while creating an environment where they can thrive, compete, and have fun!

We offer mommy-and-me music classes, group piano, voice, and ukulele lessons, and private instruction—creating fun, enriching musical experiences for children and families.

Details:
Offers: Ages 0–8; Music Together mixed-age classes, Rhythm & Roots Baby classes, preschool music and movement classes, and early childhood rhythm and song classes

Months: Classes are offered year-round, with ongoing sessions held throughout the year

Pricing: Pricing varies by class type and session length; tuition is charged per session

We are a mobile sports business that brings qualified coaching and the required equipment to you! Want to add a gymnastics class to your daycare or church? Give us a call!

New gymnastic and ninja classes coming to Crooked Creek Park!

The YMCA of Columbia is a charitable organization working toward a better community for all. We strengthen the foundation of community through: Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.

We are a campground & farm with RV camping and farm experiences.

We offer Music Together, a music and movement class for children ages 0-5 and the grownups who love them.

Chess tournaments, casual play, and chess coaching.

An archaeological park in Cayce documenting 12,000 years of continuous habitation, including Revolutionary and Civil War history, with free guided walking tours most Saturdays.

Field trip details: Free guided walking tours, mostly on Saturdays, led by NPS-trained volunteers; part of the Three Rivers Greenway trail system.