Are you considering homeschooling and looking for how it is done here in Spartanburg? Looking for the basic information, classes, activities or supplies for your homeschool in Spartanburg? Searching for a full day co-op community to call home? This Spartanburg area homeschool resource list should help you as you get started or help you elevate your homeschool experience! Know of something that should be included? Add it to the comment section below!
*You will find that we have included homeschool options in Greenville County as well as Spartanburg County. This is because many local homeschooling families take part in programs outside of their counties.
Disclaimer: This list is intended for informational purposes and none of the contents should be considered a specific recommendation or endorsement from Kidding Around or its staff. All advertisements are marked “sponsored.”
For each entry, click on the name to go to the group’s website. This post contains information about the many opportunities in Spartanburg including those of our sponsors.
Easily Navigate This Guide By Selecting the Topic of Interest Below
- Fun Activities for Homeschoolers
- Individual Homeschool Classes
- Homeschool Co-ops
- Field Trips for Homeschoolers
- Where to Purchase Homeschool Materials
- Option 3 Associations and Homeschool Resources
- Homeschool Support Groups
- Sports and PE
- Reading, Writing and Langauge
- Music, Art and Theater
- History
- Math and Science
Educational Things to Do Near Spartanburg
Learning can be more fun when you’re on the go, out and about checking out things in person. In the Spartanburg and Greenville areas there are so many fabulous educational venues and sites to explore. We have many local historical sites to examine, battlefields to walk, natural wonders to observe and lots of places to check out animals and science. Here’s our list of Educational Things to Do Near Upstate, SC! Many of these things to do are free or very low cost. You’ll find something to do even if you’re on a tight budget!
Educational Travel
Vacation means time to relax, but it can also mean time to learn something amazing! Check out this list of educational things to do at some of our favorite vacation destinations, plus fabulous day trips loaded with learning opportunities. Here’s our giant list of Educational Travel Adventures.
New to Homeschooling?
Use the categories buttons below for helpful resources and information useful when you’re getting started homeschooling.
You’ll find a complete list of option 3 home school accountability associations in South Carolina at the SC Department of Education’s site.
Also, check out Why I’m Preparing to Homeschool Next Fall.
A Facebook group which acts as a central location to find and ask homeschool-related questions.
Offers: A homeschool partnership program offering K-12th programs in the academics and the arts. They meet at Airport Baptist Church on Mondays and Wednesdays. High school students can enroll in college prep arts courses in Theater, Art, Music, Media Arts and Creative Writing.
Bob Jones Educators Marketplace
864.770.1368 1430 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Suite 212, Greenville, SC
A source for BJU Press materials and more.
Shop online or in the store for a large variety of homeschool teaching and learning tools.
Both the Willis Road and Middle Tyger YMCA campuses offer homeschool PE, which includes an hour of structured gym time and an hour of pool time.
Paris Mountain offers group hikes and educational programs about nature and the history of Paris Mountain State Park. Find our review of one guided hike here.
- Ages: School Age, plus family programming
- Subjects: Science, History
- Families can enjoy 4th Saturday educational programming
Originally based in South Carolina, this group offers fun adventures for homeschool families around the United States (a spin off of Carolina Homeschooler).
Homeschool laws straight from the source.
Hollowed Earth Pottery, located in Hampton Station, offers classes during the day for kids in hand building and in using the pottery wheel. Visit Hollowed Earth.
Offers homeschool PE classes for students 5 – 15 years old on Fridays.
An athletic organization for homeschool students, offering 9 different competitive sports including archery, baseball, cheerleading and volleyball. They meet at multiple locations throughout the upstate.
The Biltmore offers group tours for homeschool and school groups, as well as educational programming in their barn.
- Age: A wide variety of programming is available for different ages
- Subject: Program can include: Social Studies, Science, Math, English Language Arts, Information Skills, Healthy Living, Visual Arts
- Also offers a annual Homeschool Festival each September.
Learn about amazing raptors at the Carolina Raptor Center. They offer variety of field trip options with educational programming for groups, as well as homeschool days. See our review of one program here.
- Age: All grade levels, programs vary to suit each age group
- Subject: Science
- See these amazing birds up close!
2020 Homeschool Days are on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Pre-registration is required.
A Facebook group for homeschooling families in Spartanburg.
Offers homeschool theatre classes.
Additionally, homeschool students can attend school performance shows (which run during the school day).
The South Carolina State Museum offers a free day of lessons for SC homeschoolers on the third Thursday of each month. Registration prior to the event is required and the programs fill early.
The South Carolina State Museum offers free admission for homeschoolers to explore their 4 floors of Carolina history, art, natural history and science. Homeschoolers receive discounted admission for planetarium shows and 4D theater films
A Facebook community providing information about homeschooling resources, events, and more.
Tours are currently not being offered due to Covid-19. However, online virtual lessons are available. These are not live presentations, but rather virtual lesson plans. Students can learn about the Sandburg family and the significance of Carl Sandburg’s writing. Here are the virtual lesson plans.
This historic estate of poet Carl Sandburg in nearby Flat Rock, NC offers a 1-2 hour educational tour for groups that include writing activities, house tour and farm visits.
- Age: Kindergarten through high school
- Subject: Writing, poetry, language arts, history, social studies, science
- Homeschool trips are also available.
Due to Covid-19, field trips currently will not include a visit to the control tower.
Visit the Downtown Greenvile Airport and/or Runway Park! Learn about aviation, meet a pilot, see aircraft upclose, and more!
- Age: 6th grade and up can meet a pilot, visit the control tower, see an aircraft and more. All ages can participate in a field trip hosted by Runway Park which includes climbing inside a real plane.
- Subjects: social studies, science, careers
- Groups can add on lunch at Runway Cafe with special group pricing.
This resource for South Carolina homeschool families includes a directory of homeschool associations and co-ops.
Offers martial arts classes for homeschoolers 5 – 12 years old.
Ignite Learning Center offers unique hands-on activities and programs for students exploring STEAM. Programs include problem solving challenges, engineering, arts and more.
This group on Facebook is an information hub and facilitates the planning of homeschool field trips for families in the Upstate.
The Children's Museum of the Upstate
864.233.7755 300 College Street, Greenville, SC
The museum is not currently offering field trips due to Covid-19.
Homeschool classes are offered for students ages 4 -11. Students can choose from among three different series of courses.
Field trips include museum exploration and special programming.
A consignment store for homeschool curriculum for a variety of learning styles.
A 3rd Option homeschool accountability association that covers the entire state of SC. They offer in-person consultations and walk side-by-side with all families who are interested in homeschooling, even if they are not a member of the association.
A group that meets at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Greer and offers classes for homeschoolers in K4 – high school. Vanguard offers a variety of academic and enrichment classes to choose from. Students may enroll in just one or two classes, or can choose to enroll in a full day of classes. Parents are asked to volunteer where possible. No nursery is available. Email [email protected] for more information.
Offers a wide variety of art classes.
Creating Artists for Tomorrow
864.901.7465 or 864.561.7420 1711 Old Spartanburg Road, Greer, SC
Located in Greer, this popular art studio offers homeschool art classes for ages 5 and up. Classes include technique, as well as art history. All materials are provided. Call 864.901.7465 or 864.561.7420 or email [email protected] for more information.
A school supply store for classroom teachers, but homeschoolers will find some goodies here, as well.
The UCHU (United Community of Homeschoolers Unlimited) STEAM Academy meets in Landrum, South Carolina and offers classes on Thursdays for kindergarten through high school age students, along with support services for homeschool families.
Crestview Christian Homeschool Academy offers full day to à la carte academic & enrichment classes on Thursdays. Classes are for students in Kindergarten – High school. The group meets at Riverside Baptist. Parents may drop off children or stay and be apart of the community.
Offers monthly classes for homeschool students K5-8th grade. Topics covered in each class change monthly. Additionally, Homeschool Hikes is a hands on experience that is offered select Thursdays for homeschool families.
Located at Converse College in Spartanburg, this academy offers many music and dance opportunities, including group lessons, private lessons and full ensemble opportunities throughout the school year, as well as summer camp.
In addition to being an accountability group, Carolina Homeschooler offers field trips, online classes, book clubs, and online parent support forums. Their page about legally homeschooling in South Carolina is also quite helpful.
Offers Fall and Spring field trips at their farm.
This National Park offers field trip experiences. A range of curriculum materials are also available on the Cowpens National Battlefield web site, as part of the Parks as Classrooms initiative.
Families following the Classical Conversations curriculum have many options for weekly groups in Spartanburg and the Upstate. See the website for more information.
A Facebook group to help new homeschoolers make connections.
Lake Conestee Nature Preserve offers a wide variety of science and nature field trips and programs.
- Age: Preschool through high school
- Subject: Science and Nature
- Programs include a variety of topics depending on age. Topics include: plants, bees, ecology, water quality and more!
Offers various grade level field trip programs in all major fields of science.
With Lowes Foods’ From the Field Trips, learn about healthy food, local food, exercising and healthy living.
- Age: Programs available for Pre-K through 6th Grade
- Subject: Science, Health/PE
- These field trips are free!
Monthly homeschool classes for grades 1-5 and 6-12. Topics vary month to month. Registration is online only. Classes meet on Fridays.
Additionally, the Upcountry History Museum offers tours for school-age children that immerse the kids in a period of history through exhibits, discussion, and hands-on activities.
Call 864.467.3100 or email [email protected] for more information.
On a Positive Note Piano Studio
864.921.5879 11068 Asheville Highway, Inman, SC
This piano studio offers private and group music lessons in piano, guitar, bass guitar, and ukulele.
Take advantage of Homeschool Connect! These FREE, monthly events will help your child develop an appreciation of the arts, academic abilities and practical life skills, all while getting to know BJU faculty and students. These events are designed for students in 7th through 12th grades and will be offered virtually in 2020. Visit BJU!
The Kroc Center offers home school physical education, music, and art classes for ages 6-12.
Explore nature, hike, fish, and more.
On Fridays throughout the school year, homeschool students are welcome to explore their artistic sides between 11 am and 2 pm–and receive a 20% discount!
Monthly homeschool arts-integrated homeschool classes. Call 864.770.1331 or email [email protected] for more information.
Note: For the 2020-2021 academic year, homeschool days will be offered virtually.
S.T.A.R.S. stands for Scholastically Talented, Academically Responsible Students. It is a Christian-based academic co-op in Spartanburg.
A very popular co-op offering a full day of classes by paid teachers. This group meets at Grace Church’s Taylors campus. Classes are offered to K4-high school students. Parents may drop- off children, but there is a volunteer requirement. Nursery is available.
This Facebook community welcomes all homeschoolers regardless of religious affiliation and offers a place for homeschooling parents to ask and give advice as well as plan field trips and outings.
RMSC is currently closed for onsite field trips. Virtual field trips on a variety of topics are available.
Greenville’s 62-acre science center includes labs, a living history farm, a planetarium and more.
- Age: Programs available for a variety of ages
- Subject: Science
- Programs available for homeschoolers on scheduled monthly homeschool days.
Big Air Spartanburg’s Homeschool Jump is offered when local schools are in session. On Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-3 pm, you can jump for $10.
This gym in Greer offers gymnastics and tumbling classes for homeschool students age 3 to 16 years old in the early afternoon.
The Christian Home Educators of Laurens County is a homeschool group that offers co-op classes, field trips, and fun days.
A Facebook closed group marketplace.
Spartanburg County Historical Association offers tours and living history activities at several historic sites, including the popular Walnut Grove Plantation.
- Age: Programs are modified to serve the age group
- Subject: Social Studies/History and English Language Arts
- Sites include Walnut Grove Plantation, Regional History Museum and Seay House
A range of dance classes are offered throughout the year at Converse College Montgomery Building Dance Studios. Classes include ballet, musical theater, and a ballet/tap combo class.
Offers several programs just for homeschoolers. Check their website calendar and search for “homeschool” to see which locations are offering homeschool events you’d be interested in.
This website offers specifics for homeschooling in the state of South Carolina. There is a particularly nice list of accountability and support groups to search through.
Offers monthly homeschool skate events.
Offers hands-on educational programs for homeschoolers of all ages.
- September 16th is the fall Homeschool Day. Select activities from a variety of topics. Spring date is April 14th, 2021. Pre-registration is required.
- Event costs cover admission to park, supplies, and all programs and activities. Check the website for costs and registration info.
- Programs can also be arranged year-round. Contact them for more information.
Learn about agriculture at Stewart Farms. Enjoy the pumpkin patch and the corn maze. Offers field trips and an annual Home School Day.
Home School Days for 2020 are Wednesday, September 30th and Thursday, October 1st, 2020.
Do you have a resource to add to our list for homeschool families? Please let us know in the comments!
Mountains to Sea Homeschool Assoication. http://www.m2sha.com
We are a 3rd Option homeschool accountability association that covers the entire state of SC. We offer in person consultations and walk side by side with all families who are interested in homeschooling, even if they are not a member of our assoication.