A parent, guardian, or other custodian of a child, who is not younger than five or older than six by the first day of September, or any child who, by the first day of September, is at least six years old, shall cause the child to regularly attend a public or nonpublic school or receive alternative instruction, as set forth in § 13-27-3, until the child is eighteen years old, has graduated, or is excused or withdraws as provided in this chapter. Each child shall attend kindergarten prior to age seven. Any child who transfers from another state may proceed in a continuous educational program without interruption if the child has not previously attended kindergarten.

Source: SDC 1939, § 15.3201; SL 1941, ch 65 ; SL 1955, ch 41 , ch 15, § 1; SL 1975, ch 128 , § 169; SL 1978, ch 111 ; SL 1985, ch 129 , § 7; SL 1986, ch 122 , §§ 1, 9; SL 1990, ch 126 , § 1; SL 1991, ch 142 , § 2; SL 1996, ch 114 , §3; SL 2006, ch 80 , § 1; SL 2007, ch 98 , § 1; SL 2009, ch 83 , § 1; SL 2009, ch 83 , § 3, eff. July 1, 2010; SL 2017, ch 77 , § 1; SL 2021, ch 76 , § 1; SL 2025, ch 80 , § 1.