Homeschooling in Wisconsin: How To Homeschool While Following State Laws

by Rita Onyx

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.

Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Just in the last years alone, homeschooling rose up by 700%. What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.

There are many benefits to homeschooling; it gives parents freedom in choosing the curriculums and subjects their children learn. Remote learning also ensures their children are kept safe, away from potential dangers like bullying or viruses in public schools. It’s a win-win situation.

Thinking of homeschooling your children too? Then follow this quick guide on how to homeschool your children if you live in Wisconsin. Know the Wisconsin homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.

There Is Only One Way to Homeschool:

1. Under the Homeschool Statute

Requirements:

• Children between 6-18 of age must be in school 
• You MUST notify your local school district of your intentions
• There are NO teacher qualifications
• There ARE state mandated subjects 
• There are NO required assessments or testing
• There are NO immunization requirements

How to Homeschool Under the Homeschool Statute

• Submit a statement of enrollment using form PI-1206 with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) by October 15^th every year

• Include in the enrollment form:

a) Number of students in the elementary and high school grades that were enrolled in your homeschool as of the third Friday in September.

b) Affirm that your homeschool’s purpose is to provide religious-based or private education and not to bypass the compulsory school attendance laws

c) Affirm that your homeschool is privately controlled

d) Confirm that instruction will be for at least 875 hours during the school year

• Affirm that you will provide sequentially progressive curriculum in the following subjects:

1. Math
2. Language
3. Reading
4. Social Studies
5. Science
6. Health
7. Arts

Helpful links:

https://dpi.wi.gov/sms/home-based

https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/wisconsin.html

Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education

• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
  125 South Webster Street
  P.O. Box 7841
  Madison, WI 53707-7841
  Phone: 608-266-3390
  Toll-Free: 800-441-4563
  Fax: 608-267-9207
  Home Schooling: 608-266-9248 or toll-free at 1-888-245-2732, ext. 1
  Website: http://dpi.wi.gov/

• U.S. Department of Education, Wisconsin

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.