Homeschooling in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's homeschool law, codified in Wis. Stat. §118.15(4) and §118.165(1), is the result of the 1983 Wisconsin Supreme Court decision in State v. Popanz, which struck down the previous compulsory attendance law as 'void for vagueness.' The current law has minimal requirements: file the online PI-1206 form annually, provide 875 hours of instruction per year, and cover six basic subjects. There is no testing, no parental qualification, no curriculum approval, and no recordkeeping mandate.

Legal framework at a glance

Legal options: One pathway — Home-Based Private Educational Program under Wis. Stat. §118.15(4) and §118.165(1).

Notification: File the PI-1206 Homeschool Enrollment Report online with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) annually. Filing window: between the third Friday in September and October 15..

Instructional time: 875 hours of instruction per school year (no specific daily hours required).

Required subjects: Six required subjects: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and health. The program must provide a 'sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction.'.

Testing and evaluation: No state-mandated testing for homeschoolers.

What Wisconsin families need to know

PI-1206 Homeschool Enrollment Report: Wisconsin's only required filing. Submit online through the DPI website (HOMER system) annually. By statute (Wis. Stat. §115.30(3)), the form must be submitted on or before October 15, with enrollment counted on the third Friday of September. The Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association (WHPA) recommends filing ONLY in the window between the third Friday in September and October 15 — filing earlier is not required and may inadvertently weaken Wisconsin's homeschool law over time.

Mid-year withdrawal exception: if you are withdrawing your child from a public or private school mid-year to begin homeschooling, file the PI-1206 BEFORE formally withdrawing the child to avoid truancy accusations. The 'October 15 deadline' applies to the annual headcount — not to families starting mid-year.

875 hours of instruction (Wis. Stat. §118.165(1c)): required annually. No specific daily schedule mandated. Field trips, workshops, and enrichment activities involving more than one family unit do NOT count toward the 875 hours (per the statute's definition that home-based private education is provided to 'one family unit').

Six required subjects: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and health. Must be taught as a 'sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction.' No specific curriculum, methods, or materials are mandated.

State v. Popanz (1983): the foundational Wisconsin Supreme Court case. The court declared the state's previous compulsory education law void for vagueness because it failed to define 'private school.' In response, the Wisconsin legislature passed the current homeschool law in 1984 with minimal requirements. This law remains in force today.

ONE FAMILY UNIT RESTRICTION (Wis. Stat. §115.001(3g)): a 'home-based private educational program' is limited to one family unit. An instructional program provided to more than one family unit does NOT constitute homeschooling under Wisconsin law — it would be classified as a private school subject to different regulations. This impacts how co-ops and learning pods can operate in Wisconsin.

Sports access (Wis. Stat. §118.133(1)): Wisconsin law REQUIRES public school districts to permit resident homeschool students to participate in interscholastic athletics 'on the same basis and to the same extent' as enrolled students. School boards may require a written statement that the student meets academic and conduct requirements but cannot question the accuracy of the statement. NOTE: in 2015, then-Governor Walker vetoed a portion of the bill that would have required the WIAA to allow homeschool participation on multi-school teams — creating a gray zone where individual schools must allow participation but the WIAA can prohibit teams that include homeschoolers. Practical access varies by district.

Part-time public school enrollment: homeschool students may take up to 2 courses per semester at any public school, including summer school classes (subject to space availability and meeting course prerequisites).

Kindergarten quirk: Wisconsin requires children entering public school for first grade to have completed a kindergarten program. Since you cannot file a PI-1206 for a child under age 6, families who homeschool for kindergarten and then enroll in public school for first grade must contact their local district about the district's written exemption policy.

Special education: public schools have NO obligation to provide special education services to Wisconsin homeschool students. Schools must offer evaluations, but ongoing services are not provided to non-enrolled students.

Compulsory attendance: ages 6 through 18 (compulsory age starts the year the child turns 6 by September 1).

Always verify current requirements with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) before filing any official paperwork. State rules can change.

Diploma recognition

Wisconsin homeschool parents issue their own diplomas and transcripts. Homeschool students do NOT receive a traditional Wisconsin high school diploma from the state or a public school. Students who specifically need a state-recognized credential may pursue the GED. Wisconsin public colleges (UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, Marquette) accept homeschool transcripts. ACT or SAT scores are typically required for admission to UW System schools. Document courses, credit hours, grades, and detailed course descriptions.

Getting started in Wisconsin

If you are new to homeschooling in Wisconsin, here is the practical sequence to follow:

1. Read the statute. Visit the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) website and read the current homeschool regulations in full. The summary on this page is a starting point, but the official statute is the final authority.
2. Choose your legal pathway. Wisconsin offers specific options described above. Choose the one that fits your family before you file anything.
3. Prepare your notification. Gather the information required for your notice or registration — child's name, date of birth, address, subjects, curriculum plans, and anything else your chosen pathway requires.
4. File before withdrawing. If your child is currently in public school, file your homeschool notification before you send the withdrawal letter to the school. See our withdrawal guide for the full process.
5. Set up your record-keeping system. Even in low-regulation states, keep attendance records, a list of curriculum used, and samples of your child's work. See our record-keeping guide for what to save and how.
6. Connect with a local homeschool organization. Wisconsin has active statewide homeschool organizations (listed below) and usually several local co-ops in each region. These are your best source of current, practical information.

Wisconsin homeschool organizations

The following organizations provide advocacy, support, and current information for Wisconsin homeschool families:

• Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association (WHPA) — Inclusive statewide organization with detailed legal information and the most thorough PI-1206 filing guidance — homeschooling-wpa.org
• Wisconsin Christian Home Educators Association (WCHEA) — Statewide Christian organization with annual convention — wcheahomeschool.com
• HSLDA Wisconsin — Legal defense and member support

Local homeschool co-ops often meet in libraries, churches, and community centers throughout the state. A search for "Wisconsin homeschool co-op [your city]" typically surfaces groups meeting near you. The statewide organizations listed above maintain co-op directories.

Beyond the legal requirements

Meeting Wisconsin's legal requirements is only the foundation. The day-to-day work of homeschooling — choosing a curriculum, teaching multiple children at different levels, building a transcript — is the larger task. Once your legal compliance is in order, explore the rest of this site:

Homeschool360 • Wisconsin State Guide