Homeschooling in Wisconsin: the law and how to start

Yes. Wisconsin's compulsory attendance law, Wis. Stat. § 118.15, lets a parent choose a home-based private educational program instead of public or private school. Section 118.165 sets the criteria the program must meet.

A home-based program is instruction provided by a child's parent or guardian, or by a person the parent designates. A program that serves more than one family unit doesn't count as a home-based program, so co-ops are a supplement rather than a substitute for your own program. The law also says the program can't be set up just to get around compulsory attendance.

Filing the PI-1206 is a report of enrollment, not a request for permission. DPI does not approve or deny homeschool programs.

• Plan your program. Make sure you can provide at least 875 hours of instruction in the school year (July 1 to June 30) and a sequentially progressive curriculum in the required subjects.
• File the PI-1206 online. Complete the Home-Based Private Educational Program form on DPI's website. You file one each school year, and the deadline is October 15. Paper forms are no longer accepted.
• Keep your copy. You can log in to your DPI account to retrieve forms you've submitted; DPI keeps them for seven years.

If your child is enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are withdrawing your child to homeschool. DPI guidance says districts should treat a parent's notice of intent to homeschool as official notification for attendance purposes until the PI-1206 is filed, so file it promptly. A child may be enrolled in only one educational program at a time.

Section 118.165(1) requires a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and health. "Sequentially progressive" means lessons build on each other from year to year.

You must provide at least 875 hours of instruction each school year. The law doesn't require the curriculum to match the public schools' content or follow a set number of days, and you choose your own materials.

Wisconsin does not require standardized tests, portfolio reviews or evaluations for homeschooled children.

DPI says the statutes give no agency or school district express authority to monitor home-based programs or verify hours or curriculum. It still recommends that parents keep records of instruction, such as attendance or hour logs, the curriculum you used and samples of your child's work, in case you ever need to show you met the law.

As the administrator of your home-based program, you decide when your child has completed high school, and you can issue a diploma and keep a transcript of courses and grades. Colleges and employers will usually ask for these documents.

Homeschooled teens can take courses at their local public high school (see below), which can include advanced classes. Check with Wisconsin technical colleges and universities about their admission requirements and any early college options for homeschoolers.

Classes: Under Wis. Stat. § 118.53, a homeschooled student may take up to two courses a semester at public schools, subject to available space and the district's admission standards. A student may take one course in each of two school districts but no more than two in total.

Sports and activities: Under § 118.133, your resident school district must let homeschooled students take part in interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities on the same basis as enrolled students. If the district asks, your home program provides a written statement that your child meets the district's age, academic and conduct requirements.

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) has its own eligibility guidance for home-based students, so check with the school's athletic director about current rules before the season starts.

If your child may have a disability, contact your local school district; districts have duties under federal law to locate and evaluate children with disabilities, including those who are homeschooled.

Wisconsin's state funding programs for families, the Milwaukee, Racine and Wisconsin Parental Choice Programs and the Special Needs Scholarship Program, pay for tuition at participating private schools only. They do not fund home-based private educational programs.

As of the 2026–27 school year, Wisconsin has no education savings account for homeschoolers. Several 2025–2026 bills proposed changes to the choice programs, but none we found extend funding to homeschooling.

Wisconsin has statewide homeschool organizations and many local support groups and co-ops that offer classes, field trips and help getting started. Public libraries are also a useful resource. DPI's homeschooling page answers common questions, though it says it does not offer personal consultation on home-based programs.