Homeschooling in Wisconsin

The homeschool rules in Wisconsin, from official sources: your options, any notice, what to teach and record, testing, official forms, the law and who to contact.

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Last checked: October 25, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page: Wisconsin official page.

Broad level: Low regulation – our own rough summary, what the levels mean.

Your options

Home-based private educational program (Wis. Stat. 115.001(3g), 118.15(4), 118.165); instruction by parent/guardian/designee for one family unit only.

Notice or letter of intent

File the PI-1206 Homeschool Report online with DPI every school year (annual), by October 15; required once the child is 6 on or before September 1.

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects: Sequentially progressive curriculum in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and health.
Days or hours: At least 875 hours of instruction each school year.
Testing or assessment: None required.
Records: Keep your own copies of PI-1206 reports (DPI keeps online reports 7 years).

Parent qualifications

None.

Other rules

DPI gives no consultation on homeschooling, provides no curriculum/funds; no public diploma (parent may issue). program serving more than one family unit does not qualify.

Official forms

PI-1206 (HOMER): sms.dpi.wi.gov/… ; DPI page: dpi.wi.gov/…

The law

Wis. Stat. 115.001(3g); 118.15(4); 118.165; 115.30(3); 118.133 – read the law

Who to contact

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) – Home-Based Private Educational Program (HOMER system)Contact form · 608-267-1292 ext 1 · Official pageWho handles notices: State (annual PI-1206 report to DPI); district sees report

Special education and public school classes and sports

Districts must let resident homeschooled students take part in interscholastic athletics on the same basis as enrolled students (118.133(1)); WIAA rules. Child Find notices must reach all households, not just enrolled pupils (DPI Child Find procedures). Homeschool-specific special ed services and part-time course enrollment (118.145(4)) not confirmed on DPI pages. (Not confirmed – check the official page)

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in Wisconsin

To enroll your child in a public school in Wisconsin, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school. Ask how it decides grade placement and whether it accepts credits from homeschooling before your child starts, and bring the records you choose to share. We didn’t find a state rule on this for Wisconsin in the official sources we checked – see the Wisconsin official page and ask the district.

See going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.

Last checked: October 25, 2026. Report a change to this page

Official sources

Last checked against these sources: October 25, 2026.

This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page. This page sums up official sources in our own words. Homeschool laws differ from state to state and can change. Check your state’s official page and your local school district’s guidance, and get qualified advice for your situation. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, any state education agency, school district, College Board, ACT, the GED Testing Service, HiSET, CLT or the Common App.