How to start homeschooling in Wisconsin
Everything Wisconsin asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the state’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.
Step by step
Know what Wisconsin requires
Parents provide at least 875 hours a year of sequentially progressive instruction in six subjects and file the online PI-1206 report with DPI each year by October 15.
Required school ages in Wisconsin: 6 to 18 ("between the ages of 6 and 18 years"). Teacher qualification for this option: DPI: no minimum educational requirements for parents; no teaching certificate or license required.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. Wisconsin also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
When: On or before October 15 each year.
What it includes: Online PI-1206 homeschool report filed with the Department of Public Instruction every school year, on or before October 15 (may be filed from July 1). If withdrawing from a public or private school after October 15, file or update on or before the date the child stops attending. A program serving more than one family unit is not a home-based private educational program.
Wisconsin names its own form, affidavit or filing for this. Use that where it’s required; our letter can go with it as a cover letter or a record.
Plan your school year: days and hours
Wisconsin sets a minimum.
No days requirement; requirement is in hours. "At least 875 hours of instruction each school year" (§ 118.165(1)(c)).
Cover the required subjects
Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health.
"A sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction" in these subjects (§ 118.165(1)(d)).
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
DPI: Wisconsin's homeschooling laws do not require any form of testing or assessment.
Keep records anyway
Wisconsin doesn’t require records under this option.
No statutory record-keeping requirement. DPI retains PI-1206 records for seven years and advises parents to keep copies and records of instruction provided.
Our suggestion: keep attendance, a reading log and a few work samples each year. A move to another state, a college, or a question from the district is much easier with them.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
DPI: a home-based program does not lead to a traditional Wisconsin high school diploma (diplomas are issued by public and private schools); parents may create a diploma upon completion of their program. GED/HSED is available.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Text of Wis. Stat. § 115.30(3) (PI-1206 report) could not be read from the legislature site; the October 15 deadline is from DPI's FAQ. Immunization requirements for home-based programs not verified. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Your Wisconsin checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in Wisconsin · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read Wisconsin’s rules for “Home-based private educational program”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice (On or before October 15 each year)
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start a simple attendance log and reading log
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions Wisconsin parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Wisconsin?
Yes. When: On or before October 15 each year. What to file: Online PI-1206 homeschool report filed with the Department of Public Instruction every school year, on or before October 15 (may be filed from July 1). If withdrawing from a public or private school after October 15, file or update on or before the date the child stops attending. A program serving more than one family unit is not a home-based private educational program.
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in Wisconsin?
No days requirement; requirement is in hours. "At least 875 hours of instruction each school year" (§ 118.165(1)(c)).
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in Wisconsin?
No. DPI: Wisconsin's homeschooling laws do not require any form of testing or assessment.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Wisconsin?
DPI: no minimum educational requirements for parents; no teaching certificate or license required.
What subjects are required in Wisconsin?
Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health.
What records do I need to keep in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin doesn’t require records. Keeping attendance, a reading log and work samples is still wise.
Keep going
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
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