Choice Homeschool
Menu

Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in Wisconsin

Wisconsin requires an annual PI-1206 report to DPI by October 15, 875 hours a year, and a sequentially progressive curriculum in six subjects; no testing.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

Wisconsin at a glanceLevel: Low

Notice to the state
Yes
File DPI's homeschool enrollment report (PI-1206) by October 15 each year, for children who turn 6 by September 1 (Wis. Stat. §115.30(3)).
Testing
No
None in statute.
Record-keeping
Not required
None required by the fetched statutes.
Immunization
Not required
Student immunization rules do not cover homeschoolers unless they enroll in a public or private school class or grade (Wisconsin DHS, Immunization Law Clarification, p. 3).
Required subjects
Yes, 6
Reading, Language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science, Health
Instruction time
At least 875 hours a year
Wis. Stat. §118.165(1)(c)
Parent qualifications
None stated; instruction by the parent or guardian or a person they designate, for one family unit only
Wis. Stat. §115.001(3g), per DPI
Compulsory school age
From 6 through the end of the school term, quarter, or semester in which the child turns 18, unless the child has graduated or is otherwise excused
Wis. Stat. §118.15(1)(a)

Ways to homeschool here: Home-based private educational program (Wis. Stat. §§115.001(3g), 118.165)

Choice Homeschool works hard to keep every state guide accurate and up to date, but laws change. If something here has changed or is missing, please let us know, ideally with a link to the official source, and we’ll recheck it.

Overview

Wisconsin calls homeschooling a ‘home-based private educational program’: instruction given by a parent or guardian, or a person they designate, to a single family unit (DPI). The program must provide a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in six subjects and must not be set up to avoid compulsory attendance (§118.165(1)). DPI does not provide curriculum or issue diplomas; parents may create a diploma.

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: File the Department of Public Instruction’s homeschool enrollment report (PI-1206) on or before October 15 each year, stating enrollment as of the third Friday of September and whether the program meets the criteria of Wis. Stat. §118.165(1). Needed for children who turn 6 by September 1. (Wis. Stat. §115.30(3); DPI)
  • Testing or assessment: None in statute.
  • Records: None required by the fetched statutes.
  • Subjects: Reading, Language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science, Health
  • Instruction time: At least 875 hours a year (Wis. Stat. §118.165(1)(c))
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: None stated; instruction by the parent or guardian or a person they designate, for one family unit only (Wis. Stat. §115.001(3g), per DPI)
  • Compulsory attendance ages: From 6 through the end of the school term, quarter, or semester in which the child turns 18, unless the child has graduated or is otherwise excused (Wis. Stat. §118.15(1)(a))

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.