Homeschool States

Your state guide · 2026

Wisconsin homeschool laws

Last verified · View official sources

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The short answer

Wisconsin treats homeschooling as a home-based private educational program, taught by a parent or someone the parent picks, for one family only.

Regulation levelLow

Editorial category; see the guide.

Notice requiredYes

Every school year, on or before October 15.

Testing / evaluationNot specified

See requirements for options and exceptions.

Compulsory ages6–18

See the full guide for age exceptions.

Regulation level

L · Low
None—
Low▲ This state
Moderate—
High—
The category supplied with this guide, not a score or a legal classification. Requirements depend on your homeschooling option.
View regulation data
Wisconsin regulation category
StateCategory
WisconsinLow

Your requirements

A practical checklist

“Not specified” means a single yes/no requirement is not explicit in the supplied information. Read each detail for options and exceptions.

  • Notice

    Required

    Online enrollment report (PI-1206) giving the program's enrollment as of the third Friday of September and stating whether the program meets the criteria in Wis. Stat. 118.165(1). It is a report, not a request for approval.

  • Subjects

    Required

    Reading; Language arts; Mathematics; Social studies; Science; Health

  • Hours / days

    Not specified

    At least 875 hours of instruction each school year.

  • Testing / evaluation

    Not specified

    Not specified in state law

  • Teacher qualifications

    Not specified

    Not specified in state law

  • Records / portfolio

    Not specified

    Not specified in state law. The Department of Public Instruction advises parents to keep copies of their PI-1206 filings, which they can retrieve from their online account.

  • Immunizations

    Not specified

    Not specified in state law

At a glance

  • File the PI-1206 online every year by October 15.
  • At least 875 hours of instruction a year.
  • Six subjects, including health.
  • No testing or teacher credentials required.
  • Homeschoolers can play interscholastic sports in their district.

Requirements at a glance

Read the details for your chosen homeschooling option below.

Open the full requirements table
Wisconsin homeschool requirements
RequirementWhat to know
Compulsory school ages6–18
Notice requiredYes
Filing deadlineEvery school year, on or before October 15.
Required subjectsReading; Language arts; Mathematics; Social studies; Science; Health
Instruction timeAt least 875 hours of instruction each school year.
Parent qualificationsNot specified in state law
Tests & assessmentsNot specified in state law
Records to keepNot specified in state law. The Department of Public Instruction advises parents to keep copies of their PI-1206 filings, which they can retrieve from their online account.
ImmunizationsNot specified in state law

How to start homeschooling in Wisconsin

Each year parents file an enrollment report (form PI-1206) with the Department of Public Instruction by October 15, saying the program meets the state's criteria. The program must give at least 875 hours of instruction a year in a sequential curriculum covering six subjects, with no testing or teacher qualifications required.

  1. Choose your homeschooling option

    Home-based private educational program. Instruction given by the child's parent or guardian, or someone they designate, to a single family. A program serving more than one family does not qualify.

  2. Prepare your notice

    Online enrollment report (PI-1206) giving the program's enrollment as of the third Friday of September and stating whether the program meets the criteria in Wis. Stat. 118.165(1). It is a report, not a request for approval.

    Open the official notice resource ↗

  3. Check when and where to file

    When: Every school year, on or before October 15.

    Where: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Getting-started steps from the published Wisconsin guide. Follow the official links for your chosen option.
View steps as a table
How to start homeschooling in Wisconsin
StepDetails
1. Choose your homeschooling optionHome-based private educational program. Instruction given by the child's parent or guardian, or someone they designate, to a single family. A program serving more than one family does not qualify.
2. Prepare your noticeOnline enrollment report (PI-1206) giving the program's enrollment as of the third Friday of September and stating whether the program meets the criteria in Wis. Stat. 118.165(1). It is a report, not a request for approval.
3. Check when and where to fileEvery school year, on or before October 15. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Subjects to teach

  • Reading
  • Language arts
  • Mathematics
  • Social studies
  • Science
  • Health

Sports & extracurricular activities

Allowed. School boards must let resident homeschooled students take part in interscholastic athletics on the same basis as district students (Wis. Stat. 118.133).

Official forms & law

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction ↗

Forms & guidance

Statutes

Questions, answered.

What do I file to homeschool in Wisconsin?

Online enrollment report (PI-1206) giving the program's enrollment as of the third Friday of September and stating whether the program meets the criteria in Wis. Stat. 118.165(1). It is a report, not a request for approval.

When do I file in Wisconsin?

Every school year, on or before October 15.

What assessments are required in Wisconsin?

Not specified in state law

Check the original

Sources and last checked

  1. Wis. Stat. 118.165, Private schools ↗Wisconsin State Legislature
  2. Wis. Stat. 118.15, Compulsory school attendance ↗Wisconsin State Legislature
  3. Wis. Stat. 115.30, School reports ↗Wisconsin State Legislature
  4. Home-Based Private Educational Program ↗Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Last verified .