How to Start Homeschooling in Wisconsin

Wisconsin may be famous for its dairy farms — but in the homeschooling world, the state is also known for its minimal home instruction laws! This makes it a “homeschool-friendly state,” which means that parents who are homeschooling in Wisconsin are granted authority and freedom over their children’s education. 

While these laws and regulations are minimal, there are a few requirements that you’ll need to become familiar with in order to start your journey. It’s important to do your research, as homeschool laws vary by state. Once you’ve taken care of the legal aspects, you’ll be set to start homeschooling in Wisconsin!

Homeschooling in Wisconsin at a Glance

Wisconsin- The Badger State

Required Age	6-18
Standardized Testing	Not required
Subjects	Reading, language arts, math, science, social studies, health
Time Requirements	875 hours per school year (July 1-June 30)
Graduation Requirements	Determined by parent
Special Requirements	None
Financial Resources Available	No

Parent Qualifications

There are no parental qualifications to homeschool in Wisconsin.

Notice of Intent

One of the first steps to get started with homeschooling in Wisconsin will be to file the Homeschool Enrollment Report PI-1206 (also referred to as HOMER) by October 15th each year. This form can be accessed online on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s (WDPI) website.

This form should include: 

• The number of students you will be instructing at home
• Confirmation that you are homeschooling to provide private or religious-based instruction
• Confirmation that you will have private control of your homeschool
• Confirmation that you intend to provide each child with at least 875 hours of instruction
• Confirmation that you will provide a “sequentially progressive” curriculum that covers reading, language arts, math, social studies, science, and health

If you begin homeschooling after October 15th, you will need to notify your child’s school in addition to submitting the HOMER.

Attendance

Homeschool parents in Wisconsin must instruct for at least 875 hours during the school year (July 1st–June 30th).

Homeschool Curriculum

The State of Wisconsin requires that homeschooled students study the following: 

1. Reading
2. Language arts
3. Mathematics
4. Science
5. Social studies
6. Health

When it comes to extracurriculars, the WDPI has you covered! Homeschoolers in Wisconsin are entitled to public school access and are welcome to play sports, join clubs, and participate in other extracurricular activities with their local school district. They can also supplement their homeschool curriculum with up to two classes per semester at any public school. 

Testing

Homeschooled students are exempt from standardized testing in Wisconsin. However, testing can provide a valuable measurement of your child’s progress. If you would like your child to participate in testing, you can purchase a nationally normed standardized test online. Common standardized tests for homeschooled students include: 

• Terranova
• IOWA
• Stanford 10

Record Keeping

As far as record keeping, the HOMER is the only form you are required to submit or hold on to.

However, keeping a few records on hand can be helpful for monitoring your child’s progress and helping them achieve their academic goals. Some additional records to consider keeping include: 

• Subjects studied
• Report cards or grades earned
• Standardized test scores
• List or documentation of extracurricular activities

If this sounds like a lot, don’t worry! Miacademy and MiaPrep make record keeping easy, tracking everything from report cards to attendance records and assessment scores, all automatically and in one place.

Graduation Requirements

The State of Wisconsin lets homeschool parents decide when their student has successfully completed high school.

While these indefinite requirements may take some of the pressure off, it can still be intimidating. How will you know when your student is ready to graduate? Some parents find it helpful to look to their state’s graduation requirements for public and private schools. You can find these by visiting the WDPI’s Graduation Requirements page.

MiaPrep’s comprehensive high school curriculum can prepare your student for graduation. We also offer an online high school that can further enrich your student’s home education!

Financial Resources

Unfortunately, there are no state-provided resources available for homeschoolers at this time. However, you may be able to find private scholarships or education grants in your area.

Other Tips & Resources

For more information about homeschooling in Wisconsin, check out: 

• Department of Public Instruction
• Wisconsin Homeschool Classifieds

If you have any questions about homeschooling or how Miacademy’s accredited online homeschool programs align with the laws in your state, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team!