Wisconsin homeschool requirements, in plain English.
Five things every Wisconsin homeschool family should know: whether you file a notice, which subjects to cover, how much instruction time is expected, what evaluations look like, and which records to keep.
Notice & registration
Yes — Wisconsin homeschool families file a short enrollment report with the state each school year.
File form PI-1206 (Homeschool Enrollment Report) online with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction via the HOMER portal every school year, on or before October 15 (Wis. Stat. 115.30(3)). It reports enrollment as of the third Friday of September and attests the program meets the criteria of Wis. Stat. 118.165(1). Filing for each school year opens July 1.
Required subjects
Wisconsin expects instruction in the subjects below.
- reading
- language arts
- mathematics
- social studies
- science
- health
Instruction time (hours or days)
Provide at least 875 hours of instruction each school year (Wis. Stat. 118.165(1)(c)); there is no minimum-days rule, and the curriculum must be sequentially progressive across the six required subjects.
The state's figure works out to about 875 hours per year. Sparcademy's activity log tracks time automatically as your child works.
Evaluations & assessments
No testing or evaluation is required — Wisconsin homeschoolers do not take state tests, submit portfolios, or report scores to anyone.
Record keeping
No records are required beyond filing the annual PI-1206 report; DPI keeps submitted forms for seven years and suggests parents keep their own copies, and many families voluntarily track hours and coursework.
Common questions
What do I have to file to homeschool legally in Wisconsin?
One short online form: the PI-1206 Homeschool Enrollment Report, filed with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction each school year by October 15. Filing opens July 1 for the coming school year, takes a few minutes, and involves no curriculum approval. Confirm current details on the DPI homeschool page.
How many hours of instruction does Wisconsin require?
At least 875 hours of instruction per school year. Wisconsin counts hours, not days, so you can schedule them however works for your family — that's roughly 4.8 hours a day across a traditional 180-day year.
Which subjects does Wisconsin require homeschoolers to teach?
State law calls for a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in six areas: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and health. How you teach them, and with what materials, is entirely up to you.
Does my child have to take state tests in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin does not require homeschooled students to take any tests, submit portfolios, or report grades or scores to the state or your school district.
What records does Wisconsin require homeschool parents to keep?
None beyond the annual PI-1206 filing itself. DPI keeps your submitted forms for seven years and recommends you keep your own copies too. Many families also voluntarily track hours and coursework, which can help later with things like college applications.
Does Wisconsin have ESA money for homeschoolers?
No. As of July 2026, Wisconsin has no education savings account program. The state's parental choice (voucher) programs pay tuition at participating private schools only and cannot be used for homeschooling, and DPI provides no curriculum funds to homeschool families.
Homeschooling in Wisconsin? We’ll handle the paperwork side.
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Sources
- Wis. Stat. 118.165 — Private schools (875 hours; six required subjects) (accessed 2026-07-03)
- Wis. Stat. 115.30(3) — PI-1206 enrollment statement due October 15 (accessed 2026-07-03)
- Wisconsin DPI — Home-Based Private Education Program (Homeschooling) (accessed 2026-07-03)
- Wisconsin DPI — Private School Choice Programs (vouchers, private schools only) (accessed 2026-07-03)
- HSLDA — Wisconsin homeschool laws (cross-check) (accessed 2026-07-03)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements with your state before acting on them.