Homeschool Guide

How to Homeschool in Wisconsin

Here is exactly what Wisconsin requires to homeschool legally - how to notify (if needed), what records to keep, testing rules, and how to get started.

Last updated June 2026

Notice required
Required
Instructional days
875 hrs/year
Portfolio
Not required
Testing / evaluation
Not required

Wisconsin homeschool requirements

  • Notification: File an annual report with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction by October 15. Simple one-page form.
  • Required subjects: Cover Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health, PE, Art, Music.
  • Teacher requirement: No teacher certification is required to teach your own children.
  • Portfolio / records: No portfolio is required by the state, though keeping records is recommended.
  • Testing / evaluation: No standardized testing is required by the state.
  • Recordkeeping: No retention period is set by the state; keep records organized year to year.

Key dates & deadlines

At the start of the yearFile your required notification with the district or state.
AnnuallyRenew your notification.

Getting started in Wisconsin

  1. File your required notification with your district or the state (see requirements above).
  2. Set up simple records: a log of instruction and samples of your child’s work.
  3. Choose curriculum covering Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health, PE, Art, Music.
  4. Check your eligibility for Milwaukee Parental Choice Program or Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (Statewide), and start keeping receipts for anything you buy for school.
  5. Keep your records organized from year to year.

Scholarships & funding in Wisconsin

Wisconsin homeschool families may be eligible for Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (Statewide). Programs like this reimburse or directly fund approved purchases - curriculum, tutoring, testing, and often therapies - against categories the program sets, and every claim has to be documented with receipts. Application windows and award amounts change year to year, so check the official program page before you plan around them.

  • Milwaukee Parental Choice Program - Administered by Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Typically covers private school tuition & required fees. Every claim needs a receipt, and some categories need approval before you buy. Official information: https://dpi.wi.gov/sms/choice-programs/mpcp
  • Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (Statewide) - Administered by Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Typically covers private school tuition & required fees. Every claim needs a receipt, and some categories need approval before you buy. Official information: https://dpi.wi.gov/sms/choice-programs/wpcp

Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to notify the state to homeschool in Wisconsin?
File an annual report with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction by October 15. Simple one-page form.
Do I need to be a certified teacher?
No - there is no teacher-certification requirement.
Is standardized testing required?
No - Wisconsin does not mandate standardized testing.
How long should I keep records?
No retention period is mandated, but keeping thorough records is strongly recommended.
Is there scholarship or ESA funding for homeschoolers in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin runs Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (Statewide). Eligibility, award amounts, and application windows are set by the program and change year to year, so confirm the current rules on the official page before you rely on them.
What subjects must I teach in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin requires you to cover Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health, PE, Art, Music. Beyond that the choice of curriculum and approach is yours.
How many days or hours of instruction does Wisconsin require?
Wisconsin expects about 875 hours of instruction a year. Logging lessons as you go is far easier than reconstructing the total later.
Track all of this automatically

Beyond My Books logs your Wisconsin instructional days, required subjects, portfolio, and deadlines - and warns you before anything is due.

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This guide is general information, not legal advice. Homeschool laws change - verify current requirements with your Wisconsin department of education or county superintendent.