Parents must complete the PI-1206 form every school year.
Home-Based Private Education (Homeschooling) Frequently Asked Questions
What is homeschooling?
Under Wis. Stat. § 118.15(4), a parent or guardian has the right to select a home-based private educational program, commonly referred to as homeschooling, for their child(ren), in order to comply with compulsory school attendance law.
Wis. Stat. § 115.001(3g) states, “Home-based private educational program means a program of educational instruction provided to a child by the child’s parent or guardian or by a person designated by the parent or guardian. An instructional program provided to more than one family unit does not constitute a home-based private educational program.”
What is the difference between homeschooling and virtual charter school?
Parents choosing to homeschool must provide at least 875 hours of instruction each school year and include a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in six subject areas - reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and health. The Department does not provide curriculum, materials, or funds to purchase curriculum for homeschooling. Upon completion of homeschool, students do not receive a diploma issued by a public or private high school. Parents administering a homeschool program may create a diploma upon completion of their program.
Students attending virtual charter schools are public school students attending a Wisconsin public school online from home. A virtual charter school is a public school authorized by a locally-elected school board, with a public school curriculum and certified teachers. Students attending virtual charter schools receive a public school diploma upon graduation. Additional information regarding virtual charter schools is available on the Department’s virtual charter school webpage.
How do I enroll my child in homeschooling for kindergarten?
Under Wisconsin law, enrollment in a home-based private educational program is a substitute for attendance at a public or private school under the compulsory school attendance law, which begins at age six. Since children under age six are not subject to the compulsory school attendance law, it is not possible to enroll a child in a homeschool program for four- or five-year-old kindergarten. If your child will not reach age six on or before September 1, it is not necessary for you to submit report PI-1206 to enroll him/her in a homeschool program for that school year. If your child will reach age six on or before September 1, you will need to submit a PI-1206 Homeschool Enrollment Report.
Can my child participate in sports in our local school district?
Wis. Stat 118.133(1) requires a school board to permit resident pupils enrolled in a home-based private education program to participate in interscholastic athletics on the same basis and to the same extent as pupils enrolled in the district.
Questions regarding sports participation in your resident school district should be directed to the district’s athletic director or the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (www.wiaawi.org).
How can I obtain copies of my previously submitted PI-1206?
Parents may obtain a copy of their previously submitted PI-1206 by logging into their account at https://sms.dpi.wi.gov/HomeSchoolParent/Login/Login.aspx. Submitted PI-1206 online forms are retained by the Department for seven years. It is the responsibility of the parent to maintain copies of their submitted PI-1206 forms.
Additional information can be found in the Homeschool FAQ.
The Department of Public Instruction does not provide personal consultation and technical assistance regarding home-based private educational programs. Please review our Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.
There are many home-based parent associations you may wish to contact for further information about home-schooling. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for contact information.
Additional information
- Click here for a Sample Only copy of a completed PI-1206. The Sample Only copy is for your reference only. The PI-1206 must be submitted online. Paper copies are no longer accepted.
- Wisconsin Statutes relating to Homeschooling
- Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Homeschooling
- Home-Based Private Educational Program Enrollment Statistics
- Five-year-old Kindergarten Attendance and First Grade Admission
- Need to change your information?