Homeschool Laws in Wisconsin
Wisconsin parents who operate a home-based private educational program must file an annual notice of intent with the state Department of Public Instruction. Under Wis. Stat. Ann. § 118.165, this notice is submitted each year the family intends to homeschool, and it establishes the program's status as a home-based private educational program under state law. The requirement applies to the parents or guardians responsible for the child's instruction, and the notice is directed to the state rather than to a local school district.
Wisconsin imposes no standardized testing or assessment requirement on home-based private educational programs. However, under Wis. Stat. Ann. § 118.165 and the broader framework of Wis. Stat. Ann. § 115.30, families are required to provide a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, language arts, math, social studies, science, and health. The state sets no formal credential or qualification requirement for the parent or guardian who delivers that instruction, meaning no teaching license or minimum educational attainment is mandated by law.
Homeschool statutes are subject to amendment by state legislatures, with most changes taking effect on July 1 of a given year. Because the legal landscape can shift, parents are encouraged to confirm current requirements directly with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction rather than relying solely on any secondary summary. This overview is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Requirement details
| Required subjects | Homeschools are required to provide “a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, language arts, math, social studies, science and health.” |
|---|---|
| Parent qualifications | none |
Statutory source
Wis. Stat. Ann. § 115.30 · Wis. Stat. Ann. § 118.165
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Not legal advice. This page summarizes Wisconsin law in plain English, verified as of June 2026 against the cited statutes. Legislatures amend homeschool law (most changes take effect July 1) — confirm current requirements with the state department of education or a licensed attorney before acting. How we verify this.