State laws change from time to time and though we try to keep the laws up-to-date at all times please check with the department of education for any changes that may have occurred.
If you think homeschooling is the best educational option for you and your children – and it probably is – then you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to show you how to start homeschooling in WI. We’ve pooled together information related to the educational potential of The Badger State, looked over the Wisconsin homeschool requirements, and selected the best online resources that will keep you and your children happily and successfully learning at home.
Without further ado, let’s see what Wisconsin has to offer in terms of educational material. Plus you can use the infographic and video below to create a homeschool that thrives.
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The Badger State
The beautiful Badger State is a great place to start homeschooling your children.
There are plenty of beautiful state parks for outdoor enthusiasts to explore – and there’s something hiking, biking or boating fans alike. Walk through the scenic waterfalls of the Copper Falls State Park, hike through the beautiful High Cliff State Park, or simply enjoy a walk on the beach in the Point Beach State Forest. Wisconsin is extremely varied from a geographical point of view, so you’re bound to find a spot you love.
Art fans will enjoy the many museums and galleries available in Wisconsin. Places such as the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Overture Center for the Arts, or the Chazen Museum of Art showcase beautiful art collections – both traditional and modern, and children will love exploring the wonderful Madison Children's Museum.
Wisconsin has a few history museums for those interested in the past – from the thematic H.H. Bennett Studio, in Wisconsin Dells, to the more comprehensive Wisconsin Historical Museum, in Madison, your little history fans will definitely find something interesting that’ll stir their interest.
Wisconsin Homeschool Laws
Homeschooling laws in Wisconsin are pretty permissive and sensible, but there are a few things you need to bear in mind before homeschooling.
The first thing you need to do is to notify the Department of Public Instruction of how many children you’re going to homeschool. You’ll do this electronically by filing out the Wisconsin homeschool form on this site. This is an annual process, and you should do it by October 15 of each school year.
You don’t need any qualifications to homeschool in Wisconsin, but you will need to provide 875 hours of instruction in reading, science, mathematics, language arts, social studies, and health.
There are no other bookkeeping and assessment requirements, and the Department of Public Instruction or other educational bodies don’t have the authority to look into your homeschooling practice.
Homeschooled students may enroll part-time in the local public school, and, if the local district allows them to, they can also take part in public school extracurricular activities. However, public schools are not legally required to offer special needs services to homeschooled children.
Wisconsin Homeschool Friendliness Grade
We’re giving Wisconsin a well-deserved B in terms of homeschool friendliness: the legal requirements are easy to manage, allowing you a great degree of freedom in your day to day homeschooling practice, and the state itself is a priceless educational resource. The only thing that’s keeping us from giving it an A is the fact that the public special needs services aren’t available to homeschooled children – that’s something most states offer, and it’s only natural, since they’re tax-funded.
Conclusion
Homeschooling in Wisconsin shouldn’t be too difficult, if you’re determined to provide your children with the best education possible. The WI homeschool laws are pretty permissive, and the state itself offers lots of interesting educational opportunities.
For any questions on how to homeschool in Wisconsin, the vibrant homeschooling community is always available, regardless of your region, religion or homeschooling experience. Get in touch with fellow Wisconsin homeschoolers and take part in the many homeschooling events in your area – you and your children will love learning your own way!
Resources
Here’s a selection of websites related to homeschooling in Wisconsin:
http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/WI/ - the official HSLDA website is a great place to find legal information and news related to Wisconsin homeschooling laws
https://homeschooling-wpa.org/ - the official website of the Wisconsin Parents Association is a useful place when it comes to homeschooling resources, ideas, and opportunities to get in touch with fellow homeschoolers. They’re even giving you access to an excellence scholarship for homeschooled children – it’s definitely something you don’t want to miss
http://www.madisonheart.com/ - this Madison-area inclusive homeschool support group is a fun place to get in touch with fellow homeschoolers and find out more about how to start homeschooling in Wisconsin