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Compulsory Attendance

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Wisconsin also has a compulsory attendance law that says all children between the ages of 6 and 18 must attend school (Wis Stat 118.15). Subsection (4) states that attendance in a Home-Based Private Educational Program (homeschool) may be substituted for attendance at a public or private school.

“(1)(a) Except as provided under pars. (b) to (d) and (g) and sub. (4), unless the child is excused under sub. (3) or has graduated from high school, any person having under control a child who is between the ages of 6 and 18 years shall cause the child to attend school regularly during the full period and hours, religious holidays excepted, that the public, private, or tribal school in which the child should be enrolled is in session until the end of the school term, quarter, or semester of the school year in which the child becomes 18 years of age.” (WI stat 118.15(1)(a))

“(4) Instruction in a home-based private education program that meets all of the criteria under s.118.165 (1) may be substituted for attendance at a public or private school.” (WI stat 118.15(4))

  • Wis Stat 115.03(3) Required Forms and Reports

Wisconsin law requires all schools – public, private, tribal, and homeschools – to submit a form to the Department of Public Instruction by October 15th of each year. (WI Stat 115.30(3). This statute states:

“On or before each October 15, each administrator of a public or private school system or a home-based private educational program shall submit, on forms provided by the department, a statement of the enrollment on the 3rd Friday in September in the elementary and high school grades under his or her jurisdiction to the department which shall prepare such reports as will enable the public and private schools and home-based private educational programs to make projections regarding school buildings, teacher supply and funds required. The administrator of each private school system and home-based private educational program shall indicate in his or her report whether the system or program meets all of the criteria under s. 118.165 (1).” (WI stat 115.30(3))

The PI-1206 Homeschool Report has two parts: a statement of enrollment on the third Friday in September, and a legal affirmation that the parent or guardian is in compliance with Wisconsin Homeschooling law. The PI-1206 Homeschool Report must be submitted on or before October 15 or immediately if you begin homeschooling after October 15.

  • There is no requirement under the law for you to file before October 15.
  • Because the law requires the PI-1206 Homeschool Report to include a statement of enrollment on the third Friday in September, WHPA believes it is logical to file the PI-1206 Homeschool Report only in the window between the third Friday in September and October 15.
  • Filing earlier is not required by law, and school districts cannot compel you to file before October 15.
  • Filing early is unnecessarily doing more than the law requires, and may jeopardize our reasonable homeschooling law for you and for all homeschoolers in Wisconsin, now and in the future.
WHPA provides information about homeschooling in Wisconsin. WHPA does not provide specific legal advice to any specific individuals in the context of any specific matters. It is the responsibility of each homeschool administrator/parent or guardian to read original source material and make decisions on compliance for themselves. When you file the PI-1206 Homeschool Report with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, you take full responsibility for understanding and complying with the laws outlined on that form. WHPA does not endorse or provide curriculum suggestions or specific materials for any particular educational approach.