According to Wisconsin statute 118.53  school boards “shall allow” homeschoolers to take up to two courses each semester provided they meet the general standards for admission and there is sufficient space in the classroom.

School classes do not fall under the criteria of a home-based, private, educational program (the classes are provided to more than one family unit) and therefore should not be considered as a part of the 875 hours per year homeschoolers are required to provide.

WHPA maintains that classes offered by an instructor to multiple family units may not hold up as instructional hours in a home-based private educational program, if these hours were challenged in court or through the legal system. Homeschool administrators must be able to provide evidence of compliance with the law.

WHPA will not dictate to homeschool administrators what they can or cannot put on their transcripts or how they document 875 hours. The administrator should carefully consider what is included and that it is an accurate reflection of the home-based private educational program.

Be aware that when you participate in an educational program that is designed and administered by someone outside your family unit you lose the ability to dictate the direction of your educational program.  You may also set a precedent against which other homeschoolers will be judged.

WHPA recommends full compliance with the minimum standards set by law because such actions offer the greatest latitude to Wisconsin homeschooling families to create an educational program for their families that is consistent with their own principles and beliefs.

Because these activities fall outside the definition of homeschooling, WHPA will not provide informational or other support to families.

WHPA will not assist homeschoolers in complying with regulations demanded by public school districts when a homeschool student wishes to participate in a public school program.

View all Wisconsin statutes pertaining to home-based private educational programs.