A Wisconsin law passed in 2009 states that public school districts may not enroll a child in first grade if they have not completed kindergarten and that each school board “shall establish procedures, conditions, and standards for exempting a child from the requirement that the child complete kindergarten as a prerequisite to enrollment in the first grade.” If you are planning to send your child to public school for first grade, obtain a copy of your school district’s written policy and read it carefully and completely to learn their requirements for obtaining an exemption. Understand that, according to the Wisconsin Constitution, district schools “shall be free and without charge for tuition to all children between the ages of 4 and 20 years.” What this means is that public schools must accept all children who live in their districts, and cannot refuse to enroll your child.

This confusing state of the law has not been resolved by the legislature nor tested by the courts. Read more here: Is the Kindergarten requirement Enforceable?

If you continue homeschooling after kindergarten, this requirement does not apply to you.

If you enroll your child in a private school for first grade, this requirement does not apply to you.

If you enroll your child in public school in any grade other than first grade, this requirement does not apply to you.