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The first step is filing the PI-1206 Homeschool Report with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on which you agree to comply with Wisconsin’s homeschooling law. Instructions on when and how to file the form are here. In signing the PI-1206 Homeschool Report, you are signing a legal affirmation that you will do the following:

• Provide 875 hours of instruction each academic year.

• Provide a “sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and health.”

• The program is not operated or instituted for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory school attendance requirement under Wisconsin law.

The next step is to read Wisconsin’s homeschooling law, so you can learn what is and is not required of you.  At least once a year, FISH offers a Homeschooling 101 workshop which is free and open to any homeschooler.  Please watch our website for this workshop, generally offered in the late summer.  
For more information about homeschooling in Wisconsin, visit Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association.

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No. However, it is highly encouraged and recommended that you keep attendance to show you have completed the 875 hours of instruction.  

There may be additional reasons that you would want to keep personal homeschooling records. Some of these reasons are:

• Keeping track of what has been learned in your homeschool

• To highlight what has been done over time

• To provide long-range perspective

• To offer a written demonstration of learning

• Useful in providing raw materials for applications, transcripts, and credentials

Records that you keep for your own purposes can take many forms and need not mimic the type of records kept in public schools – although the type of records you keep could be a consideration if your child attends public or private school in the future.

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Absolutely not! There are no special requirements or certifications for parents who choose to homeschool.

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No. Kindergarten is not mandatory in Wisconsin. Compulsory school attendance in Wisconsin begins the year the child turns 6 on or before September 1st. So, if your child is 4 or 5 years old on September 1st this year, they are not required to attend school and even if you are providing home-based educational activities for them, you are not required to fill out the PI-1206 for them.

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In Wisconsin, homeschools are on the same legal footing as public, private, and tribal schools, and therefore can award diplomas the same way other schools do.

There are no state mandated graduation requirements for homeschools.  Each homeschool creates its own set of requirements. As the administrator of your home-based private educational program you set the graduation requirements for your student. You can then award a diploma to the child that has met those requirements.

Many parents “work backwards” by looking at the requirements of the post-graduation options which their student may consider and then developing a high school curriculum that meets those requirements.

You can find more information and help at Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association. In addition, FISH often offers Parent meetings on topics such as this. These meetings are open to all homeschoolers (not just FISH members). Public meetings are posted on our website, so feel free to attend these if you are interested.

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We get this question often, but unfortunately the answer is no.

Virtual schools are not homeschools, even though children may be at home to do their schooling. Virtual schools and homeschools are not only legally very different but there are also practical differences. FISH exists to create a network of support for Christian homeschoolers in Wisconsin who file the PI-1206 in part because homeschoolers do not receive any financial or administrative support. More explanation can be found on our website here.

However, we understand fellowship is important! The FISH leadership team is to help you (or anyone) set up their own group for virtual schoolers if you are interested.  Please reach out and ask if you’d like assistance creating your own networking group!

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Yes!  We keep an updated link to local resources. Click here to see it.

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Making friends as a homeschooler is a bit harder than in public school, but it definitely is still able to happen! The key is consistency. Kids need to see the same faces in activities they do and this will create friendships among them. Some activities which homeschoolers make friends at are: sports and gym classes, co-ops such as FLAME, and through activities that FISH supports. We currently have teen activities, clubs, field trips, and events scheduled to help foster these friendships.

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Yes! There is a parent-led graduation ceremony open to homeschoolers. It is run by the South Central Wisconsin Christian Home Educators. It is open to any and all homeschoolers in south-central Wisconsin and is generally held at a local church. Each year the graduating class and their parents help plan and pay for the ceremony. Watch the FISH Forum (if you are a member) and other local homeschooling groups for information about this ceremony.  

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Yes!  Homeschoolers are allowed to order Overture Center tickets just like public and private schools.  For Overture Center current season shows and to order tickets for the OnStage Student Field Trips Click Here .  To see current shows and order tickets for Children’s Theatre of Madison Click Here .  American Players Theatre in Spring Green (an outdoor theater) also has Student Matinee shows that homeschoolers can attend.  Click Here for current shows and ticket information. 

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FISH offers Parent Meetings throughout the year. These meetings are open to all homeschoolers (not just FISH members). Public meetings are posted on our website, so feel free to attend these if you are interested. If you have immediate questions, please contact the FISH general mailbox at [email protected] . We can find someone who can answer your question.

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Click here to find our registration page!