WI

Low regulation

Wisconsin homeschool recordkeeping requirements

Recordkeeping is where many families either overcomplicate things or accidentally keep too little. This page separates what Wisconsin appears to require from what is smart to keep for transfers, high school, college, and peace of mind.

Plain-English note: this is a parent guide, not legal advice. Use the official source links at the bottom of the page before a deadline or filing decision.

Current recordkeeping summary

Wisconsin does not appear to impose heavy ongoing homeschool paperwork beyond the annual PI-1206 filing, but families should keep copies of every PI-1206 form, attendance or hour records showing 875 hours, curriculum and course lists, work samples, and high school records. The Wisconsin DPI says submitted PI-1206 forms are retained for seven years and parents remain responsible for keeping their own copies.

Attendance or hours connection

At least 875 hours of instruction each school year.

Testing and evaluation records

No statewide testing is required for independent homeschoolers. Frequency: Not required.

Practical parent record file

  1. 1Notice, affidavit, umbrella-school enrollment, or withdrawal copies if applicable.
  2. 2Attendance or school-days tracker if your state requires days/hours or if you want a clean audit trail.
  3. 3Curriculum list by subject and grade level.
  4. 4Work samples or portfolio highlights for reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.
  5. 5Test results, evaluation letters, report cards, or progress summaries if applicable.
  6. 6High-school course descriptions, credits, grades, and transcript drafts for grades 9–12.

Source caveat

This site summarizes public source material and should be verified against current Wisconsin agency guidance before a compliance deadline.

Free printables

Download the homeschool starter kit

Print these before you start: a state startup checklist, letter-of-intent template, attendance tracker, and high-school transcript template.

View all downloads

These printables are general planning tools, not legal advice. Always verify the current rule on your state page and official source links before filing deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

What records do homeschoolers keep in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin does not appear to impose heavy ongoing homeschool paperwork beyond the annual PI-1206 filing, but families should keep copies of every PI-1206 form, attendance or hour records showing 875 hours, curriculum and course lists, work samples, and high school records. The Wisconsin DPI says submitted PI-1206 forms are retained for seven years and parents remain responsible for keeping their own copies.

Do I need attendance records in Wisconsin?

At least 875 hours of instruction each school year.

Should I keep more than the minimum?

Usually yes. A simple folder with notice paperwork, attendance, curriculum, samples, and test/evaluation results makes transfers, high school planning, and future questions much easier.

Tie records to the full startup checklist

Records are easier when you know which steps Wisconsin expects first.

How to homeschool in Wisconsin