Online homeschooling in Wisconsin is flexible and easy to start. Parents just need to submit a Notice of Intent every year and take full responsibility for their child’s educational experience. The state has minimal regulations, so the families have lots of freedom, and at the same time full responsibility of quality education – students success, organization, curriculum. So having a structured online school program is very important.
Below, you will understand how Wisconsin virtual schools work, learn the legal requirements, and see how programs like Legacy Online School can support families in this journey.
Quick takeaways:
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Online homeschooling in Wisconsin is legal and flexible.
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Parents should file PI-1206 Notice of Intent every year and guarantee 875 instructional hours.
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No teaching license and parent testing is required.
What Is Online Homeschooling?
Online homeschooling is the mix of traditional homeschooling and structured virtual learning. The difference is that instead of organizing all the online classes independently, families use online platforms where all the learning instructions are provided.
Parents still need to guarantee the academic excellence of the learners, but the virtual academy helps with daily instruction and easy organization.
Homeschooling Laws in Wisconsin
Homeschooling is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and is legally accepted.
As stated by law, to homeschool your child in Wisconsin, you must submit the PI-1206 Notice of Intent every year and provide minimum 875 hours of instruction yearly. All the core subjects should be taught and private educational program should be offered based on the individual learning needs of the child.
It’s a huge advantage that Wisconsin does not require standardized testings or regular reports to the state.
Based on all of these, today Wisconsin is considered as one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the U.S.
Required Subjects in Wisconsin
There are some areas and subjects that are required by law for homeschooling in Wisconsin. The list includes:
- Reading
- Language
- Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Health
Families are responsible for choosing how these subjects are taught and what materials are used.
Why Families Choose Online Homeschooling
Flexible Schedules
Students learn with the timeline comfortable for their family’s lifestyle. This flexibility is especially beneficial for working parents, athletes, and students with special education needs.
Personalized Learning Experience
Unlike public schools, with online learning children can pass faster the strong subjects and spend more time on the ones they need. This helps student to be more productive and interested.
Focused Environment
Virtual learning mostly minimizes distractions and offers a better environment where students have deeper concentration.
Parent Involvement
Online education lets parents be more involved in the child’s education with direct visibility into assignments, education programs, grades, and progress.
Socialization and Activities
Sometimes parents are afraid that if they choose virtual education, their child will be isolated from the world and the peers, but reality is very different. Learners of online school in Wisconsin often maintain active social lives outside the home, enrolling in different sport competitions, volunteering, being part of the field trips.
How to Start Online Homeschooling in Wisconsin
Enrollment in homeschooling in Wisconsin is easy and fast process.
Step 1: File the Notice of Intent
Submit the PI-1206 form to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Step 2: Choose a Curriculum
Choose independent teaching materials or an accredited virtual school.
Step 3: Plan Your Instruction
Make sure you provide minimum 875 instructional hours during the school year.
Step 4: Begin Learning
Start the learning journey of your child, track progress and keep records from your lessons.
