Catholic Homeschooling in Wisconsin
How to Homeschool in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, homeschools are called “home-based private educational programs.” Follow these steps to start homeschooling in Wisconsin:
1. File a statement of enrollment with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) each year.
2. Ensure that the main purpose of your homeschool is to provide private or religious-based education.
3. Ensure that your homeschool is privately controlled.
4. Provide at least 875 hours of instruction each school year.
5. Teach the required subjects of reading, language arts, math, social studies, science, and health.
6. Teach a curriculum that is sequentially progressive through concepts and skills.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Home School Information
This webpage offers information about notification, state statutes related to homeschooling, statistics, and district contact information.
How to Comply with Wisconsin’s Homeschool Law
How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Wisconsin
Special Education Provisions for Wisconsin
The Importance of Recordkeeping in Wisconsin
Lobbying & Advocacy Organizations
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
HSLDA is the nation’s largest homeschool advocacy organization. They protect the rights of homeschoolers in court, advocate for homeschool freedom in state legislatures, and work to advance homeschooling in the public arena.
Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association (WHPA)
Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association is a state-wide, inclusive, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the right and freedom of parents to provide an education to their children according to their own principles and beliefs.
Catholic Homeschool Support Groups
Catholic Homeschoolers of Wisconsin (CHOW)
Wisconsin
This website aims to connect Catholic homeschooling families across the state of Wisconsin.
Greater Milwaukee Catholic Home Educators
Milwaukee, WI area including Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, Walworth, and Jefferson counties.
This is a Catholic homeschool support group serving nearly 200 families in Southeastern Wisconsin. They have families in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, Walworth, and Jefferson Counties. Activities include park days, gym class, graduation, parents’ meetings, information and support. GMCHE Facebook group.
Holy Family Homeschoolers
Madison Diocese, WI
Holy Family Homeschoolers is a Catholic homeschooling support group serving the Madison Diocese. Their aim is to support one another in the important mission of raising children who are well-rounded spiritually, academically, and socially, and who are, therefore, equipped to blaze trails for God and pursue sainthood. They offer an enrichment co-op program, field trips, sports, spelling and geography bee, science fair, Lego league, an annual Science Olympiad, Little Flowers, moms night out, parent circle meetings, service opportunities, liturgical and feast day celebrations, and more.
Our Lady, Queen of All Saints Central Wisconsin Homeschool Conference
Merrill, WI, Central Wisconsin
This conference offers speakers, vendors, and connections for homeschooling families in central Wisconsin.
Rockford Area Roman Catholic Home Educators (RARCHE)
Rockford, IL, Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin
RARCHE is a network of Catholic homeschool families serving Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.
Splendor of Truth Catholic Home Educators (SOTCHE)
Southeastern Wisconsin, Northeastern Illinois, Racine, WI, Lake Bluff, IL, McHenry County, IL, Kenosha, WI, Gurnee, IL
Splendor of Truth Catholic Home Educators (SOTCHE) is a group of homeschooling families in Wisconsin and Illinois. All members adhere to and respect the Magisterium and Catechism of the Catholic Church. They share information relevant to home educators, including advice on homeschooling, activities for children, and shared learning experiences. Activities include field trips, co-op, gym classes, support meetings for moms, moms’ book club, and more.
Catholic Homeschool Co-ops
Classically Catholic Memory Co-op
Fennimore, WI
Classically Catholic Memory is a memory work program that is both Catholic and classical in nature. It is designed for children ages 5 through 12, and each year of the program provides 18 weeks of memory work in each subject. CCM is run as a co-op model.
Holy Family Homeschoolers
Madison Diocese, WI
Holy Family Homeschoolers is a Catholic homeschooling support group serving the Madison Diocese. Their aim is to support one another in the important mission of raising children who are well-rounded spiritually, academically, and socially, and who are, therefore, equipped to blaze trails for God and pursue sainthood. They offer an enrichment co-op program, field trips, sports, spelling and geography bee, science fair, Lego league, an annual Science Olympiad, Little Flowers, moms night out, parent circle meetings, service opportunities, liturgical and feast day celebrations, and more.
Raising Saints Homeschooling Co-op
Kenosha, WI
This homeschool co-op serves families from Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Therese Catholic Churches in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Splendor of Truth Catholic Home Educators (SOTCHE)
Southeastern Wisconsin, Northeastern Illinois, Racine, WI, Lake Bluff, IL, McHenry County, IL, Kenosha, WI, Gurnee, IL
Splendor of Truth Catholic Home Educators (SOTCHE) is a group of homeschooling families in Wisconsin and Illinois. All members adhere to and respect the Magisterium and Catechism of the Catholic Church. They share information relevant to home educators, including advice on homeschooling, activities for children, and shared learning experiences. Activities include field trips, co-op, gym classes, support meetings for moms, moms’ book club, and more.
St. Albert the Great Catholic Homeschool Co-op
Sun Prairie, WI
St. Albert the Great Homeschool Co-op connects homeschool families for socialization, faith, and fun. This co-op serves children 0-18 and meets twice a month. They offer field trips, feast day celebrations, and more.
Do you know of any Catholic homeschool co-ops near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Hybrid Programs & Homeschool Academies
Catholic Schoolhouse
Appleton, Green Bay, Madison, Madison South, Milwaukee, Stevens Point, West Bend, Wausau, WI
Catholic Schoolhouse is a supplemental program designed to help homeschool families enrich their educational experience through a flexible approach to learning inspired by classical elements presented in a structure environment. They serve students in grades K-8 and meet once a week during the school year.
Do you know of any Catholic hybrid homeschool programs or homeschool academies near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Catholic Homeschool Conferences
The 2024 Catholic Homeschool Conference
Virtual Conference
June 7-8, 2024
Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference & Curriculum Fair
St. Paul College, St. Paul, MN
May 31 – June 1, 2024
After a 3-year hiatus, the Minnesota Catholic Home Education and Curriculum Conference is back! This annual conference is one of the largest Catholic homeschooling conferences in the country. Listen to speakers from around the country and meet other homeschoolers from your area. Conference attendees can browse through the vendors hall, go to workshops and talks, and network with other homeschoolers. Keynote Speaker 2023: Pam Barnhill, Host of the Your Morning Basket Podcast
Our Lady – Queen of All Saints Central Wisconsin Homeschool Conference
Merrill, WI
Date TBA
This conference offers homeschool talks, social time, a homeschool used book and curriculum sale, and exhibitors.
Local Classes & Programs for Homeschoolers
Do you know of any great local classes or programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Sports for Homeschoolers
Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Wisconsin
Homeschooled students in Wisconsin can participate in sports and extracurricular activities on the same basis and to the same extent as public-school students. State law does not authorize school districts to require a homeschooled student to “enroll” before participating in courses, sports, or other extracurricular activities.
Do you know of any great sports programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Diocese & Parish Resources
Shrines & Pilgrimages in Wisconsin
Do you know of any Catholic pilgrimage sites or shrines that would be perfect for a homeschool field trip? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Field Trips in Wisconsin
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